Can you imagine one night going to bed and deep down yearning to get to your usual job the next morning? It is a possibility perhaps!

According to a global study, up to 80% of workers enjoy what they do. Some however consider it a form of “modern slavery” with majority attributing this dislike to the nature of their workplace. You’re probably wondering why this is so. 

In this article, we’ll see the influence that your place of work can have on your life as a whole, while also highlighting ways of making it better.

What is regarded as a workplace? 

Have a job to do? Find a place to do it and that is your workplace.  On average, workers spend more than a third of their life at a workplace, majority of them working in shared spaces.

As such, one’s general well-being and life’s quality is greatly influenced by the atmosphere that they work in. A study found that a good work environment positively affected employees’ commitment and overall performance.

It should not seem abnormal for you to occasionally lack interest in work; it is however, a bad thing if this dislike persists. Work is an integral part of our being that should be embraced

Defining a good workplace 

Are trust and honesty what truly makes a job well done?  To many, finding a place where they feel valued, can freely express themselves and are motivated to pursue their dreams, is an ideal. 

Here is what a good workplace will do:

• Improve well-being of all

Well-being is a state of happiness and health. The nature of a workplace rubs off on those that dwell there in. Therefore, efforts placed into bettering your work environment pay off well.

• Boost the employees’ morale 

The relationship between bosses and their employees as well as that between co-workers determines how committed they get and their attitude towards success of an institution.

One study concluded that a good attitude among employees promotes effective performance.

• Create happiness and joy

 When people are happy, they are more willing to participate in tasks. The do not feel strained at work because they love what they are doing. Workers share in the happiness that comes with achieving goals together. 

To a lot of people, more joy is got from reminding each other about the journey they went through to achieve something rather than the win itself.

• Reduce stress and increase productivity

In absence of stress, one gets to focus better on work, make strong and wise decisions that have potential of yielding great results in the organisation. It then is a win-win situation for the employer and their workers.

How can the workplace be made to thrive?

Improving communication in the workplace

All good relationships in existence a baseline of effective communication; verbal or otherwise. When people exchange views, listen to others and also give feedback to their comrades, it is easier to identify any existing gaps in an organisation. 

Good communication sets order in the space.  Workers who are free to air out their opinions get even more confidence that renders them capable of taking on bold decisions.

Improve comfort of the work environment

What better way to make employees feel valued than by making their comfort a priority to you as their employer? Comfort can go a long way to include spacious rooms or workspaces, windows that can allow access to natural light and fresh air. 

Natural light exposure has effects of increasing happiness via elevation of  beta endorphin (body’s natural pain killer) levels in blood; its deprivation may precipitate depression.

Including nature into the work environment is a sure way to achieve this too. Adding a few plants is one simple way. Exposure to nature has protective effects on cognitive function and overall mental well-being.

A comfortable work environment increases productivity of workers and favours growth of the organisation.

Express gratitude to employees

Deeper than what you could imagine and its impact far reaching. It has been shown to have a correlation with performance at work and well-being. Gratitude can be through expressing words of appreciation or through rewards such as gifts or deserved promotions. 

Gratitude makes anyone happy. A 2021 study found that gratitude can be a strategy to improve workers’ mental health; it also has a good effect on well-being.

Including fun team building activities in the work schedule

Adding a twist to the routine work flow can be a way to better the workplace.  Let employees anticipate these fun days. By creating fun activities that can be done outside the usual work space, the staff start looking forward to having more of these. All the people I know do love to have fun.

This is a way to curb absenteeism and improve dedication towards work.

Promoting a healthy balance between work and personal life

Allowing staff to live their personal life according to their preferences while also taking on work duties brings on a good feel. That way employees are in full control of their own lives. They do not feel limited in terms of setting their personal development goals and can work even better for this purpose. 

One study found a direct relationship between work-life balance and productivity.  Feeling in control of one’s own life reduces stress and creates calmness which is a good determinant of productivity.

Building trust

For an efficient workplace, trust is like water that keeps it alive. For over a century it has been termed as the core of relationships. Working in a place without trust amongst subordinates and with the leaders can be a turn off. 

Mistrust breeds fear among workers, suppresses motivation and reduces overall performance among workers. Rebecca Johansen and Paul J Zak found that colleagues working in high trust organisations are way happier than those who work in places with little or no trust

Destress

Promoting wellness of staff

This is a move aimed at allaying workplace stress. It is necessary to consider all possible ways of achieving this. Sharing ways to relax, with your employees is a good move.

Healthy diet, meditation techniques and physical exercise all contribute to a holistic health. All these help workers to relax and recollect, gaining more strength to take on their responsibilities.

Dietitians have noted that adding herbs to one’s diet constitutes nutritious eating which promotes wellness. Taking herbs like green tea, Ashwagandha, more frequently helps to improve concentration and focus as well as improving mood. Additionally, coffee and dark chocolate also help in relaxing the mind, owing to their caffeine content.

In Summary, The workplace could be man’s second home. Everything and anything must be done to make it better. The points above can help you in achieving this.