Is Britain happy at work? Not if studies are to be believed. New research from the London School of Business and Finance (LSBF) found that 47% want to change jobs. More than one in five are looking to change their role in the next 12 months – a sure-fire indicator of the changing landscape of the British job industry.
For young people, this number is even more severe. A full 66% of 18-34 year olds want a new job, again showing the growing dissatisfaction people feel about their roles. However, the research also shows that many of these people are unwilling to change their careers, due to fears around financial instability.
So – with people increasingly trapped in jobs they dislike, how can you make your workplace a happier one? A happy employee is 12% more productive – so your happiness is good at both employee and management levels. Whether you’re an employee or a manager, follow these top tips to make your working life more fulfilling.
Further skills with training
As an employee, it’s perfectly within your rights to approach your employer and ask for additional training that you think would benefit your workplace. The worst they can say is no, but most should be receptive to the idea. Not only can it lead to you picking up new skills and feeling more valuable, it is also beneficial for the business. According to a 2011 report by Andries De Grip and Jan Sauermann, training led to a 9% increase in staff productivity.
If you’re a manager and want to increase the output of your staff alongside their satisfaction, consider using an employee engagement training course. Not only will your staff be happier, your retention rate will rise.
Create a regular touch point with your staff/manager
Nobody likes to struggle in the dark. Whether you’re an employee or a manager, regularly consulting one another in the workplace is a great way to keep projects moving and avoids any kind of anxiety about unclear instructions. Creating an atmosphere of friendly cooperation is conducive to a good working relationship.
Cultivate co-worker culture
There’s a reason open plan offices are so popular amongst tech start-ups and the millennial generation. A communication culture helps aid the spirit of cooperation in the workplace, which leads to an increase of happiness (which then leads to more productivity). Harvard researchers Phil Stone and Tal Ben-Shahar found that students who had social support at school and at home were happier and better at dealing with stress. Carrying this kind of support into the workplace sets strong foundations for an increase in overall happiness.
Staff nights out, team meetings and office sweepstakes or sports leagues can all help increase morale. As a manager, you should be budgeting for this type of activity, as you’ll be repaid in increased productivity. As an employee, do anything you can to get involved. Even if your workplace doesn’t provide much for your team, you can set up your own internal sweepstakes or fantasy sport leagues to help boost happiness and keep things on track.
A happy employee is a productive one. Make happiness your priority and your working environment will improve.
This article is supplied via the DB Direct service
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