The Secret to Being Happy & Productive at Work

The concept of happiness at work has been debated for decades. There’s a widespread belief that workers are happier when they earn more money, while others suggest that it does not make much difference.

However, there are certain factors that play a role in determining whether one is satisfied with their career.

The idea that you must pay people to make them happy isn’t just a myth — it’s a myth that could cost companies hundreds of billions of dollars each year.

A recent Gallup Poll proved that about one-third of American workers say they’re actively engaged or connected to the workplace. Low morale costs the U.S. economy up to $550 billion annually.

In Malaysia, a survey by JobStreet showed that in November 2021, 74% of Malaysian respondents reported being dissatisfied with their current job.

This was caused mainly by poor leadership in the company and a lack of opportunities and compensation.

But why do some people seem to thrive in jobs while others struggle? What makes someone happy at work?

What Does Workplace Happiness Mean?

Workplace happiness refers to the feeling of satisfaction derived from one’s job. It is a feeling of well-being that stems from our involvement in the professional commitments associated with our jobs.

Workplace happiness can mean different things to different people. But generally speaking, we can agree on three main aspects:

1. A sense of purpose - this includes feeling like your job contributes to something bigger than yourself. It also means having an impact on society through your work.
2. Autonomy - this refers to how much control you have over your own life. For example, if you want to go home early but your boss says no, that would signal autonomy issues.
3. Mastery - this means achieving goals and learning new skills. If you feel stuck in a rut, you might need to look into ways to improve these areas.

Why Is Workplace Happiness & Productivity Important?

Happiness at work is much more important than ever. Organizations realize the importance of creating a positive environment where people can express themselves freely without fear of repercussion. Furthermore, organizations understand that unhappy employees will eventually leave, thus causing significant financial losses.

According to a study by the iOpener Institute, “happiness at work” is directly correlated to being more energetic when performing their work, with 65% of employees who are happy at work tending to perform better and, therefore, increase organizational performance.

This shows that happiness at work leads to productivity. And productivity leads to increased profits, which ultimately benefits the organization.

How Can Your Employees Be More Happy & Productive At Work?

So what can employers do to create a happier workforce?

There are many ways to become more productive and happier at work. Here are some tips for making sure that your employees can achieve both of those objectives:

1) Create a Culture of Trust

This means that there should be open communication between managers and employees. Managers should be willing to listen to employee concerns and address them immediately. They should also be willing to give honest feedback so that employees know exactly what they’re doing right or wrong.

A happy employee is always willing not only to accept responsibility for his mistakes but also to develop their career professionally. Therefore, such employees do not blame others for their failures; rather, they look for opportunities to improve themselves and learn from their errors.

They are open to constructive criticism and understand that listening to what people around them say about how they could improve is crucial.

2) Provide Clear Expectations

It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day activities of running a business. However, it’s vital that managers set clear expectations for each employee. This way, everyone knows what to expect and what’s expected of them.

For instance, if you tell one employee that he needs to complete a certain task within two hours, but another employee tells you that she takes three days to finish the same job, it can cause confusion and frustration on the part of the first employee.

He may think he has done everything correctly, while the other employee feels she hasn’t completed her job properly.

Managers must ensure that all employees clearly understand what is expected of them. Otherwise, there will be misunderstandings and conflicts that will lead to stress and unhappiness among workers.

3) Give Credit Where Credit Is Due

This means that managers must recognize the contributions made by their employees. In addition, they must make sure that all employees receive recognition for their accomplishments.

Organizations have to show their appreciation for the hard work put forth by their employees. So if you want to keep your employees motivated, you’ll need to reward them for their efforts.

Otherwise, they won’t feel appreciated and valued.

4) Make Sure That Employees Are Given Opportunities to Grow

Employers and managers should provide training programs and other resources to help employees develop new skills. This is important as it helps employees stay current with industry trends and allows them to advance their careers.

This can include training courses, seminars, workshops, conferences, etc., allowing employees to expand their knowledge base. It also includes giving employees the opportunity to attend professional development events such as trade shows, conventions, and webinars.

In addition, career planning discussions help employees understand what roles exist across the entire organization and how those roles fit into the bigger picture. If you want to keep your workforce happy and productive, start thinking about how you can give them something better to look forward to.

5) Encourage Healthy Work Relationships

This means managers shouldn’t treat their employees like they are underage children. Instead, they should encourage healthy relationships through regular social gatherings and events.

The office environment plays a significant role in how productive people are. To ensure everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas, encourage casual conversations in the break room or lunchroom. This can lead to collaboration, innovation, and productivity.

6) Help Employees Find Meaning in Their Jobs

This means that managers need to help their employees find purpose in their work. It’s not enough to just pay someone; they must also ensure their job has value.

Employees are often forgotten during the planning stages of a company. Yet, it’s important to remember that they’re the ones who do the work every day.

They know what works well and what doesn’t. And they’re the most likely to notice problems and opportunities that aren’t being addressed.

Insightful benefits packages can go a long way toward improving morale and retention. But just providing perks alone isn’t enough.

You must also communicate clearly and frequently with your employees on company happenings, including big-picture company direction. This helps keep everyone aware of where the organization is headed and allows them to feel part of the bigger picture.

7) Allow Work Flexibility

Organizations don’t need to micromanage every aspect of an employee’s life. Instead, they should allow employees the freedom to pursue their interests outside of work.

To encourage creativity, you’ll need an environment that fosters innovation and experimentation. Employees who are encouraged to try out different ideas will find themselves more engaged and motivated than those who have no choice but to stick to the same old routine.

8) Provide Feedback

Providing constructive feedback is one of the best ways for managers to improve performance. Therefore, managers should regularly evaluate their employees’ progress and offer suggestions when needed.

All in All,

Managing your team is hard work. However, there are some simple things you can do to create a positive working atmosphere. By following these tips, you’ll be able to motivate your staff and get the most out of each member.

At Upscale, we are committed to helping our clients achieve success by creating a culture of positivity that leads to better performance at work. In addition, we believe great leaders inspire greatness in others through proper matching in talent recruiting.

To learn more about us, visit www.www.upscale.my.