What do chocolate, puppies, and a brisk walk have in
common? These things can all make us happier throughout the day, and
they can all be incorporated into your company culture to inspire a happier workforce.
So what do most top-notch company cultures have in common? Let's call it the happiness factor.
Research has found happy employees work harder and are more productive than their less cheerful counterparts. In fact, recent research from the University of Warwick discovered happiness increases productivity by up to 12 percent.
This probably explains why the top employers usually enjoy
more-robust bottom lines. In fact, a mere 1 percent rise in employee
engagement at a single Best Buy store equalled $100,000 more in the store's annual operating budget.
Happy workers are also more likely to stick around. Companies on Fortune's list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For had increased retention,
even in the high turnover field of tech. Among the best tech companies,
the turnover rate was 5.9 percent, while the turnover rate for the
industry at large was more than double at 14.4 percent.
It's no coincidence that Pharrell Williams' song "Happy"
has become this spring's anthem. The song is so remarkable to us that we
at Pluto.TV dedicated a whole channel to 24/7 "Happy."
If you're also looking for some ways to bring out the smiles in your office, here are five happiness hacks to get you started:
1. Chocolate improves everything.
Is there anything chocolate can't do? If there is, we haven't encountered it yet. Researchers from the University of Warwick
gave study participants a test. But before the test, they got a little
something sweet. Participants who had chocolate beforehand actually did
10 to 12 percent better than their candy-free counterparts.
What does this mean for your company culture? Should you go
out and buy a chocolate fountain? Maybe not, but it can't hurt to have
the sweet treat around the office. Workers like to snack during the day,
and your team might need a sugary pick-me-up, especially as the
afternoon grows longer. Providing a little chocolate in the break room
for those with a sweet tooth is a quick and easy way to improve mood
and, it turns out, productivity.
2. Get moving.
It's time to think about your company's employee wellness
program. Healthy employees are happier, more likely to show up, and more
likely to add positive value to your company. Companies from L.L. Bean to Johnson & Johnson
have invested in wellness programs because they know employees who feel
their best also put their best foot forward at work, not just on their
morning jog.
Plus, the endorphins released during exercise can lead to
an improved mood. Your wellness program could be as complicated as a
large-scale, incentivized initiative or as simple as getting the team to
take a yoga class or a long walk during lunch. Whatever you decide,
make sure wellness and movement become important parts of your company
cultures.
3. Bring Fido to work.
Could a pooch be your company's best friend? Research has
found employees are more productive, happier, and less stressed when
they can bring their four-legged friends into the office. A 2010 study
by Central Michigan University discovered just the presence of a dog in the office led to employees collaborating more effectively.
A pet-friendly office won't be right for every
organization, but you might want to consider the policy. After all,
research from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business
found having animals in the workplace buffers stress and makes the job
more satisfying. Pet lovers will be happier having Mr. Whiskers or Spot
in the office, and taking pets for walks throughout the day can help
keep your best people moving, combat stress, and return to their work
refreshed.
4. Provide feedback.
Your team craves feedback, yet much of corporate communication seems perilously broken. In a recent survey by Fierce, Inc.,
less than one-third of employees said their company would be willing to
change practices based on employee feedback. When employees don't feel
heard, they don't feel respected or happy in the workplace. When this
happens, they begin to dream of greener pastures.
Improve your existing employee feedback program or
implement one that actually listens to the ideas of your best people.
Set up a quarterly or monthly meeting where the whole team can talk
through smart suggestions, and be sure to recognize when the company has
implemented an employee-suggested concept. This way, your team can see
their contributions and feedback really do matter.
5. Give back.
Most employees want to work for a company they can be proud
of, and this means giving back and doing good in the world. This is
especially important for Millennial workers: Research by the Intelligence Group discovered 64 percent of Millennials say making the world a better place is a professional priority.
Your company needs to be more socially responsible and more
in touch with your local community. You know the good feeling you get
after you've done something great for another person? This is the kind
of happiness with which you want to empower your team.
Get out in the local community and see how you can help,
start a volunteer drive, or even offer volunteer days off. You don't
have to be a charity in order to make a difference, and your do-gooder
employees will likely feel good as well.
Happy employees are more productive workers, so it's time
to make happiness a priority for your company culture. Using some of
these outside-of-the-box methods, you can give your team a smile and
give your company a productivity boost.
Source: www.inc.com
