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Every manager wants to welcome their staff members into a healthy, happy and productive working environment.
In theory, it sounds like it should be relatively straightforward to create. Make sure everyone is content and feels confident and comfortable enough to raise any concerns.
Simple enough, right?
But far too many employers fail to provide an ideal environment in practice. Maybe it’s the pressure cooker environment that impending deadlines seem to bring about? Maybe it’s a lack of collective spirit?
Whatever the reason, the vast majority of employers struggle to create the kind of environment people want to work in.
If you’re not sure whether your workplace is a healthy one to ply your trade in, here are X different things you can look at.
Communicate constantly and honestly
One of the most important aspects of a healthy workplace is also one of the simplest: communication. Taking the time to speak to your employees as often as possible is one of the easiest ways to ensure everyone is happy. Developing strong, battle-tested relationships with your staff is likely to make them feel comfortable enough to voice any concerns they may have.
As we go back to office settings post-lockdown, these relationships will help us to have the resilience we’ll need to ease back into the normal way of doing things.
Give employees some flexibility
Another prized aspect of a healthy workplace is flexibility. If it’s attending medical appointments, dashing out for family emergencies, or taking ownership of setting their weekly hours, employees appreciate this kind of flexibility.
It shows a level of empathy for the unexpected obstacles that everyday life can throw up and this kind of gesture will be reciprocated by staff members with hard work.
Empower employees
Every employee wants to be afforded a certain level of responsibility. Whether that’s ownership of the outcomes of their work, due credit for any strategies that they’ve developed or an understanding that their voice is always heard.
Feeling unvalued or as if their voice carries little weight in the office is sure to create a downtrodden employee.
By granting them the power to make decisions, take charge of their area of expertise and give them a sense of responsibility, you can create empowered employees that feel like they belong.
It also means that everyone holds each other accountable. When you’re allocated a responsibility, it means you have to take it incredibly seriously and hold up your end of the bargain. This helps create an environment where everyone shares responsibility.
Promote wellness
A healthier organisation is a happier one. Employers can incentivise their staff members to participate in physical activity through a variety of education, schemes and discounts. There’s already a cycle to work scheme operating in the UK where employees can get discounts on bikes.
Even if you don’t have the resources or relationships to give your staff access to gyms and equipment, you can at least broadcast the benefits of physical activity to everyone who works there.
You may also like: Preparing Your Office For The Return Of Employees During COVID-19
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