Creating A Happier Workplace: Practical Tips For Every Leader

Most companies worldwide give lip service to the idea that their employees are their greatest assets. But the latest statistics fail to reflect that.

Gallup's Sate of the Global Workforce report found that,

6 in 10 people are emotionally detached. Even worse, 18% are miserable.

Many companies are failing to understand the importance of nurturing happiness at work.

But trust us when we say you cannot impress your employees only with bonuses anymore. Your employees must feel delighted working in your organization. They must be genuinely happy.

So, in this blog, we'll provide some ways through which you can better foster and boost happiness at work.

What is Happiness at Work?

Happiness at work can be defined as a state of fulfilment or contentment that employees experience when they feel valued, engaged, and aligned with their work.

Alexander Kjerulf, a leading expert on workplace happiness, defines happiness as the extent to which employees feel good about their jobs and can perform to the best of their ability.

Happy employees ensure happy customers. And happy customers ensure happy shareholders- in that order.
~ Simon Sinek

What is the Correlation between Happiness and Productivity

A Forbes study revealed that happy employees are as much as 20% more productive in the workplace than unhappy employees.

Another report by the University of Warwick found that happy employees are 12% more productive than unhappy employees.

Happy employees are more engaged in their work and feel a sense of purpose. Having a greater sense of purpose in work leads to increased focus. 100% focus and dedication are a key to better productivity.

Happy employees can also be more creative and innovative. Their state of mind allows them to be better problem solvers. They are also more likely to come up with better ideas and think differently.

Happiness at work also fosters a supportive and collaborative environment. Happy, content employees are contagious and can improve the workplace culture.

Moreover, you'll be glad to know that happy employees do not just affect the workplace culture. They also impact on the bottom line. One of the Gallup's research demonstrates that companies with highly engaged employees see a 21% profit increase.

So, be it productivity, workplace culture, or profitability, happy employees have the power to influence them all—and for the better.

6 Practical Tips for a Happier Workplace

Finding happiness at work is key to staying positive and feeling fulfilled both personally and professionally. Although every workplace has its challenges, there are effective ways to keep that happy vibe going.

Here are 6 simple strategies to help you create a more enjoyable and satisfying work environment.

1. Mindfulness and Stress Management Techniques

Source: Vantage Fit

Taking a moment to breathe and focus can make all the difference during a hectic workday. Mindfulness practices like meditation or deep breathing exercises help employees stay calm and focused. Activities like these make it easier to manage stress and stay positive.

2. Building Resilience and Adaptability

Resiliency is the ability to spring back from and successfully adapt to adversity.
~ Han Henderson

Resilience and adaptability are like muscles. They grow stronger with use. Encouraging employees to embrace change and bounce back from challenges helps create a more supportive and positive workplace.

3. Setting Achievable Goals

When goals are realistic, reaching them feels rewarding rather than overwhelming. Breaking down larger objectives into smaller, manageable tasks helps employees stay focused and motivated.

Celebrating these small wins along the way is vital as they build momentum and a sense of accomplishment. Employees feel confident when they see progress and know they're on the right track.

4. Finding Meaning in Work

Work feels more fulfilling when it aligns with personal values and goals. Helping employees connect their tasks to a larger purpose can foster a deeper sense of meaning and satisfaction in their roles.

5. Cultivating Gratitude

Gratitude has the power to heal brokenness and bring hope in the face of despair.
~Adrian Gostick

Gratitude can shift the focus from what's lacking to what's going well. Sometimes, simple appreciation, whether between colleagues or from leadership, can make the workplace feel more positive and supportive, enhancing overall happiness.

6. Employee Engagement Strategies

Keeping employees engaged isn't just about keeping them busy. It's about involving them in meaningful work and recognizing their contributions.

Effective employee engagement strategies, like offering development opportunities and fostering open communication, can lead to a more connected and satisfied workforce.


So, there you have it—six practical tips to make your workplace happier and more engaging. Give them a try, and you'll likely notice a more positive and productive vibe around the office.

Tune in to our Podcast on: Cultivating Employee Delight In The Workplace

How To Overcome Challenges to Workplace Happiness

Let’s face it—finding happiness at work isn’t always easy. We all deal with tough days and tricky situations.

But fortunately, there are some practical ways to tackle these challenges and foster happy workplace.

1. Addressing Employee Burnout

Employee burnout is characterized by

• Emotional exhaustion,

• A sense of detachment

• Reduced performance.

It's crucial to foster a culture of balance where employees are encouraged to take breaks, set boundaries, and seek support when needed. Leadership should prioritize mental health and implement strategies that allow for manageable workloads and time for recovery.

Addressing burnout restores energy and creativity and contributes to long-term workplace happiness.

2. Dealing with Workplace Conflict

Effective conflict resolution in the workplace involves

• Open communication

• Active listening, and

• A focus on finding mutually beneficial solutions.

When you can create a culture where issues can be discussed openly and constructively, your organizations can turn conflict into an opportunity for growth and collaboration. A collaborative work environment is crucial for long-term happiness at work.

3. Managing Change

Change is inevitable in the workplace, and it often brings uncertainty and stress. However, stress due to change can be managed.

Successfully managing change begins with clear and transparent communication. You've to ensure that everyone understands the
reasons behind the change,

• what it entails, and

• how it will impact them.

Such clarity reduces anxiety and builds trust.

Support is also crucial during times of change. So, provide your employees the training, resources, and time to adapt. You must not forget to create opportunities for feedback, allowing your team to voice their concerns and suggestions. Involving them in the process makes the transition smoother. And empowers them to take ownership of the change.

4. Building a Sense of Belonging

A sense of belonging is a fundamental aspect of workplace happiness. When employees feel connected to their colleagues and aligned with the company's values, they are more engaged and motivated.

But building a sense of belonging will require intentional efforts on your part. You've to come up with engaging and inclusive team-building activities or mentorship programs.
"A workplace where everyone feels they belong is one where happiness can thrive." Remember this mantra, and you'll never fail to keep your employees happy.

4 Key Ways To Measuring Employee Happiness

It's important to understand how happy your employees are. But how do you measure something as personal and subjective as happiness.

While it might be tricky to measure employee happiness directly, you can certainly gauge employee satisfaction. Here are some effective ways to assess how satisfied your employees are feeling.

1. Employee Satisfaction Surveys

Employee Satisfaction is a measurement of an employee's "happiness" with current job and conditions.
~ADP Research Institute

Employee satisfaction survey are structured questionnaires or sets of questions designed to assess how content and fulfilled employees feel across all aspects of work.

These surveys meticulously analyze the employee experience, from company culture to manager relationships and everything in between.

Regular satisfaction surveys, whether monthly, quarterly, or annually, offer a reliable pulse check for your organization. It can be of great help while you're trying to assess how happy your employees are.

Source: Vantage Pulse

2. Keeping a Check on the Absenteeism Rates

High employee absenteeism can be a red flag indicating low employee morale or dissatisfaction. By tracking absenteeism rates, you can identify patterns or spikes that might correlate with periods of low happiness or stress.

For instance, frequent unexplained absences might suggest that employees are disengaged or unhappy with their work environment.

3. Turnover Rates

Job dissatisfaction has led to an increase in workplace absenteeism, with rates as high as 15% in some industries.

Turnover rates reveal how often employees leave the company. High turnover can signal dissatisfaction or a lack of engagement. Analyzing exit interviews and employee feedback from departing employees can provide insights into why they decide to leave.

It can help to pinpoint areas where happiness and retention strategies might need improvement.

Do Give a Read: A Guide On How To Calculate The Employee Turnover Rate

4. Customer Satisfaction Reviews

Gallup Research found that engaged employees are likelier to consistently show up, remain committed to quality and safety, and contribute positively to customer relationships.

Customer satisfaction often reflects the happiness of your employees. Employees who are engaged and upbeat tend to provide better service, boosting customer satisfaction. Keeping an eye on customer feedback and satisfaction scores can give you clues about how your team is doing. And whether their happiness is influencing their work.

If you're seeing low customer satisfaction, it might be time to look at employee morale and see if there are areas for improvement.

Do Give a Read: How Employee Satisfaction can lead to Customer Satisfaction

So, these are some of the ways in which you can measure how happy your employees are.

Finally!

Creating a happier workplace involves a mix of mindfulness, resilience, achievable goals, meaningful work, gratitude, and engagement. Focusing on these areas can foster a positive environment where employees feel valued and motivated.

Happy employees thrive and contribute to a more prosperous and vibrant workplace.

This article is written by Sanjeevani Saikia who is a Content Marketing Specialist at Vantage Circle. Esteemed for cultivating recognition and people-first cultures, Sanjeevani also hosts the Vantage Influencers Podcast, where she engages with global HR leaders to uncover critical industry insights. For any related queries, contact editor@vantagecircle.com.