What’s the key to creating a healthy working environment?

The physical, emotional and mental health of people within an environment is paramount in ensuring that it works efficiently. A healthy company generally functions well and shows regard for its employees, and it’s likely to retain those workers and get the most out of them to reap the rewards in terms of productivity. Here’s how to achieve that environment:     Fairness A manager might have their favourites and people they’re not so keen on, but this should not translate to different treatment. Rewarding one employee and failing to recognise the work of another who performs equally well could cause resentment and jealousy, and the same is due of unfair punishment. No-one minds talented, hardworking people climbing the ladder, as long as it is consistent. An important part of this process is feedback on why decisions were taken, recognition of particularly good work, and what an employee can do in the future to better themselves. This should be equally distributed where appropriate, applying to managerial and junior staff alike. However, that also means that staff’s particular needs (religion, health, disability etc) should be respected and acknowledged.   Efficiency How many times have you heard an employee berating the technology they work with, or the organisation within an office? Maybe they complain about a lack of communication, or that the HR system is disordered. If a company is haphazard in the way it works, there could be a breakdown of efficiency and a potential loss of customers, and perhaps revenue. Therefore, streamlining and ensuring that things go smoothly – as far as is possible – is paramount. Encouraging the use of technology such as Google Drive, smartphones, working remotely and CIPHR software (HR) is a good first step. Regular meetings between and within departments is another, where pain points can be identified early and resolved.   Leadership and positivity A company that is expanding and bringing in new business, and encourages positive thinking and the formulation of ideas, is likely to create vibrancy. New customers, routines and processes bring new challenges, and therefore agility of thought is paramount. Bosses who listen to ways of implementing and coordinating this, are likely to be liked and respected. Even if things don’t always go to plan on a day-to-day basis, a positive company that is pulling in the same direction and showing real signs of flourishing, will enable happiness. Eliminating bullying, harassment, and favouritism are first steps towards this.   Happiness When people arrive at the workplace in the morning, do they have a smile on their face? Do they arrive early and leave late, with no questions asked? Do they engage, or sit silently and solemnly? Do they enjoy it? Happy workers are more likely to try harder and stay in the company rather than jumping ship, and even those who don’t like their role might be inclined to work harder if the atmosphere in the workplace is uplifting. A tense, angry air of despondency will be feared, and ultimately staff will depart. There are a huge number of ways of promoting wellbeing within the working environment. Suggestions might include playing music in the office and running regular social events; memberships to local gyms, and cinema tickets; fun team-building events and competitions; bonuses for Christmas and birthdays; and installing popcorn machines and table tennis/football. They’re simple things that make people smile.