6 ways to make your employees feel happy and appreciated

Be Happy

Whilst it may seem obvious, having a positive attitude yourself brightens up the room for everyone. A positive attitude can boost team morale and reduces workplace stress. This way other employees feel comfortable to also admit when they made a mistake early or suggest an idea that they might have been too shy to bring up. As a manager, you can identify pain points and opportunities earlier than before. And the best part is that being happy at work is just more fun! Let your joy spread to the rest of your team. 

Say Hello! 

Greeting your coworkers and employees is a great way to start the day. Not only will they feel acknowledged, but it also helps build a connection with the team. A simple greeting can help spark a conversation that otherwise might not have taken place and makes going to work more enjoyable. If you or your team works remotely, then having a morning standup meeting can be a great way to catch up and discuss your plans for the day without having to be in the same office. 

A simple “good job” goes a long way 

For managers, it is easy to make people feel valued and appreciated. Some studies have shown up to 79 percent of employees who quit their jobs said a lack of appreciation was the main reason they quit. If you show your appreciation for your direct team, you reduce employee turnover through increased happiness. Providing compliments and praise for your employees not only improves the happiness of the workforce but also shows employees that their work matters.

Focus on the journey

Michael Thiemann from Strategy-Labs said during a Forbes interview that the employee journey is very similar to the customer journey. To make sure that the journey is perceived as positive, it is important to give the employee the direction and guidance they need to cohere to the company mission and vision. A lost employee won’t be a happy or successful employee. Our 30-60-90 plan  helps you ensure that new employees have a clear plan on been aligned with the company culture, vision, and goals. 

Throw a party 

Work hard, play hard. Your team invests time every day to do their tasks, but sometimes it is also nice to do non-work-related activities at work. Monthly Friday drinks are a great way to catch up with your team on issues that have less to do with business. Get to know your team and their individual interests better. Events like these make going to work more enjoyable, as your employees have something to look forward to.  Utilize these events also as a platform to congratulate employees on achievements both at work and in their personal lives. 

Don’t forget to say goodbye!

Companies usually spend 8 times less attention on employees that are leaving than on new recruits. At first glance, it may seem counterintuitive to invest time into an employee that is offboarding. However, besides the valuable information, you can collect during the offboarding process, a proper farewell makes sure that your employee leaves as a brand ambassador. Also, a proper offboarding process will allow time for their coworkers to say farewell to their colleagues. Allowing your other employees to say goodbye shows them how much they are valued as employees of the company. To make sure you offboard your employees correctly check out our Offboarding Checklist. 

Keeping your employees happy and feeling appreciated doesn’t have to be a difficult task. With these simple tips, you can ensure happiness in your company and make sure your employees feel appreciated. You may have noticed that many of these tips relate to the employee journey, as happiness and the feeling of recognition are key factors that determine the length of your employee’s journey at your company. To get the most out of your employee’s experience, from the day they sign the contract to the day they leave your company, check out our platform that provides a digital solution to all of your pre- to offboarding needs.