Creating a Positive Work Environment: 9 Tips for Businesses

Do you own or manage a business? Are you wondering how you can create a positive environment for your employees, clients, and guests?

Crafting a positive work experience is fundamental to running a business successfully. Happy employees will be more productive, successful, and healthier than those who feel undervalued. This can result in lower turnover, fewer healthcare costs, and a better experience for your customers.

Here’s what you need to know about creating a positive workplace culture.

1. Improve Your Workplace Design

Consider designing an office space that supports positive energy. Make sure you keep your space neat, light, and uncluttered.

Ergonomic desks and chairs can help employees sit more comfortably and perform better. And believe it or not, certain colors can foster productivity.

For example, teal can be very motivating and soft yellow is inspirational. Green will create a sense of balance and calm.

Add plenty of overhead lighting so folks don’t have to strain to see their computer screens. You can also bring in plants to improve creativity and reduce depression.

2. Give Lots Of Praise and Encouragement

We’ve all worked for supervisors who only spoke to us when we did something wrong. In order for employees to feel valued and produce at their best, let them know that you see when they are getting things right.

When complimenting employees, make sure you are specific. Let them know how much you appreciate them working overtime, helping their coworker, or submitting high-quality work. General praise can come across as insincere.

It’s also important to let others see you giving positive feedback to a particular employee. This will encourage them to seek similar approval. It can also be a fantastic way to boost the morale of the complimented employee.

In addition, it helps to give positive feedback for a job well done right away. It can encourage them to continue doing the same kind of work before they change direction.

3. Foster Appropriate Socializing

Of course, you’ll want to make sure work is everyone’s first priority during the day. But you don’t want work to feel like a prison, either.

If possible, set up some cozy chairs and tables near the office kitchen so employees can chat during the lunch or coffee breaks. Your employees may find that they have things in common.

Even if everyone doesn’t get along beautifully, small talk can relieve tension and help your employees to feel accepted. Happy hours on Fridays or once-a-month lunches can be something that everyone will look forward to. In the long run, happy employees will turn out better work.

4. Have Rewards In Place

Many employees will do their best work if they know there will be a tangible reward. Things like bonus pay, time off, or work-from-home days can motivate them to produce more than they normally would. You can also consider recognizing them on your company website or newsletter.

The same types of rewards won’t work best for every staff. Canvas them first for an idea of what they find most intriguing. Then make sure that all employees get similar rewards for a job well done.

5. Listen To Your Employees’ Ideas

It’s important to reward employees for having the courage to suggest new ideas, even if you don’t know if they will work. Your workers will feel like they are a part of the growth of the company as a whole. It can also make them hopeful that they may be able to take on more of a leadership role in the future if they find that motivating.

An email asking for suggestions or a contribution time at the end of a meeting may be all that’s required to get the creative juice flowing. Make sure your employees feel that their thoughts are valued.

6. Set Clear Goals

Employees get frustrated when they aren’t sure what’s expected of them. If you want them to improve sales numbers, for example, make sure you tell them what would be a good number for the month. This way, they will know they are doing a satisfactory job if they meet the criteria.

7. Prioritize Self-Care

Many employees are too busy with families and work to prioritize their well-being and it shows. Yet this will result in a tired, listless staff that views work largely as an obligation.

Help your employees prioritize self-care in whatever way you can. This may mean giving out discounts to the gym or massage gift cards a the holidays. You can also offer yoga or Zumba classes on-site.

Let your staff know in whatever way you can that their health and well-being are important to you and the company.

8. Be Clear About Company Values

During the onboarding process, be sure to let your staff know what your company values and appreciates. Many values align with those of your employees and can motivate them to do a wonderful job. You can consider placing a list of these values in visible places throughout your workspace.

9. Encourage Communication

The office is a professional space and not everything should be shared. However, it’s important that your staff feels comfortable talking to you about potential problems or conflicts that are making it difficult to do their job.

Make sure your staff knows that you are a safe, professional person they can come to if there is a legitimate concern. Addressing it could keep you from needing to hire a new employee.