Workers tend to produce more and feel better about their jobs when they have a positive working environment. Therefore, as an employer, it is up to you to do whatever it takes to provide that for them. However, what are some strategies that you can use to ensure that your people are happy while they are on the clock?
Give Them Positive Feedback
Try to say at least one nice thing about each worker every day. In addition, try to provide positive feedback as events unfold during the day. For instance, if a produce display was refilled as necessary during the dinner rush, compliment the person who kept that display at proper levels. If your new sales person got his or her first sale, acknowledge and celebrate that achievement.
Let Your People Make Their Own Schedules
If it doesn’t harm the company, flexible scheduling can be a great way to keep everyone’s spirits high. Furthermore, you should let them come and go from the office as needed assuming that they get their work done in a timely manner. This allows a mother to tend to her kids and come back later to finish her assignment or allows someone who is sick or still tired to get some extra rest before coming to work. Overall, it creates a good work/life balance while treating your people like adults.
Do Not Put Up With Bullying
Under no circumstances should you put up with bullying or any forms of harassment at work. It doesn’t matter if an employee, a manager or even you are engaging in this type of behavior. If it happens, there should be consequences and they should apply to everyone equally. This promotes a healthy work environment where everyone can focus on their work and not on trying to be manager’s favorite employee this week.
Provide Opportunities for Advancement
No one wants to spend their entire career working in a cubicle or trying to support themselves on an entry level salary. If you want your people to work hard and take ownership of their work, reward them for their dedication with promotions or other opportunities to build their careers. For instance, you may want to consider paying for an employee to get his or her master’s in business analytics to help facilitate a promotion or pay raise.
Your workers are the lifeblood of your company. Without them, you can’t make new products, ship orders to customers or help them during the buying process. Therefore, make sure to treat them right and ensure that they have a great experience coming to work each day.
About Kara Masterson:
“Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max.”
