How to Create a Positive Work Environment
A company is only as good as its employees. If you have unproductive, unengaged staff, you can guarantee their attitude and approach to work will be reflected in your products and services. Every employer who wants to flourish and grow must learn how to create a positive work environment.
Workplace Safety
Members of staff will not want to work for an employer who provides an unsafe environment. If they do, they would have every right to contact personal injury solicitors in Manchester like Garratts Solicitors following an accident or injury. Every business owner has both a legal and moral obligation to adhere to their health and safety regulations, so they can continually provide a safe, positive working environment for every employee. If an employee feel at unease when working, then they won’t work to their full potential.
Positive Reinforcement
A few little kind words can go along way in business. How you talk to people can determine your success or failure in your chosen industry. It’s important to remember that you could not run your business optimally without your employees, which is why you must look for ways to praise your staff when possible. Positive reinforcement is a great way to boost employee satisfaction, engagement and retention, as they will know they are making an impact on the business every day. So, say things like “I appreciate the way…” or “you’re really good at…” to make individuals feel valued.
Be Friendly
People will want to work hard for a friendly, approachable employer. That’s why it’s so important to learn people’s names, smile at members of staff and to say ‘hi’ first thing in the morning. However, aim to be as genuine as possible in your greetings, which will allow people to naturally warm to you. You can be a tough cookie and a friendly employer. You don’t have to choose.
Celebrate Successes
Start every meeting by sharing something positive not only about the business, but about your staff’s successes. Single someone out for a job well done, or thank a department for all their hard work on a project. Also, make a note on who you have thanked recently, so you can look for ways to recognize other valuable members of staff who might otherwise feel undervalued in their role.
Encourage Workplace Fun
An uneventful, dull office environment will lead to a lack of motivation, creativity and job satisfaction. It’s important to provide the right balance of work and play in the office, so people can chat, laugh and have a little fun. For example, you should provide a fun breakout area for people to relax and unwind on a break, and you could introduce casual Fridays or themed days, which requires people to come to work in fancy dress or pajamas.
Random Acts of Kindness
Everyone loves something for nothing. Show your staff how much they are all valued with a random act of kindness. For example, you could order pizzas for everyone in the office, bring in snacks for employees to share, or you can present them all with a bottle of beer or glass of wine at the end of the working week. It will make people want to jump out of bed and come back to work on Monday morning.