The 8/10 Happy Employee

Learn How to Boost Workplace Happiness for Your Employees

Recently, one of the leaders at my workplace asked me to rate my happiness level from 1 to 10 on that particular day. Intrigued by this request, I told them that I am not quite sure how to measure my happiness for this question, and they shared an insightful tip.

They suggested comparing my happiness at work with my personal life and life in general, taking into account how much work is contributing to making my overall life better or more complicated than it should be. This advice gave me a good perspective on how to assess my happiness levels so I thought about it for a few seconds and shared my feedback.

I told them that day was an 8, even though it was not an exceptionally good day. On great days I feel a 9 or 10. But it rarely goes below 8. Even though I am someone who is generally intrinsically motivated, I realized that feeling an 8 on a regular day, and also often even a 9 or 10, means that my company is definitely giving me what I need to be happy at work. Inspired by this conversation, I decided to share some creative and insightful ways that businesses might use to empower their staff in taking joy at work.

1. Building a Positive Work Culture

Employee happiness depends on a pleasant work environment, and if this still isn’t something that applies to the entire organization, a leader might start by influencing this culture within their own team. One way to create a positive work environment is by celebrating successes, big and small. For example, when a project is completed successfully, just organize a simple “only-appreciation” meeting and let everyone know how much their hard work is valued.

Another fun idea is to create a “gratitude wall” where employees can write down things they’re grateful for. The outcome of that would be brilliant, regardless of whether it is about showing appreciation to a coworker who helped them out with a work-related matter, or about a coworker who met them for coffee and helped them positively change their view on life or overcome a personal challenge. This helps to foster a sense of appreciation and positivity, which can go a really long way in boosting employee happiness.

2. Offering Competitive Compensation and Benefits

Let’s face it: Money talks. And if you’re not paying your employees a fair salary year by year or providing them with decent benefits, they’re going to start looking for greener pastures (and by “greener pastures,” I mean “job postings on LinkedIn”). But competitive compensation and benefits aren’t just about keeping your employees from jumping ship. They’re also about showing your employees that you value their hard work and want to reward them for it.

Consider offering “mental health days” where employees can take a day off just to focus on their well-being, or a “learning stipend” where employees can use company funds to take a class or attend a conference in a field of their choice. Another fun idea is to organize a lunchtime speaker session. Everyone’s needs to eat, right? Why not arrange for everyone to enjoy a catered lunch and listen to a session led by a speaker who will inspire them and provoke their thoughts? This is a great way to keep employees engaged (and ensuring they take a mid-day break too).

3. Providing Opportunities for Growth and Development

Imagine you’re a potted plant, and your boss is your gardener. Without water, sunlight, and occasional pruning, you’ll wither away and become a sad, wilted mess. But with the right and regular care and attention, you’ll grow, blossom, and thrive. The same goes for your employees. If you want them to be happy and productive, you need to provide them with opportunities for growth and development. That could mean anything from on-the-job training to mentorship programs or paying for their online courses.

And why not take it a step further? Consider setting up a “knowledge exchange” program, where employees from different departments can swap roles for a day or a week to learn about other aspects of the business. For example, the marketing team could spend a day working with the customer service team, and vice versa. This not only encourages personal growth, but it also fosters a sense of community and understanding between departments.

4. Embracing Flexibility and Encouraging Work-Life Balance

Your employees are human beings, not machines. They have families, hobbies, and personal lives outside of work. And if you want them to be happy and productive, you need to respect that. Encouraging work-life balance means giving your employees the flexibility and autonomy to manage their time and priorities. That could mean offering remote work options, allowing flexible hours, or encouraging your employees to take vacation time (and actually mean it).

What else can you offer? Consider implementing “flexible Fridays” where employees can work on their own projects or take a half-day to pursue a hobby or passion. This is incredibly beneficial during the summer, when everyone is looking forward to enjoy a long and sunny weekend. By promoting work-life balance, you’ll not only keep your employees happy and healthy, but you will also have them back to work on Mondays with no plans to switch employers in the near future.

5. Providing Opportunities for Social Connection

Social connection is a crucial aspect of happiness, and it’s important for employers to recognize this. Even introverts require social interaction, though they are more selective when it comes to enjoying it. However, as an employer who knows its employees, you can offer various opportunities and socializing options for all of your employees, allowing them to make the best decision for themselves.

Consider organizing regular team-energizing events, such as a fun-and-learn seminars held in different cities or monthly social gatherings. You could also consider setting up “permanent buddy programs” where employees are paired with a colleague who has similar interests so they can connect over topics they both enjoy. You can help the creation of some outstanding work friendships with just a list of your employees’ personal interests and a little bit of magic.

“If you want something to happen, you have to make people able and you have to make them want to”

— Dr. Steve Kerr

In conclusion, promoting employee happiness should be a top priority for every employer. Employees are more likely to be engaged and put in extra effort at work when they feel respected, supported, and fulfilled. Your employees are the backbone of your business, and investing in their happiness is investing in your business’s success. And remember, a happy workplace is like a good joke: it takes some effort to set up, but once you get it right, everyone is laughing.

Until next time!