When you wake-up on Monday’s, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Do you start dreading that awful drive to work that takes too long? Do you wake up happy, with a smile on your face ready to take on the world? If you’re like me, you wake up and head straight for the pot of coffee to ease your brain out of its sleepy state. Whatever your regular routine is, you either have a positive or negative outlook on it.
How many of you believe yourself to be a great employer? Now how many of you know that according to CNNMoney, “84% of people are unhappy with their current job” while Mercer’s, “What’s Working” survey found that “one in three US employees are serious about leaving their current jobs”. Now I am sure by now you are reading this and thinking, “This doesn’t apply to me”, but don’t hit that exit button just yet because the statistics don’t lie. How positive are you that you as an executer or manager are making decisions to maintain your employee’s work place happiness every day? The components of what people seek in a work-place environment are right in front of you. When I think about why I love working for Results Staffing, I think about the meaningful work I do. The purpose behind my position and how I am helping the company in a positive way each and every day. It gives me a sense of ownership, and purpose while letting me express my creativity at the same time, and that is the type of environment that I flourish in. What type of environment do your employees work best in? According to Entrepreneur Magazine, “When employees have a casual, stress-free time at work, they’re going to be more productive in general. As a business owner, it’s your job to establish procedures that will keep your employees happy and motivated”. Entrepreneur also provides you with some ways that you can achieve work-place happiness. The following are some of those ideas:
- Provide Tools for Success
- Make Training and Learning Available
- Thank Employees for Good Work
- Customize Rewards
- Be Open and Available
- Offer Responsibility, Don’t Assign
- Provide Workplace Flexibility
Getting employee input can also go a long way when deciding what is best for the company. When thinking of my happiness at work, I like to come back to a quote time and time again. Shunryu Suzuki-roshi wrote, “When you do something, you should burn yourself up completely, like a good bonfire, leaving no trace of yourself.” This means you should be happy and in love with your job, you immerse yourself within it. You let it consume you, giving way to that burning passion inside you. That is how you get through your week. Stay positive, develop a passion, and let it follow suit while inspiring your employees and coworkers to do the same!
So let me ask you this, when will you or your employee’s stop hating Monday’s?
About the Author: Morgan Jones is a sophomore accounting student at Western Governors University and plans to graduate in January of 2016. Following her education she wants to pursue a Master’s program in hopes of getting her CPA. She is gaining insight into the business world while learning the ropes of what it takes to be a part of a growing company with Results Staffing.