Why it's important to keep your employees happy (+16 ways to do it)

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, 76.1 million workers age 16 and older are hourly workers. That's more than half of all employees. As many of them spend at least 30 hours a week at work, it is important to make these hours as rewarding as possible.

Additionally, creating a fun work environment that allows employees to thrive is key to increasing retention rates. And for small businesses that grow and evolve, it's more important than ever to avoid losing your best people to your competitors.

That's why, in this article, we'll explain the importance of employee happiness and give you our top 16 tips that will help you increase the positive vibes in the workplace, which will benefit both your your company and team culture.

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Why is it important to keep your employees happy?

Defining happiness at work is a complicated task. However, studies show that providing employees with physical, psychological, social, and organizational resources leads to improved performance and mood. This positive outlook brings:

Greater productivity. When people find satisfaction in their work, they are more likely to commit and put effort into fulfilling their responsibilities and doing a good job. Smart decision making. Better employee morale means less anxiety and unnecessary stress while on the job. Relaxed team members tend to make calculated choices and avoid unnecessary risks. Better employee retention. Providing a healthy workspace reduces turnover rates and the risk of absenteeism. This means that you are unlikely to lose your best employees to your competitors. Best customer service. Naturally, team members with a more enthusiastic mindset are more likely to be kind and attentive when dealing with customers. This increases customer loyalty and ultimately positively affects your bottom line. Improved employee health. Giving employees the resources they need, like a competitive salary and flexible work hours, reduces anxiety and improves mental health, which leads to better physical health. 16 ways to increase employee happiness

Discovering ways to create a pleasant work environment and succeed in business can be difficult. That's why we've created a list of 16 ways to increase employee happiness to get you started:

Offer competitive compensation Generous time off Allow flexible shift changes Encourage regular availability updates and real-time shift tracking Offer discounts and freebies Create professional development opportunities Organize volunteering Cover or participate in transportation costs Offer free or discounted childcare Help with parent care Help repay employee student loans Allow casual dress Rethink your work environment Encourage teamwork rather than competition Insist on honesty and transparency express gratitude 1. Offer competitive compensation

Fair and competitive compensation is a great way to make employees feel valued and reduce financial stress so they can do their best work. Although it can be difficult for some small businesses, beating your competition for the best candidates is essential. It's worth it.

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