Enhancing Employee Happiness in the Work Place

By Rusky Ahamed

Introduction

It is very important to understand the significance of employee happiness at work places in order to achieve the organizational success. A happy and satisfied employees can increase productivity as well as well as they can create a positive work culture.

Figure 1:Employee Happiness
(Vantagecircle, 2023)

Importance of Employee Happiness

In this day and age, workplace happiness is vital as it affects employee retention and satisfaction. It increases productivity, creativity, stability and better behavior. Happy employees lead successful lives, achieve job satisfaction, self-motivation and reduce staff turnover. In order to improve interpersonal relations, achieve corporate spiritual values and serve customers better, organizations should focus on achieving employee happiness at workplaces (Gangwani, et al., 2020). Employee happiness is crucial for improved performance and overall business success.

(Alex Bratty, 2019)

Ways to Enhance Employee Happiness

1. Recognition and Appreciation

It's very important to acknowledge employees' contributions. Their achievements should be recognized on a regular basis with encouraging words, written notes, or by making public announcements. Employee satisfaction and engagement are higher among those who feel valued. Implementing employee appreciation program can significantly improve morale (O'Flaherty, et al., 2021).

2. Work-Life Balance Matters

Promote a healthy work-life balance. Provide generous vacation days, remote work choices, and flexible working hours. When employees feel they can manage their personal lives effectively, they bring their best selves to work. And they are happier and more productive too (Kalev & Dobbin, 2022).

Figure 2:Work Life Balance Mind Map 
(Mihaljko, 2023)

3. Professional Development Opportunities

Make ways for growth and learning. Offer training programs, workshops, and mentorship. When employees see opportunities for professional development, they are more likely to stay committed to their organization (Ganesh, 2023).

4. Fair Compensation and Benefits

Providing competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits. Providing non-monetary benefits such as health insurance, wellness programs, and retirement plans and aligning them with the current industry standers (Ganesh, 2023).

5. Positive Relationships and Team Building

Promoting a friendly and collaborative atmosphere and encouraging team-building activities. Employees enjoy working in an environment where they feel connected to their colleagues (Houston, 2019).

6. Transparent Communication

Being transparent in communication. Regularly update employees on company news, goals, and performance metrics. Trust and fosters engagement is built by effective communication (Hadziahmetovic & Salihovic, 2022). 

7. Prioritize Physical Well-Being

Prioritizing employee well-being by investing in their health and comfort. Creating ergonomic workstations, offer healthy food options, and promote physical activities. Workplace wellness initiatives can enhance employee satisfaction and boost productivity. Explore programs to create a supportive and thriving work environment (GGI Insights, 2024).

Figure 3:Benefits of Employee Happiness and Satisfaction
(FasterCapital, 2024)

Case Study: Sampath Bank PLC

Sampath Bank PLC is one of the top private banks in Sri Lanka and it provides a wide range of contemporary banking services and products to individuals, small and medium-sized businesses, and corporations. With 229 locations around the island, Sampath Bank has the third-largest network of commercial banks in Sri Lanka. The Bank is proud of its industry-leading digital footprint and is honored to have the largest agent banking network in the nation (Sampath Bank, 2023).

Sampath Bank has continuously shown leadership in implementing international best practices to establish a top-notch workplace that will foster growth and success for staff members. They mark 96.3% Employee Retention Ratio and 81% Employee Satisfaction Ratio as a business outcome (Sampath Bank, 2023).

In order to enhance employee happiness and satisfaction, Sampath Bank's strategies are in line with the previously listed effective methods, providing compelling evidence that the strategies are indeed beneficial.

According the Sampath Bank (2023) below facts reflects their initiatives to serve the employee satisfaction and happiness in line with the above strategies.

• Bank has recognized 47 team members who have served for 25 years.

• Taking part in sports events such as rugby and hockey.

• Investing 56.6 Mn training and professional studies.

• Providing 10.5% salary increment.

• Initiating 24/7 HR Hotline for employees.

• Initiating MD's Desk communication to share important information, business progress and convey the management expectations.

• In the middle of the 2022 fuel crisis, a fleet of luxurious buses were placed along specific routes to facilitate the team members' commutes to their designated work locations to support staff members.

 Above examples and observations highlight how successful the previously outlined strategies are.

Conclusion

By purposeful efforts a happy workplace can be created. Organizations and businesses can promote an environment where employees blossom, leading to better outcomes for everyone by implementing these strategies.

References

• Alex Bratty, 2019. Why Is Happiness Important At Work?. [Online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNiKvsF0qpQ [Accessed 30 03 2024].

• FasterCapital, 2024. The Importance of Employee Happiness and Satisfaction. [Online] Available at: https://fastercapital.com/content/The-Importance-of-Employee-Happiness-and-Satisfaction.html [Accessed 30 03 2024].

• Ganesh, K., 2023. Employee engagement and retention: A complete guide with proven tips and strategies. [Online] Available at: https://www.culturemonkey.io/employee-engagement/workplace-employee-engagement-and-retention/ [Accessed 30 03 2024].

• Gangwani, S., Alhalawany, R. & Sheikh, S., 2020. Determinants of Employee Workplace Happiness in Hospitality Sector in Riyadh. International Journal of Innovation Science, 14(12), pp. 1209-1228.

• GGI Insights, 2024. Workplace Wellness: Tips and Resources for Creating a Wellness Culture. [Online] Available at: https://www.graygroupintl.com/blog/workplace-wellness [Accessed 30 03 2024].

• Hadziahmetovic, N. & Salihovic, N., 2022. The Role of Transparent Communication and Leadership in Employee Engagement. International Journal of Academic Research in Economics and Management Sciences, 11(2), pp. 558 - 571.

• Houston, E., 2019. The Importance of Positive Relationships in the Workplace. [Online] Available at: https://positivepsychology.com/positive-relationships-workplace/ [Accessed 30 03 2024].

• Kalev, A. & Dobbin, F., 2022. The Surprising Benefits of Work/Life Support. [Online] Available at: https://hbr.org/2022/09/the-surprising-benefits-of-work-life-support?registration=success [Accessed 30 03 2023].

• Mihaljko, I., 2023. Achieving Work-Life Balance: Tips and Strategies - Episode 2. [Online] Available at: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/achieving-work-life-balance-tips-strategies-episode-igor-mihaljko [Accessed 30 03 2024].

• O'Flaherty, S., Sanders, M. T. & Whillans, A., 2021. Research: A Little Recognition Can Provide a Big Morale Boost. [Online] Available at: https://hbr.org/2021/03/research-a-little-recognition-can-provide-a-big-morale-boost [Accessed 30 03 2024].

• Sampath Bank, 2023. Annual Report 2022. Colombo: Sampath Bank PLC.

• Vantagecircle, 2023. Employee Happiness: Why Happy Workers Are Productive Workers. [Online] Available at: https://blog.vantagecircle.com/employee-happiness-workplace/ [Accessed 30 03 2024].