There is a direct correlation between happy employees and improved workplace productivity. In fact, study after study after study shows that a happy worker creates a high-performing business. In one of the studies, Dr Sgroi of the Department of Economics at the University of Warwick said: “the driving force seems to be that happier workers use the time they have more effectively, increasing the pace at which they can work without sacrificing quality.”

It seems that not only are happy employees more productive, they are less prone to making errors that can cost the business money. But before we talk about how you can increase your workplace happiness factor, let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons for employee unhappiness. 

Every workplace has unique challenges, but you are most likely to see these 5 on any list of problem areas.

• Bad bosses – micromanagers top the list of “what makes a bad boss?” I’m sure you weren’t surprised.
• Low value work – unhappy employees feel that the work they do is not engaging or challenging so they feel unfulfilled.
• Lack of career development opportunities – no one is happy if they feel like they’re stuck.
• No recognition – we all have an inherent need to be recognized for a job well done or at the very least, appreciated for our efforts.
• Zero workplace flexibility – in an era where hybrid working (remote work + in office work) is beginning to be the new normal, having no clear-cut delineation between personal lives and work is a sure formula for burnout and employee dissatisfaction.

To improve your organization’s happiness quotient, here are 3 tips:

1. Manage well and manage up

Good managers provide meaningful feedback and give recognition to a job well done. These managers equip their employees with the skills so that they can work with autonomy and get things done their way. Great managers encourage personal development and career progress so that employees understand that they have opportunities to grow and can constantly aim for the next level in their career.

2. Provide high value work

Nobody wants to feel like a cog in a wheel. By providing interesting work, managers can stimulate creativity and innovation. When workers are given high value work, they feel challenged and look forward to coming to work.

3. Give them flexibility

Having the technology and capacity to contact people via instant messaging or chat does not mean that employees are available 24/7. With so many things to juggle in this never ending pandemic, employees should prioritize a healthy work-life balance. Employers should be able to respect the time of workers with a fixed schedule. No one likes to get last minute tasks after work hours. If the company has the bandwidth to accommodate flexible or hybrid working, then by all means do so. By offering people the choice of flexible hours or remote working options, employers actually increase job satisfaction.

What are your tried and tested tips for increasing happiness in the workplace? Share them with us in the comments. Remember to work smart and be a blessing to someone today. Stay safe and healthy!

Written by Jaie O. TheHelp

Not all of us have returned to the workplace. Some employers have encouraged their employees to keep working from home. Others have planned “The Great Return To The Workplace” but had to hold off because of the Omicron variant surge. Digital professionals definitely have the option to keep working from home indefinitely. And those who have returned to the office are busy hyper-vigilantly cleaning surfaces and staying away from crowded and confined spaces. Since close physical proximity is not an available option, is the covid crisis the last blow to office romance?

Surprise, surprise! Office romance is actually on the rise. Data from Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) show that workers who are currently involved in a workplace romance have risen. One of their key findings from the 2021 survey is that approximately “one quarter of U.S. workers either began a new workplace romance during the COVID-19 pandemic or have continued an existing workplace romance that began prior to the pandemic.”

How is this even possible when co-workers only get to check in on each other through virtual spaces? SHRM President and Chief Executive Officer Johnny C. Taylor, Jr explains: “During a period where we’re spending more time isolated than together, workers are looking for meaningful connections.” While proximity might not be possible, care and warmth can still be felt and shown through any virtual medium. It just goes to show that love transcends time and space.

Romantic entanglements in the workplace are nothing new. It’s the stuff that rom-coms and award-winning comedy series are made of. The fan favorite movie, “Love Actually” has at least 5 work-romance-related story arcs. The hit series “The Office” had us following Pam and Jim’s love story for nine seasons. However, real-life workplace romances don’t always end happily ever after. That is why we often remind new hires during anti-harassment training that romantic relationships at work can cause problems for both employers and employees.

Office romance is an inevitable part of working and most companies recognize that. While a zero-tolerance policy for workplace romance is ideal, it is not realistically enforceable. In fact, a good 78% of employers do not require their employees to disclose a romantic relationship. However, professionalism must always prevail above all else in the workplace in order to keep working relationships and workplaces running smoothly. Since child labor is illegal, it is safe to say that we’re all adults here and do not have to be reminded that everyone in the workplace is expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner at all times. Therefore, public displays of affection, even in virtual settings (yes, it happens) should be out of the question.

It is in the best interest of employers, especially HR professionals, to update their implemented guidelines and policies regarding workplace romance to mitigate incidents of favoritism, retaliation, and sexual harassment and ultimately adapt to the ever-evolving workplace culture.

Happy Valentine’s Day! Remember to work smart and be a blessing to someone today. Stay safe and healthy!

Written by Jaie O. TheHelp

The average person will spend approximately 90,000 hours at work over a lifetime. That’s roughly equivalent to 3750 days or 35% of your waking hours. Given that you are happy with your job, it’s still too much time to be spent in an office, if you ask me. This is why the option to do remote work has been a welcome and refreshing change. Working from home gives us more control over our work environment than ever before.

Now, that you have the power to customize your work environment, why not level it up? The ideal home office should be as comfortable as it can be. It should also inspire creativity and productivity. Finally, it should help improve your health and boost the quality of your work.

I understand the challenges that come with working from home. So here are 3 common challenges you can find in a home office and some tips on how to improve them.

1. You don’t have ergonomic office equipment.

Most organizations have the budget to provide their employees with ergonomic equipment. However, if you work from home, you might be working off a kitchen table or the couch in your living room. Both options do not provide sustainable lumbar support. This could strain your back and could lead to health issues, especially if you work 8 hours a day.

The good news is that you don’t need to buy an expensive ergonomic chair, although it is a good investment if you have the budget. There are other ways to get comfortable seating. You can purchase a seat cushion that can relieve the stress on your back brought about by hard seats. This article has recommendations for seat cushions. Find one within your budget range.

If you’re struggling with wrist fatigue, you can try out an ergonomic mouse. Pair it with a mouse pad that has wrist support to reduce strain while you work for extended periods of time.

2. You have fluorescent lighting.

Fluorescent lighting is not flattering and will not do you any favors if you spend a lot of time on video calls. The key is to switch to a softer, yellow-toned light or smart light bulbs if you have the budget for it. 

The gold standard is still natural lighting. So, if you can. Set your home office up near a window. Make sure you are facing the light source to make sure that you are always camera-ready. If you work nights, a simple ring light can do wonders for how you look on video.

3. Your home office is cluttered.

The simple and time-tested solution is to de-clutter. You don’t have to spend all your free time cleaning, though. For starters, buy bins and organizers and make sure that every item has a home. This system keeps your clutter “organized” and out of sight. You can sort out the contents of the bin when you have time.

If you don’t have bins and organizers, you can always improvise. Use coffee mugs or an empty wafer roll canister to corral your pens, pencils, highlighters, and scissors. Save your containers and use them for desk knick-knacks like pins, tape rolls, and post-its. Tame your cables with basic painter’s tape. Organize your notebooks and copy paper with bookends. Use what you already have. Get creative.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to create your dream office. With a few changes, you can create a workspace you genuinely love spending time in. What are your DIY home office sprucing up tips? Share them with us in the comments. Remember to work smart and be a blessing to someone today. Stay safe and healthy!

Written by Jaie O. TheHelp