Ahead of International Week of Happiness at Work, we’re questioning what it means to be happy in the workplace and what role employee rewards have on wellbeing and morale.
Did you know that the average person will spend 90,000 hours at work during their lifetime? It’s no surprise that being happy at work is important for our mental and physical wellbeing. Increasingly, employees are focussed more on their wellbeing than financial gain alone. So, how can employers step up their initiatives?
The power of rewards
When it comes to feeling happy at work, rewards play a big part. Employers want their people to feel content, confident and valued, so investing in their wellbeing is a good place to start. We looked at the five pillars of wellbeing in a previous blog and the ways employers can weave this concept into their reward package. And this approach benefits both parties – Gitnux report that 67% of employees say they’re more productive when happy at work, meaning employers get a better output from them overall.
Diversity matters
Fostering an inclusive workplace culture is another way to directly impact employee happiness. If you have a wellbeing strategy in place, then ensuring it reflects a diverse group is key. People need to feel a sense of belonging, knowing they can bring their ‘whole self’ to work. Wellbeing is only truly inclusive if your strategy is designed to benefit all, and that means catering for everyone’s needs. Your communications strands should be inclusive too, so consider your channels (online or offline) and messaging.
Get to know your people
Dedicating time to celebrate your colleagues is great way to connect. Many of us have outside hobbies, creative skills and varied interests that form huge parts of our personalities and identities. We challenged our Eximia team to share their creative hobbies recently, and it was a reminder to water the interests we all have outside of work because they add joy and balance to our lives. Perhaps there is a need for more social activities, book clubs or religious support groups within your organisation, where people can form new relationships, connect over common interests or try new things? According to HubSpot, 70% of employees state that friendships are crucial for a happy working life.
We can help you connect with your people through engaging communications. Reach out, we’d love to discuss your challenges.
