Happy employees are more productive than their peers at work. That’s according to new data from the University of Warwick. In fact, this body of research cites that those happy employees are 12 percent more productive than their counterparts in the office. Additionally, a recent Gallup poll found that only 13 percent of the employees that were surveyed were engaged at work. When you break down the data, that means that the majority of the workforce isn’t satisfied, or happy with their job. This costs companies upward of $550 billion annually, according to a State of the American Workplace report.
These statistics cannot be ignored. Here’s what you can do to boost happiness and productivity in the workplace.
Give ‘Em a Break
Short break times can work wonders for office productivity levels. A short, five-minute walk outside can invigorate a person, get the blood flowing and inspire, new creative ideas. Your people will come back into the office feeling refreshed and ready to work.
Provide Big Picture Goals
Giving your employees long-term goals can help them see the future of the business and their role within company. These goals should be talked about in performance reviews and regularly discussed during meetings.
Create a Quiet Space
Meditation can work wonders for both the mind and body. Consider creating a quiet space in the office where employees can relax and meditate away from the hustle and bustle of the office. Meditation can recharge your employees’ batteries, making them more productive at their desks.
Offer Snacks
It’s common for managers and business owners to provide snacks for employees, however, sometimes these snacks can be detrimental to productivity levels. Instead of offering snacks like pretzels and chips that are full of sugars, offer snacks that are high in both fiber and protein as these snacks can power your people throughout the entire workday.
Allow Afternoon Naps
Innovative companies across the country are embracing the power of the nap with private nap pods on site. Recent research and medical studies have shown that naps taken early on in the afternoon can actually increase alertness, productivity and naps can even lift a person’s mood. Short regenerative naps, 15 to 20-minutes long, can boost employee focus and energy, making the office a more productive place to work.
Encourage Fitness
Exercise helps to promote many aspects of life, including productivity at work and happiness. Staying fit also improves a person’s mental health, prevents illness like diabetes and boosts alertness and energy, all good things for business owners when it comes to running a business. Consider offering memberships or discounts to a top gym like 24 Hour Fitness with accessible clubs around the country, for example, to keep your workplace fit and happy.
Grant Unlimited Vacation Time
Companies like IBM and Netflix have embraced this new vacation standard. And it seems to be paying off for both employees and their bosses. In fact, unlimited vacation policies do not create slackers like many might initially think, it actually ensures productivity. Today people are on the clock more than ever, which leads to fatigue and stress. Remember the Gallup statistic which found that only 13 percent of workers were engaged at work? Just because the chairs are full doesn’t mean work is getting done. More vacation time, or unlimited vacation perhaps, might just be the solution to create a more productive workplace.
