Even with the recent promising results of remote work, some companies still think they have to be in the same space as their employees to incite peak performance. We’re finding out, though, that employees are more inclined to work hard when you trust them and allow them the space to grow.
By allowing employees some breathing room and creating a more flexible, fun work environment, you can ensure your workforce is motivated to do their best work. Also, employees are likely to stay longer when they are satisfied with their jobs and do meaningful work for your company.
Read on for how companies can provide employees with more flexibility, fun, and perks in their workplaces to inspire better work, encourage well-balanced lives, attract top talent, and increase job satisfaction.
Create a Positive Work Culture
The foundation you build your work environment on is critical. For example, suppose your company culture is rigid, full of job insecurity, and overworked employees. In that case, you’ll never attract top talent. In addition, the employees you do get won’t stay long because effects like impaired cognitive function will impact their ability to find purpose in their work.
On the other hand, if your work culture is full of empathy, understanding, flexibility, and appreciation, your employees can avoid the harmful physical, emotional, and spiritual effects unhealthy work environments can bring.
Positive work culture will significantly improve your employees’ quality of life and work. Ensure the foundation of your workplace environment is rooted in:
- Positivity
- Encouraging a healthy work-life balance
- Respect for cultural and life differences
- Responsible and productive employee interactions
- Deep support and resources for employees
- Ethical and empathetic leadership
- Social responsibility
Also, a considerable part of creating a positive work culture is making rest an inherent part of it.
Make Naps and Other Relaxation Methods Available
Who else could benefit from a midday nap at work? Or how about a meditation class for lunch? Gym time, maybe? The afternoon slump is real, even if you’re working remotely. That slump hits even harder when you’re stressed or burnt out from working long hours and consecutive days.
Asking your employees to navigate midday fatigue without any support from the workplace can lead to a significant drop in focus and productivity. It’s a good idea to allow time for an afternoon power nap, short exercise session, or another relaxation method to help your employees combat midday fatigue and relieve stress.
You can require employees to take frequent breaks in the afternoon and reward those who do it to motivate them to take rest seriously. You could also take things a step further by putting nap pods or nap rooms in your workplace, so employees have a designated place to get some rest.
You can also offer your employees flexible work schedules to further motivate them.
Offer Flexible Work Schedules
Not all employees do their best work from 9 a.m. 5 p.m. Some may have to work around family obligations, while others may be more productive during late-night hours. The bottom line is that all employees are different. So, you must treat them as such, starting with their work schedules.
Offer your employees flexible work schedules. Flexible work schedules can give you an advantage in recruiting, improve employee engagement, better retention, and positively impact your company’s bottom line.
Allow your employees to choose where, when, and how they work. Give them a lot of room to create the work schedule that works best for them. Whether it’s a four-day workweek, fully remote schedule, or a hybrid, work-from-anywhere arrangement, allow your employees to choose what’s best for them so they can do their best for you.
In addition to offering flexible work schedules, make sure your employees get plenty of time off.
Give Your Employees Plenty of Time Off
Company leaders that value the “work hard, play hard” motto understand that their employees will put their best foot forward consistently at work if they’re rewarded with perks that matter to them.
Time off is one of those perks. It’s refreshing to work for an employer that rewards its employees with plenty of time off. They’ll be grateful to receive more than two weeks off for vacation, as many sick/personal days as they need, or the option to earn more time off based on performance.
It’s also essential to prioritize mental health support in your workplace to inspire better work.
Make Mental Health a Priority
Millions of people are navigating life with a mental health challenge. Yet, although we’re having more open conversations about mental health and how to provide mental health support to employees, we’re far from where we should be.
Making mental health support a priority in your workplace will help your employees live a holistically healthy life. When an individual is mentally strong, emotionally grounded, and physically well, they’re more likely to be the best version of themself.
Create dedicated resources for mental health support. This could look like:
- Healthcare benefits that include counseling and therapy
- A stipend for mental health resources
- Wellness weeks at work
- Self-care resources and activities
- Free gym memberships or access to at-home training
- An on-site mental health support specialist
- Free meditation and yoga classes
Paying above the standard is another way to get the most out of your workforce.
Pay Above the Standard
Pay is always a point of contention for employees and employers. Often, employees are underpaid and overworked, leading to toxic workplace cultures, rifts between employees, and mediocre production.
Pay your employees more than what they deserve. Of course, you must stay within the limits of what your business can afford. However, it’s better to pay a few solid employees handsomely to retain them than pay 50 employees minimum wage and deal with constant turnover.
Conclusion
Ultimately, when a company is intentional about supporting their employees’ personal and professional growth, their appreciation comes back in loyalty, quality work, and meaningful contributions to the team. So, implement the tips above to create a trust-filled, hard-working, engaged workforce.