Multiple studies have shown that there is a positive correlation between happiness and productivity, with employees having as much as a 14% increase in productivity when they are happier.
Does happiness improve productivity
A study conducted in the contact centers of a British telecommunications firm BT, by Oxford University’s Saïd Business School on happiness and productivity over a 6 month period, found that workers are 13% more productive when they are happy.
The study also found that local weather conditions had an impact on the happiness of the workers with bad weather conditions causing a decrease in the happiness of workers, this strongly suggests that there is a correlation between productivity and happiness, the happier you are the more productive you are likely to become.
Another study conducted by economists at the Department of Economics at the University of Warwick found that happiness made people 12% more productive.
How to improve your happiness
If you want to be happier to increase your productivity then first start off by being aware of your mood throughout the day and develop a positive mindset.
Here are a few suggestions to improve your happiness:
- Laugh more
- Exercise
- Get enough sleep
- Eat healthier
- Be grateful
- Reduce your screen usage
- Meditate
- Get fresh air and experience nature
How businesses can improve happiness and productivity in the workplace
Ensuring that your employees are happy is evidently important for any business because it can lead to an increase in productivity, so optimizing the happiness of your employees should be a focus for any business.
If employees are happy then they are less likely to leave and look for other opportunities, which helps to reduce the cost of rehiring and training because turnover can be very expensive.
The most important factors to optimize the happiness of your employees include the following:
- Feeling valued as a team member
- Appreciated for the work they do
- Opinions are listened to
- Given responsibility instead of tasks
- Provided with opportunities to learn and progress within the company
- Given a decent salary
One of the most important factors of the happiness of employees is management, employees need to feel that they are not micro-managed and are treated with respect by management.
Further suggestions and ideas to optimize the happiness of your employees include the following:
- A work-life balance
- Extended time off policy to take more holidays when need be or to help avoid burnout
- Providing perks
- Incentives; gift vouchers, bonuses
- Free breakfast, lunch and even dinner
- Build a positive culture and environment
- Optimize the working environment; more sunlight, better location, more fresh air, etc
It is a focus on going the extra mile for employees to make them feel valued by the company.
Companies like Google have done an excellent job on improving the happiness of their employees, relating to the study done by Warwick University Professor Oswald stated
“Companies like Google have invested more in employee support and employee satisfaction has risen as a result. For Google, it rose by 37%, they know what they are talking about. Under scientifically controlled conditions, making workers happier really pays off.”
Further suggesting the importance of investing in the improvement of happiness of employees.
Conclusion
It is evident from multiple studies that there is a positive correlation between happiness and productivity, if you want to be more productive you should place a focus on optimizing your happiness.