The hot summer days can make any normal work day seem even longer than most, especially in a hectic environment like an eye care practice or dispensary. The heat and humidity in addition to longer days can also cause your employees to become restless at work, which can be bad for business. So what do you do as an employer who wants to keep your top workers happy, knowing that you have limited resources? The following list includes practical ways to achieve ideal workplace happiness without impacting the bottom line.
1. Give Short Breaks
Eight hour work days (or longer) can leave your employees dragging their feet, getting agitated easily, or downright depressed. However, research shows that allocating short 10 minute breaks for a social interactions or activities can actually boost employee morale - as well as productivity - by giving employees a well-deserved mental break from the normal routine. It may sound impossible in a high-traffic practice, but having team members ‘tag out’ to take a break can make all the difference.
2. Recognize an Employee-of-the-Month
Whether it is giving an employee a $10 Starbucks® gift card, a free lunch, or a small plaque with their name on it, honoring employees for their hard work will remind them that they are valuable to you as an employer. Most people feel unrecognized for their contributions to the organization, so taking the time to single out an exemplary professional can encourage others to strive for something other than meeting their daily goals in the workplace.
3. Create a Fun Work Environment
Everyone can easily recognize a happy employee by the way they interact with others in the office. By creating a fun environment at work, you can give an employee all the more reason to come to work smiling day in and day out. If you plan a day of the week where employees can listen to music or set aside time for teambuilding games, you can easily help nurture an enjoyable environment.
4. Leave Thank-You Notes
Delivering a handwritten note to an employee who went above and beyond on your most recent project not only shows your appreciation, but also can keep your employee smiling all day long. It’s the little things that count!
5. Feed Them
When in doubt, free food most always wins the hearts of employees. A dozen of doughnuts, a couple boxes pizza, or a few cartons of frozen yogurt will definitely keep your employees happy (and full). You can even take it to the next level and schedule catered lunches once a month. Whichever way you do it, remember: a happy stomach makes a happy person!
6. Plan on More than Just Casual Fridays
Pick another day where employees can dress casually. When employees are comfortable in what they wear they are more likely to be content as they work. If you run an organization where everyone is required to wear scrubs, encourage unique colors or patterns to brighten up the workplace. The standard colors tend to get old after a while.
7. Offer Tuesday Tai Chi
Occasional group exercise classes - whether Tai Chi, Yoga, or Pilates - can keep an employee’s body and mind healthy during the long work weeks. The physical state of an employee is important to his or her productivity, especially in the healthcare industry. By participating in a fitness class before or after hours, an employee can enhance his or her overall wellness and offer just the right amount of stress relief.
8. Establish Summer Office Hours
Although not every organization can afford to do this, establishing summer hours is a tremendously helpful way to create a positive working environment during the summer months. If you’ve noticed that business is a little slower in the afternoon on Fridays, think about some ways you can rearrange your organization’s operating hours to allow for a jump start to the weekend. I mean, who doesn’t love a half-day Friday? Employees with kids, young employees with weekend plans, and employees who just want to beat the Friday traffic home will thank you in the long run.
9. Reward with (Small) Bonuses
Employers on a budget can rest assured knowing that handing out small bonuses, even as much as $25, can go a long way with some employees. Bonuses not only make employees smile, but they have also been proven to increase company loyalty in the long run.
10. Organize an Offsite Team Lunch
Inviting your employees to have a team lunch away from the office can promote a sense of community at work. It doesn’t have to be a five star restaurant, but spending time with your employees and investing in their interests can increase your employees’ overall happiness. In a busy, customer-focused office, try rotating some employees by taking a couple groups to lunch different days of the week. That way, business still runs and everyone can partake in the experience!
Overall, happy employees in the workplace can affect overall employee performance, increase retention rates, and fuel company loyalty in any organization. By investing just a little time to think about the people who make your business successful, you can soon start to see a positive change in the way your employees interact with customers, patients, and each other during the long, summer months.
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