When you expand your business and employ staff, you’re also taking on a responsibility. Employee happiness, morale, and motivation are crucial not only from an ethical standpoint but also as the cornerstone of a happier, more productive organization. Taking care of employees who put in the effort should be a continual concern if you want to create a strong business. Everyone wants to be a part of a forward-thinking company where their well-being isn’t just a catchphrase, but a strategic priority. Put in the effort and you’ll soon see the results – and with the high expense and inconvenience of recruiting, it’s also a good idea to keep worker turnover low. But where do you start with keeping people happy and healthy if you’re new to managing people?
Take Mental Health Seriously
Where it used to be brushed under the rug, mental health is now getting the attention it deserves, and the public debate around it is much more open – which means employers must be on the same page. In order to prevent minor occurrences from turning into major difficulties, and to encourage employees to self-monitor and self-manage their stress levels, effective training and assistance are required. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance and encouraging employees to take breaks from their workstations and engage in physical exercise outside of the office are two ways to achieve this. For every company, training in mental health assistance is an excellent idea.
Make the effort to print and display self-help guides and inspirational quotes for employees to look at. Companies like Aura Print let you create custom banners to hang in your workplace that will help improve overall employee morale and give them valuable information that could help their mental health.
Take Care of Employees’ Physical Health
It’s also important to ensure that employees are physically well cared for as part of the equation. If you work in a warehouse or have machinery, you must always wear PPE and follow all health and safety regulations. If you work in an office, you might believe there aren’t many concerns, but sitting at a desk for most of the day can have a number of negative effects on your health. Encourage workers to set up and use the equipment on their workstations correctly by having walking meetings, taking frequent screen breaks, and receiving DSE training. Additionally, ensure that you are providing routine eye exams and urging individuals to remain hydrated and move about every thirty minutes or so.
Provide Workplace Flexibility
For those of us who work in a project-based setting, it’s imperative that we abandon the traditional work ethic of presenteeism. The use of flexible working practices is becoming normal in most businesses as a means of both attracting and retaining top talent, as well as keeping employees satisfied. Work-life balance is improved when workers may choose their own working hours and take diverse lunch breaks. Establishing a fair system that allows for some flexibility has been demonstrated to enhance employee motivation, loyalty, and production, making it a win-win scenario in most cases.
