The average British workplace is not a cheery domain. Over 55% of UK workers are unhappy in their jobs, according to a recent survey by training course site Course Library.

Having grumpy employees isn’t just an office atmosphere killer, it ultimately affects a company’s profits. A study from the University of Warwick reveals that happy and engaged staff are 12% more productive, while unhappy staff are 10% less productive. Meanwhile, low employee engagement is reportedly costing the UK £340bn per year.

Happiness at work not only improves a person’s overall wellbeing but leads to them staying in their jobs longer. It can also create a stronger workplace culture and improve communication and problem solving. Here are some ways to help spread a bit of joy in your workplace.

Prioritise personal development

Investing in personal development makes people feel they are progressing and, when coupled with recognition and rewards, it becomes a powerful formula for getting the best performance. The Course Library study showed that a quarter of dissatisfied workers felt their unhappiness at work was due to lack of development opportunities. Focus on people’s individual needs and requirements at work. Make sure each member of your team is being challenged in ways that are beneficial to their own development and contribute to the success of the team.

Take time to talk

Everyone has different expectations from their roles. Find out if the people on your team need help or if they feel bored and want to try new things. When things are going well for an employee, ask what’s been working for them and offer support and encouragement. If there is a problem, make time to sit down with them to chat it through.

Give back control

When an employee has a great idea why not offer them some hours in the week to dedicate to seeing it through? When people make their own decisions, they feel more confident, capable, and determined to see a project they own succeed, which boosts their own productivity, sense of pride and job satisfaction.

It’s all about the perks

Bigger businesses may have the budget to offer perks such as free gym membership but rewards and perks don’t have to be costly and are a great way make people feel appreciated. A recent survey by office design firm Peldon Rose showed 84% of workers believe that small perks, such as leaving work early occasionally or even getting ice creams in the summer, would make them more productive – yet 34% of businesses don’t offer these. Introducing a few simple pleasures into the working day helps to show you care.

Get out of the office

Spending time outdoors can improve self-esteem and mood, help concentration and creative thinking. Whether it’s holding a meeting outside, going for a short walk, encouraging sports or even doing a team challenge for charity, creating bonds beyond the office is important for relationship building.

Say thank you

Feeling appreciated makes people more engaged at work. Saying thank you for simple day-to-day tasks doesn’t cost anything but can make a huge difference to a person’s wellbeing.

Tom Shopland is a team building coordinator at Mocean Adventures

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