5 Simple Ways to Create a Positive, Safe, and Productive Workplace
The space where we do our work matters. Positive work environments greatly influence not only your employees’ attitude toward their job and coworkers but also their performance and productivity!
In fact, a recent study from Deloitte found that a positive work environment:
- Increases employee happiness by as much as 33%
- Boosts productivity, creativity, and profitability
- Prevents or reduces long-term sick leave
- Decreases employee turnover, in some cases by as much as 58%
- Increases company revenue by 33%
So how can you cultivate a positive atmosphere so that your team can bring their A-game to work every day? Here are 5 simple ways to bring more positivity into your workspace and elevate your team.
1 | Healthy and Clean Space
A clean and healthy workspace is the foundation of a productive and positive workspace! When a workplace is messy and cluttered, it can be visually overwhelming and distracting. Not to mention that workplaces that are not regularly and thoroughly cleaned can harbor germs that lead to illness and missed days of work. According to microbiologists, it takes a mere two to four hours for a virus to spread from the coffee pot to someone’s desk!
Clean and clutter-free spaces not only keep employees on task and from getting sick as often, but they also bring a sense of pride to your team. We know you have a lot to do, so hire a cleaning service and let the professionals handle keeping your spaces clean and healthy for everyone while you get down to the day-to-day of running your business!
2 | Promote Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity and inclusion are an essential ingredient for creating a positive workplace. Having a diverse workforce has many impressive benefits, including:
- Attracts top talent to your business
- Opens the door to more creative thinking and innovative ideas
- Increases productivity and profits
- Increases employee happiness
In other words, when a work environment promotes diversity in all of its forms, employees naturally feel more comfortable and happier, which leads to success for employees and the company!
3 | Protect Employee Mental Health
According to the Mental Health Foundation, nearly 15% of employees encounter mental health problems at work and women in full-time employment are twice as likely to struggle with mental health issues. Poor mental health can lead to negativity in the workplace as well as higher rates of sick leave and a loss in productivity. Not only does helping employees overcome their mental health challenges bring more positivity to their own lives, including work, but it also shows that their employer cares and that brings even more positivity to the work environment.
Employee Assistance Programs are a great way to address problems before they begin and to create a work environment that is happy and healthy for everyone. Other ways to improve employee mental health include:
- Insurance coverage for therapy/counseling
- Routinely checking in with your employees to see how they are doing
- Encouraging employees to talk openly about how they feel with coworkers and managers
- Generally promoting mental health in the workplace
4 | Show Appreciation
Showing your employees that you appreciate them and all the hard work they do boosts confidence and positivity. Celebrate team wins, give shout outs, and focus on the overall great work everyone is doing, rather than only on the negative or losses. Other ways to show appreciation include offering paid time off, bonuses, and opportunities for personal growth and development (such as attending leadership conferences).
5 | Do Something Fun
Finally, just do something fun with your employees that isn’t work! Whether you get together for drinks after work on a Friday night, host a company event, or go out to lunch together, these types of get-togethers promote team building and camaraderie.
