Can a positive work environment increase productivity?
Posted: 20 March 2019 at 11:53 am | Author: Lauren Daws
With it estimated that we spend around 35% of our 50-year working life at work, it’s vital we enjoy being there. We can’t be expected to look forward to every working day in the same way we look forward to the weekends. However, that doesn’t mean we have to dread going to work every morning. So, knowing that we’re going to spend such a big portion of our lives there, finding the right work environment is key. Take a look below at just some of the ways in which a positive work environment can actually increase productivity.
Employees who are happy at work are more likely to go the extra mile
A negative work environment won’t bring out the best in employees. Instead your staff are likely to be checking the clock all day just waiting to go home. However, if you treat your staff well and they enjoy coming to work, they’re more likely to go that extra mile. Putting more effort into the tasks they’re set and working harder to progress within their role.
Loyalty
If you treat your staff well, they’re less likely to look for other job opportunities. Ensuring that as an employer, you create a positive work environment in which your employees can thrive will encourage staff loyalty. Having a loyal workforce means you’ll spend less time and resources on recruiting and training up new members of staff – so it really is in your best interest! What’s more – in the words of Richard Branson, “if you look after your staff, they’ll look after your customers”.
Communication and team work
A healthy working environment can lead to effective communication and good team work. If your employees can get to know one another, they’re likely to feel more comfortable putting their ideas and opinions out there. Working together and welcoming different perspectives to tasks can help bring about a fresh outlook that might not have been considered before. Not to mention that tackling tasks as a team will really speed things up.
Stressed staff can be less productive
While some businesses believe if their employees are under constant pressure they’ll work harder, research suggests otherwise. The study suggests that highly stressed staff are more likely to take more days off due to sickness. What’s more – increased stress levels can cause or add to health issues such as headaches/migraines, insomnia, depression, anxiety and even cardiovascular diseases including heart disease, high blood pressure and strokes.