Tips to increase employee satisfaction

Employee attitudes generally reflect company morale. In the areas of customer service and sales, satisfied employees are extremely important because they represent the company to the public. But satisfaction is not only related to compensation. While an increase in salary or benefits may improve employee satisfaction, at least temporarily, small, cost-effective changes can have long-term effects.

Below are six proven strategies to improve the job satisfaction of your employees;

Be realistic with your expectations

Often the cause of stress and anxiety is unrealistic expectations of employees who feel unable to express their concerns when they feel overwhelmed. Work is increasingly removed from personal life. It can be difficult to reconcile business objectives with maintaining employee satisfaction. But honest and open discussions about expectations will go a long way in this regard.

Recognizing good work

Performing and rewarding hard work is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to improve employee satisfaction. No one wants to feel that their efforts are not recognized, so praise your employees when they work hard and go the extra mile.

Long term focus

Instead of looking for “quick wins”, keep an eye on the long-term strategic goals of the company and make sure that all employees are on the same page. Working towards a common goal and mission can be a great source of motivation.

Communicate more than you should

There is not much communication. In fact, lack of communication is the most common cause of frustration in the workplace. Work to create a culture of open and honest communication, where your team feels comfortable communicating their own thoughts, and which begins by sharing your thoughts with others.

Care for the well-being of employees

Show that you really care about the well-being of your employees. Proceed in two directions. Mental well-being is often overlooked, but is an essential part of job satisfaction. Creating a calm, fear-free work environment can help you get the most out of your employees. And physical wellness, such as promoting a healthy, fit lifestyle by giving employees time to exercise, is both cost-effective and a great way to create a better work-life balance for your employees.

Offer learning opportunities

The growth of employees is one of the most important aspects of commitment. When employees feel that they are stagnating, they get bored and look elsewhere for stimulation and new challenges. Keep top talent on board by offering them opportunities for career and business growth. This can include training, a challenging promotion or a learning budget that allows employees to pursue external interests.

Employees can adjust their habits to improve their happiness, employers can also make small changes to the seven categories. A small effort can lead to happy, efficient and loyal employees.

1. Give Employees More Control

Happiness is influenced by a sense of control over employees’ lives

Employers should look for ways to give employees more control over their schedules, environment and/or work habits. For example, employers could offer alternative work schedules such as flextime or telework. Today’s employees have demanding schedules outside of work, and many of them appreciate a boss who takes work-life balance into account. Since everyone’s obligations outside of work are different, personalized schedules are a good way to improve employee satisfaction.

Employers should also encourage employees to personalize their work schedules. This may include furniture and/or equipment. This not only allows employees to control their work environment but can also reduce personal barriers such as back or eye pain. In addition, studies show that certain colors or decorations can improve employee satisfaction. Employees can create a place where they enjoy working instead of being stuck in a boring office.

Another way to give employees a sense of control is to create employee-led contests, such as sales contests. These activities allow employees to control their success. Each employee can set personal goals, and they will feel fulfilled rather than engaged.

Getting the best out of your employees goes beyond remuneration and benefits. It’s also about creating workspaces that are safe, inspiring and enjoyable. But after years of research on employee engagement, half of Hong Kong employees are dissatisfied and Hong Kong comes last in terms of smiles in the workplace.

Much has been written about creating an inviting corporate culture, as this can often be a critical factor in selecting candidates from a shrinking talent pool. Especially in a city with one of the longest working hours in the world.

2. Relieving the Stress of Commuting

Bad trips are a major source of unhappiness. People feel frustrated, helpless and stressed

Employers should consider ways to reduce the stress associated with commuting to and from work. For example, employers could stagger work hours to avoid heavy traffic. Look at start and end times and determine if it’s possible to adjust specific times or the number of people arriving each hour. Also, review policies regarding late arrivals. If employees are severely reprimanded for arriving late, they will be much more stressed during a bad trip and will arrive at the office miserable.

Another option is to offer telework options. This eliminates the need to commute and allows employees to work where they are most comfortable. Telework also has various benefits for the employer, such as cost savings.

3. Stop wasting time

Tight deadlines are another major source of stress for many employees. Employers can alleviate this stress by freeing up more time. For example, employers can make meetings shorter and more efficient. Consider things that seem silly but are actually effective, such as having a meeting without a chair. People will be more likely to stick to the necessary agenda when they have to endure the whole meeting.

Whenever possible, replace meetings with conference calls. To reduce unnecessary chatter, make calls before lunch or at the end of the day. People will want to get straight to the point so they can go to lunch or go home.

Another idea is to create organizational systems that improve efficiency. Clutter and confusion are important factors in jet lag. Organized offices and systems reduce stress, save time and increase productivity.

4. Encouraging Social Connections

Socialization is a key element of happiness. Interaction with others gives people a boost to their mood surprisingly, this is true even for introverts

Employers should find ways to encourage socializing. Consider an office layout that encourages communication. Arrange workstations so that employees can see and talk to each other.

Employers can also promote office parties for holidays and birthdays. These celebrations need not be expensive. Just ask everyone to bring a covered dish. Even if there is no reason to celebrate, encourage employees to eat lunch together. Make sure they have a comfortable dining area.

Socializing is not limited to office hours. Promote socializing outside the office, for example through volunteer programs. This allows employees to develop relationships outside the office while promoting the company in a positive way. Community service is a great way to build a positive reputation and is a source of happiness for employees.

“People who work for things they care about are generally happier and healthier, have less pain and even live longer,”

5. Health promotion

Poor health is harmful not only to employees but also to companies. “Companies pay a high price for stress-related illnesses such as high blood pressure, gastrointestinal problems and substance abuse,”

Chronic stress has a variety of negative side effects including weight gain, a weakened immune system, increased risk of disease and fatigue. Employers should encourage their employees to reduce their stress levels and improve their overall health.

The first step is to educate employees about health-related issues. Provide reading material or offer seminars. People cannot make positive changes if they do not know what to change.

Once employees are sensitized to health issues such as stress, exercise, and healthy eating, start a healthy competition like the biggest loser competition. This offers employees motivation and a support system. If the entire office participates, employees are more likely to achieve their goals.

To help employees make positive changes to their lifestyle, a kitchen with a refrigerator and microwave oven should be set up to prepare healthy meals. Research shows that preparing food is healthier than eating outside. Also, encourage breaks during the day. Even small amounts of exercise throughout the day are beneficial. Walking downstairs is excellent exercise. A study has shown that walking up and downstairs for 7 minutes a day reduces the risk of heart disease by two thirds.

Offer a corporate discount on gym membership if possible. This will encourage employees to make positive decisions outside the office and exercise regularly.

6. Creating a Climate for Growth

Employment is more than just a source of income. Jobs are a place where employees can grow and learn. In an employee motivation survey, employees ranked the job characteristics that motivate them. Surprisingly, high pay and promotions were not among the top three. Instead, the number one wish was: total appreciation for the work worked.

Employers can create an atmosphere of growth by providing training, recognizing benchmarks and celebrating performance. Employers should also encourage employees to take risks and learn new skills. Employees will become bored and unmotivated if they never have the opportunity to expand their skills and responsibilities.

7. Breaking Routines

Surprises bring sparks to all areas of life, including the workplace. Even a small treat can increase people’s happiness and people have even more unexpected fun.

Employers should look for small ways to surprise their employees. For example, they could occasionally bring in a special treat such as coffee or pastries. Small gestures show employees that their time is appreciated.

Another idea is to organize an office party for a funky holiday. Employers could even allow their employees to take time off. This doesn’t have to be expensive either. The keys are to break up the routine of the workweek, encourage socialization and show your appreciation.

Also, consider an office gift. You can organize a raffle or contest to motivate your employees. The prize can be as simple as a gift card or as extravagant as a party.

If you don’t think you need to improve employee satisfaction, read all the comments from dissatisfied employees on message boards like Yahoo.

One user says, “I think companies want good, hard-working, loyal employees, but they’ll never get that because they treat their employees that way.

Prove those dissatisfied employees wrong. Be the best boss you can be and work to improve job satisfaction. Your extra effort may simply lead to better business.

Email can cause a lot of stress at work, especially since we can feel connected to it around the clock. Have you ever caught yourself looking at your e-mails at work during the holidays just because they are there? Thanks, smartphones!

Here is the problem with email. If you keep track of your inbox, you tend to create more e-mails. The more you spend, the more you receive. According to some calculations, the average employee spends more than two hours reading and replying to emails.

A tactic that helps control the situation is to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Become a better email sender. You can do this by being clearer about who should and should not reply.

Human Resource Management Software is important here: Human Resource management software enables companies to monitor and improve the performance of employees at both individual and team levels. The right Human resource management software will also increase employee engagement by giving them the opportunity to take control of their own goals and personal development, and by providing regular and immediate feedback. Studies have shown that organizations are more productive and profitable with engaged employees.

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