Employees spend a significant part of their lives at their workplaces. For this reason, it’s of the utmost importance for them to work in a healthy, productive work environment. A healthy work environment will make your team feel better, have more energy, and increase productivity, which benefits the business in the long run.

Promoting a healthier and more productive work environment means the organisation must work with and around its conditions. It also means that you, as the leader, should work on your leadership traits, set clear goals with the team, and have reasonable requirements.

An efficient leader doesn’t only delegate tasks; they should also learn to connect with their employees by facilitating open communication, encouraging development and growth, and giving and receiving feedback. The best way to create a healthy and productive work environment and improve engagement and performance is through specific strategies, which we will discuss below.

Ensure A Sense of Belonging

Studies show a clear desire among employees, where pride in the workplace, well-being, commitment, autonomy, and relationships are becoming more important than salaries and titles. According to a survey by the social network LinkedIn, safety, belonging, and appreciation are among the most critical factors.

If you want to be recognised as a company that prioritises diversity, equity, and inclusion, dare to invest in your staff care and make each employee feel like they belong. Review what your employees require to feel good and committed. If you accommodate their needs, you will find a financially profitable model that is significantly cheaper in the long run than a high staff turnover.

To prioritise diversity, equity, and inclusion, you must create a workplace of acceptance and support where everyone feels safe and welcomed. Employees must feel they can share anything with the rest of their team members without fear or pressure.

Shared events, activities, and meals are brilliant examples that are easy to organise and encourage relationship-building.

Organise Teambuilding Exercises

Teambuilding exercises have been shown to significantly impact employee productivity. They also significantly create safety and better worker cohesion, which is crucial for people’s happiness. If you feel that you can trust your colleagues, stress will decrease, creating a calmer and more relaxed work atmosphere.

It’s easy to develop tunnel vision at work by working hard and trying to achieve the best possible results as an individual. However, not accepting help from others ultimately creates problems, which in many cases leads to poor communication, poorer results, and, in some cases, burnout. Studies show that exercises that bring together work groups increase productivity and general well-being at work.

Gather Feedback and Ideas from Employees

An unlikely but powerful way to get the best out of your employees is to gather feedback from them. Your employees who work in different departments, such as customer support or product development, will gain insights from their daily experience of performing tasks.

They might understand a customer’s pain points or know about features you need to consider adding. Your employees’ knowledge is a valuable resource you can tap into using regular communication and feedback techniques.

Try to hold brainstorming sessions, schedule regular one-on-one meetings, create an idea board or channel where people can share their thoughts and ideas, and don’t forget about sending out feedback surveys.

When you get actionable insights from your team, use their feedback to give them the necessary tools and processes. As a result, they’ll be more productive and satisfied. What’s even more important is that they’ll feel appreciated and heard at work, making them enjoy their work more and do their best.

Treat Others The Same Way You Would Like to Be Treated

The workplace is an arena where people who have not chosen each other must cooperate daily. The golden rule of treating others as you would like to be treated is a fundamental ethical principle that is still held today. But it’s good to remember that not everyone wants to be treated the same way. One employee may love daily dialogue with the boss, while another finds it a burden.

Inspire Employees to Live Healthily

Support employees’ ambitions to exercise and live healthily. Introduce walking meetings and other ways to encourage activity and reduce sedentary behaviour. Ask those who have many sick days how you can help them complete their work.

Final Thoughts

Creating a healthier and more productive work environment doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. You must ensure you create a sense of belonging and treat others well.  It would be best to involve employees in decision-making. Getting their feedback can enhance the organisation’s overall mood. This will result in happier employees and significantly improved productivity and performance.