How to Create a Happy Office Environment

You may spend a lot of time thinking about how well your

business is performing, your sales numbers, and whether

customers are happy. How much energy do you put into

creating a great place for your employees to work, though?

When you put time and effort into creating a happy office

environment, you’ll help boost employee performance while

improving their mood.

Prioritize comfort

Even if you love your office building, there are probably

ways to make it more comfortable. First, all of your employees

should have a desk and chair that’s comfortable (and ergonomically safe)

to work at. Beyond that, though, consider comfy upgrades like living

room areas for meetings or brainstorming; warm lighting instead of harsh

fluorescents; and a break room where people can unwind and feel

rejuvenated.

Pay special attention to lighting

We already mentioned swapping out fluorescent bulbs for more

welcoming lighting, but the topic deserves a little more attention.

Lighting can play a role in how well your workers perform, as well

as their attitude and mood. Whenever possible, natural light is best

– let your employees work outside or open up the shades to let in

sunlight.

If more natural light isn’t an option, consider getting blue light

bulbs, which help to limit fatigue and improve happiness.

Blue-enriched bulbs are best in rooms for working or brainstorming.

In the areas where you want employees to feel at ease, like I meeting

rooms and break areas, use warmer bulbs, like ores that simulate sunlight.

Make sure everything is functioning and supportive

Employees can only do their job well and without stress if the tools

they use are functioning well. On top of making sure technology and

basic equipment is up and running, also spend some time thinking about

the tools that could help them work better. For example, maybe special

furniture design, like large desks for writing or sketching, would be great

in addition to the regular computer desks. If your team members collaborate

a lot, consider an area where they can sit and chat face to face.

Celebrate the holidays

Creating a festive workplace is never easier than during the

holidays. Spend an afternoon decorating with your employees,

play holiday music and bake some yummy snacks. Don’t have

a ton of room in your office for décor? A few hanging stockings,

some well-placed lights and a skinny Christmas tree should do the trick.

Change up the routine

Once in a while, it’s great to make a break from the routine.

If you have some downtime, plan some perks for your employees,

like an impromptu afternoon off, or a sort of fun retreat, like a fancy

lunch out or part of the day at the park. If you can’t spare that much

time out of the office, consider bringing a pro in to offer chair massages

mid-morning or have a special breakfast catered at the beginning of the day.

Consider flex time or remote workplaces

Employees love jobs where they have a lot of flexibility. If your office

can handle the change, consider offering flex time (where workers

pick their hours) or remote work opportunities (where they work from

home). Having employees set their own schedules, so long as they’re

hitting a specific hour mark for the week, can mean that they work when

their energy and focus is highest. Remote work means that there’s less

of a drain on office expenses.

Never neglect your employees – they’re at the forefront of your

business, and their happiness has a direct affect on your success.

If you want a long-lasting, thriving business, make sure you have a

workplace where people are motivated to work.