Did you know that the healthcare costs are higher at companies with high stress environments? On top of that, the majority of workplace accidents are the result of stress. Although we talk about the value of a positive work environment, we do not always realize how practical the benefits of a positive work environment are.
Every business is different, so not all advice for creating a positive work environment is good for every business. At the same time, there are some principles that are universal for helping foster a great environment to work in. Read on to learn all about the most important tips you can use to help create a positive work environment!
1. Take Your Time When Onboarding and Hiring Employees
One of the most important things to do to foster a positive work environment is look after those who may be struggling. In every workplace, there are those who have found their place and those who have not.
In particular, new employees have a lower chance of feeling comfortable in a new workplace. That can keep them from learning the ropes as quickly as possible and may diminish their performance and well-being.
Make sure to take enough time to properly onboard new employees. Give yourself more time than you think you need to introduce them to the workplace and teach them about how to participate.
Try to include breaks in the onboarding process and allow employees to settle in. These breaks can also be a great time to ask if the new employee has any questions.
There may not always be time to answer all of their questions in the way that they deserve. However, when that happens, don’t just give brief answers and move on.
Instead, note the questions of the new employee. You can then find a time later to answer them. You can also find someone else to help answer whatever questions you cannot answer at the time.
2. Criticize One Thing at a Time While Managing Employees
It is inevitable that business leaders will need to provide constructive criticism for employees at some point. However, there are better and worse ways to provide criticism.
One of the worst mistakes you can make is to provide criticism in public. Criticism should be about helping people to improve, not embarrassing them in front of others. Make sure to find a private place to deliver any criticism that an employee needs to hear.
Another important thing to do is make sure to criticize one thing at a time. Limiting constructive criticism to a single subject can give employees space to articulate their own thoughts. People are much less likely to listen to advice from business leaders if they feel that those leaders do not understand where they are coming from.
Although business leaders may go into a meeting with a idea about what they think needs to happen, they need to stay flexible. If they find out new information, they may need to adjust their plans for the meeting on the fly.
3. Create a Workplace Culture of Well-Being
Many businesses send a message to their employees that their well-being is not a priority. When a business task needs to get done, all such considerations are to be put aside. In some cases, there is good reason for prioritizing immediate productivity over other things.
However, it is important for businesses to balance out times like that with acknowledgement of the importance of well-being. When things are tight, it can make sense to focus on immediate productivity. But if a business does that, then when things are more relaxed, it should be business policy to take advantage of that space to encourage people to look after their well-being.
4. Encourage Employee Wellness and Connectedness
Humans are a social animal. There is almost nothing that can promote well-being as well as healthy social relationships. In the workplace, there are many opportunities for people to develop relationships.
That being the case, it is unfortunate that many people spend years working in the same general space without ever getting to know each other. Try to make it a point to give everyone opportunities to spend time with each other and get to know each other.
Some people find it difficult to approach others and attempt to start a friendship. Business leaders can provide employees with good excuses to spend time with people that they otherwise would not.
Once everybody has spent a significant amount of time with everybody else, they are more likely to establish more serious friendships. Friends in the workplace will tend to support each other.
When times get tough, it is often the support of friends that help people to get through them. That can help keep people from burning out and diminishing their well-being.
5. Look Out for Those Who Do Not Fit Into the Company Culture
We already talked about the importance of looking out for those who are new into work place. However, there are other people who may not fit with the company culture.
Sometimes, this is a question of personality. Some people are shy or have interests that do not match the interests of others in the workplace. In other places, people may come from a different background that makes it more difficult for it them two enjoy harmony and connectedness with everybody else.
Whatever the reason, make sure your business leaders keep an eye out for employees who may need a helping hand. This can be a great reason to pay attention to work place diversity and help foster togetherness as everyone works together.
Understand How to Develop a Positive Work Environment
Many business leaders do not appreciate just how many benefits come with taking the time to develop a positive work environment. A little extra time and effort spent on the work environment can more than pay for itself over time.
To learn more about the latest information in business, culture, and more, check out our other pages!
