Many companies, managers and team leaders fail to realize how important of a role the employees’ and staff members’ workspace can be. The work environment can have either a negative or positive influence on the quality and quantity of work that employees produce. It can either promote a place that invites employees to want to be there or it can be a place that they cannot wait to run away from. A healthy work environment is more than just bright lights and the latest technology, it is more how the environment makes staff and employees feel alongside the ease of performing their daily tasks. Are they safe, and happy or do they dread coming to work and feel anxious or frustrated while they are there?
Characteristic Of A Healthy Workspace
Businesses that have healthy work environments typically display a more upbeat and positive image. Workers smile more, stress less and the work they produce also reflects this happier tone. When you have a healthy workplace it is considered:
- Safe
- Encouraging
- Empowering
- Positive
- Productive
Benefits Of A Healthy Workspace
Providing employees with a positive and safe work environment can produce these results with employees and with the business as well:
- Increase In Employees Morale
- Reduce Employee Turnover
- Increase Productivity
- Promotes A Team Effort Where There Is A United Work Force
- Improves Employees Physical And Mental Health, Which Result In Less Absences Or Call Offs.
How To Promote A Healthy Workspace
It can take some effort to incorporate a more healthy work environment especially if the work place has been a toxic environment for a long period of time. A toxic environment or workplace is usually one that lacks:
- Leadership
- Cohesion
- Morale
- Communication
- Willingness To Listen
Many toxic work environments tend to be run on favoritism instead of quality and this can be not only damaging for the employees that work there but can have a number of negative effects on the business.
To promote a Healthy Workplace there are a number of steps that can be taken but it will take the cooperation of everyone in the workplace, especially those in the top leadership positions.
1.) In promoting a healthy workplace environment you need to consider the health of the employees first. Ensuring that the workplace is safe to work in will limit the number of work accidents. Providing effective ways to keep the work place clean and healthy to reduce the spread of germs and sickness in the workplace. Implementing a wellness policy will help reduce absences among employees inclusive of staff being able to feel free to tend to their medical concerns as well as taking “mental health” days to regroup, relax and recharge from the hustle and bustle of their j-o-b.
2.) Having the right leadership in place serving as an example for employees to follow influences the environment more than people recognize. The right leaders, managers and supervisors are essential to promote effective communication, teamwork and efficiency BY EXAMPLE.
3.) Implement a code of conduct for the work place to limit segregation, bullying and low morale among team members. The expectation of employees should all be kept high but should be expected from everyone equally. Included is a requirement that protects staff ensuring that they have clear expectations and systematic processes outlined in a manner that is easy to understand and also easy to access.
4.) Perform evaluation on all employees, including management and supervisors. By doing regular performance evaluation you will be able to easily find what needs improvement and what is working to promote a well-oiled process for success. In the same breath you also want to have a clear exit strategy when it is clear that staff are no longer adding value to your workplace and or they have outgrown what you have to offer.
5.) Celebrate the journey of both your staff AND your clients. How you recognize their lived experience says a lot about how they are valued. When staff and clients alike feel valued they will be more devoted to the work that they do for your business and or the services they receive from your business.
6.) One method to reduce staff from being overwhelmed is to create a safe environment where they are able to discuss their projects, challenges and barriers while also seeking the support that they need, without penalty. A vulnerable workspace that minimizes judgement and increases collaboration is surely to be a benefit to increasing performance.
7.) Encouragement is key for a healthy workplace. All members of the staff should be recognized when it warrants recognition and should be encouraged to go above and beyond what is expected of them. Setting up simple rewards systems, holding monthly or quarterly work meeting to give special attention to those who are rising to the performance expected of them can yield a huge increase in work effort, productivity and quality of work.
8.) Giving employees and staff permission to soar will not only create a spirit of thriving throughout your workplace but it will also add to the recognition of your business throughout your field. This is done when you chose to invest in your team through professional development dollars and allow them to travel and present on their creative ideas and expertise. Again, their greatness is tied to you and we want your business to be known as the “Best of the Best.”
9.) Identify strategies that provide a sense of freedom for your employees and staff to be innovative and productive. Trusting their genius demonstrates that you know how to make the right decisions in your hiring process AND it allows them to not feel as though they are being micro-managed due to their inability to do their job.
10.) Get rid of negative energy FAST! Communication is the number one tool to ensure that your profit, performance and power are intact. It is also the tool that determines how long you will succeed in these areas. Using language that validates, fosters partnership and creates simplicity in the midst of greatness is sure to keep you on the right track!
These tips are proven to directly influence your profit, performance and power. For additional tips, view our upcoming blogs AND give us a call so that we can discuss how we can assist you in creating the Healthy Workspace that you deserve!
Also, we would LOVE to hear from you so feel free to comment below or send us an email letting us know how you have begun to create your Healthy Workspace !
