As most of us will spend more of our time at work than we do at home, it’s important that we feel our best to help us thrive. When people are happy at work, they are more productive, and less likely to experience the stress that can come with working life.
This International Week of Happiness at Work, we’ve listed some great ways you and your employer can create a happy workplace.
How can we help ourselves to stay happy at work?
Take time to talk to colleagues, whether that’s over a cup of tea or during a lunch break. The more that we interact and communicate with people, the more it can help us feel we’re surrounded by supportive people.
Feeling in control of our careers can help us to feel satisfied in our roles. Take charge of your career path and work out a development plan, it can be a great way to get control over your future.
Take short breaks throughout the day to help reduce the feeling of overwhelm. Having time away from tasks and the computer is important for our health, so make it a priority, even if you’re busy.
Sarah Smith, Managing Director of Dynamic Print, is a big advocate of nature, and makes use of the outdoor space the company has. “Happiness is having an Eco garden at work to go and spend some quality time in during my break” she told us. “Feeding fish, watching the birds, and sitting with nature, it’s priceless.”
And finally, we mustn’t forget the fundamental things like getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, and being mindful about food choices. These can have a big impact on our focus and energy to get through the working day.
How can employers ensure that their staff are happy?
Promoting a healthy work-life balance can play a big role in the wellbeing of employees and reduce stress and burnout. Remember to encourage all staff to take their annual leave allowance during the year, and think about whether you can implement flexible working options to help the feeling of balance.
Create open conversations with people to ensure that you’re listening to employees and getting feedback from the people that matter most. This can also help people to know they can reach out to you if they’re struggling or feeling overwhelmed by work.
Glossop Cartons (GCP) advocate conversations by creating a Talk Team. These trained staff members ensure employees can talk freely and on a regular basis, enabling the whole team to be able to act quickly to enhance wellbeing and prevent any issues. Alongside nights out and sweet treats like donuts and an ice cream van, they’ve also introduced a REST Award (Recognising Extra Special Team members) for people who go out their way to support other team members, with the recipient gaining an extra day of holiday.
Offering your staff an employee assistance programme is a great place to start with any wellbeing programme in the workplace. Our free, confidential helpline offers practical advice and guidance alongside emotional support 24/7 for people working in the print, paper, packaging, publishing, and graphics sectors. Talk to us today to find out more about the service and how you can offer this to your staff.