ELEMENTS THAT CREATE LASTING HAPPINESS AT THE WORK PLACE
We understand that every workplace should reflect professionalism, but sometimes when there is so much tension in the air, your employees might get frustrated. For your business to thrive, your employees have to be happy. When employees are happier, there is a high probability that they will be more productive. Add to that, happy workers feel comfortable while working so there is every tendency that your employees might want to stay in your organization for long.
According to a survey conducted by the CNBC, approximately 85% of American citizens are not happy at their workplace.
Real happiness fosters an environment for collaboration, making colleagues understand themselves better. Workplace happiness will also encourage members of staff to work longer in an organization. Despite the importance of happiness in a work environment, there are only few organizations where you can find workers that are genuinely happy.
If you are doing everything possible towards ensuring that your employees stay happy while carrying out their responsibilities in their workplace, there are some factors you should consider. That your workers are having fun does not signify that they are happy.
Where some employers get it all wrong is that they create fun activities to kill boredom without nipping the problem in the bud. You might decide to create fun pass times such as a beverage bar, but such will only serve as a non-permanent distraction for workers. These are some elements you should inculcate in your work culture;
The perfect fit
When it comes to having a happy work environment, the belief of having a square peg in a round hole doesn’t apply. If workers genuinely love the kind of jobs that they have been hired to do, it means they will look forward to showing up at work every morning. Some firms employ professionals who do not cherish their jobs, money can never buy likeness. To ensure that you are creating lasting happiness at work place, carry out a routine check to know if the person you are employing will love spending time while doing the work he/she has been hired to do.
Socialization
For things to run smoothly in the office, your workers have to connect with one another. Humans are built in such a way that makes thrive better when they socialize. You do not have to throw parties for your workers to get to know and understand themselves better. Oftentimes, those of us that are reclusive become more productive when we connect with our team members at work. Firms that provide avenues for healthy connections create happiness in a work environment. Connections among colleagues are formed when they are created when they socialize.
Sometimes, employees complain about not getting along with their coworker(s). You can either see such employees arguing with others, or in some occasions they feel left out. Create an environment where there is healthy competition among colleagues. When coworkers begin to see themselves as rivals, there will be so much pent up anger and negative energy in the workspace.
To encourage bonding among your workers, it is advisable to place them in teams and allow them work without pressure. Working in a stress-free environment will not only make your workers happier, but it will harness the power of team spirit.

Trust
When workers feel like they are constantly being watched, they will not be happy. Employers and employees feel happier at their workplace when they are given the liberty to express themselves without being monitored. One of the ways to do is by increasing the flexibility of work hours. For trust to be built, it has to come from both sides; the business owners and their employees.
As an employee, you should be able to work hard to gain the trust of your employers while business managers should cultivate the habit of trusting their workers. Trust is the core of employee-manager partnership, and one of the ways to create a trustworthy relationship is by communication.
Your employees will be happier when they can trust your discretion to make the best decisions when it comes to the welfare of your employees and that of your business.
Appreciation/ Respect
No man is an island. The success of your company relies heavily on the actions of your workers. If you want your employees to be happy while at work, ensure you treat that as humans. There are too unhappy employees out there who are dissatisfied about being treated without respect by their bosses.
A ten year study conducted in the United States showed that approximately 79% of employees quit their jobs because they felt they were not being appreciate at their workplace.
In the same vein, reports also show that most workers state that the best thing their managers could give to them is recognition and respect. The study further proves that most employees prefer being inspired by their bosses over having a pay raise or promotion.
Disrespect and lack of appreciation will break even the most cheerful of men. Make sure your workers stay happy always. Acknowledge a job well done by your employee, and you’ll notice that he/she will be willing to do more. Respect, appreciation and recognition goes a long way.
Failing’s one way to success
Failure is not the end of a person’s life. As humans, our minds have been programmed to be afraid of failure. We find any indicator of failure cringeworthy- the low grades at school or poor scores at test. But if you want your business to go through a phase of invention, innovation and creativity, you have to bring on board people that are not afraid to fail- this is where the need for risk takers come to play.
If as an employer, you have workers that are not scared of trying new approaches without truncating their career or destroying their employment- you are in luck. Such boldness will go a long way in boosting the growth of your company.
Work-life balance
As a manager, you have to understand the external factors that can affect your employee’s happiness. Sometimes, the cause of unhappiness might stem from physiological factors such as health status, family issues, stress, long-term goals and so much more.
When an employee is plagued with non-related work problems, it might affect his productivity at work.To ensure that your employee stays happy at all times, encourage a platform where there can be an equilibrium between work and personal life.

Passion over paychecks
It is quite understandable that the sole aim of every business is to make profits in the long run. However, if you want to stay in business for a long time with happy workers, build a brand with a solid foundation. If you put money making at the forefront of your enterprise, you will only attract workers who are out to work for money. Mind you, many career-minded individuals in their lifetime will spend approximately a third of their lifetime working. Money cannot make their time worthwhile.
When you employ people that are only after money, such workers are only excited when it’s time for their paycheck- when they have to smile to the bank. Chasing dollar bills will not make your employees happy and fulfilled- there has to be a bigger picture and goal.
For growth, you need to create a mission that your employees will want to key into. Having a clear cut mission will make everyone at work excited. When your mission is defined, you will attract individuals who have the same dreams and aspirations as you have. What’s more? When you have a goal that is greater than the love of money, the world we be a much better place.
Challenge
There’s always that one worker that is always the last in, first out. You can make your staff enjoy being in his/her work environment. Want your employees to kick boredom away while they are at work? Engage them in a challenge. When workers get challenged in their workplace, they are always motivated to do more. A boisterous workplace fosters an environment for taking up new skills and going the extra mile to see that a task is properly executed.
When employees feel like they have been stuck in one spot for years, doing the same old thing, they will feel bored and unhappy. Such workers are bound to head for the door sooner than later. AS a business manager, endeavor to always get the feedback of your workers from time to time. Getting feedbacks is the only to know how your employees are faring. From the report on the feedbacks, you’ll be able to know how to tweak things to keep boredom at bay.
Managers should ensure that they tailor challenges to meet the needs of each of their workers. Using the same method of approach to find solutions to problems will only discourage the high quality of workers than can grow your business.
To create long-lasting happiness at your workplace, it is pivotal to keep the above mentioned elements in mind. Managers should have a rapport with employees to enable them bridge any loophole that might be unhealthy for their workspace. In addition, practice daily steps that will encourage your workers to remain creative and happy at all times.