There is a lot of talk about employee engagement, or perhaps we should say, lack of employee engagement. Many elements contribute to employee engagement including how happy your employees feel when they are at work. Happy employees are more productive and loyal. Here are five simple tips on how you can improve happiness in your workplace:

1. Offer Praise!

Praise your team members when they are doing well and show that it’s noticed! Don’t be the boss that only offers criticism. If there are areas that need improving, ask your staff member(s) if they need more training. Remember – everyone has their own learning style and pace.

2. Engage with your Employees

There’s nothing worse than a manager that hides away in their office all day with the door closed. Take time out of your day to smile and say hello, be interested in them as an individual. Ask how the weekend was. Believe me, this goes a long way!

3. Host Events

It could be something as easy as a morning tea or sausage sizzle once a month. Getting everyone together to interact and bond does wonders for building team spirit and boosting morale.

4. Don’t Micromanage!

Autonomy in roles is important. Trust your staff. Be there to help and answer questions. Your job is to let them do their job. No-one likes being micromanaged. TRUST ME, your team will resent you and their job. Just don’t do it!

5. Decorate the Office

Amp up the feel in the office by adding plants, wall hangings and photos from staff events on the walls. If you’re like me and can’t keep a plant alive to save your life (damn those needy fiddle leaf figs) there are some very real looking artificial plants around these days. Remember, if you go for real plants, they help improve air quality so perhaps appoint someone in the office who has a green thumb to keep them flourishing (surely there’s one!).

So, there you have it folks! Simple tips that won’t break the budget and aren’t difficult or time-consuming to implement. By implementing them you should see more smiles in your workplace.

“Clients do not come first. Employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of the clients” – Richard Branson