20.09.2022

International Week of Happiness at Work

By Denise Allen, people director, Portico

International Week of Happiness at Work is an internationally recognised event whereby businesses and employees can put happiness on their agenda to make changes for a more content workplace. International Week of Happiness at Work, this year from 19th – 25th September, has gained international recognition by businesses small and large. It was created to raise awareness and encourage employers to develop their own ‘do it yourself’ movement to recognise employees’ happiness.

Supporting the happiness of employees is extremely important and it is a shared responsibility. Afterall, a happy team will help to boost morale and improve productivity.

So how do you make your employees happy? It’s an age-old question that is still being considered regularly and more so since the pandemic where many industries are facing labour challenges.

Clear communication

Looking after your employees should always be a priority, and the most straightforward way to understand how they really feel is to have regular open and honest communication. Ensuring your employees have a safe space to discuss any unhappiness at work without fear of any repercussions is necessary. In addition, being a good listener to your employees is essential. Creating safe spaces for individuals to voice their concerns is one thing but being an active listener and taking on those concerns without letting your opinion cloud your judgement is another.

By asking your team direct questions, such as ‘Are you enjoying work?’, or ‘Are you motivated?’, you can gauge how they really feel. Leaders don’t typically ask these questions because they are afraid of the answers. But having these conversations, especially in person where possible, will ensure your employees feel valued and listened to. It is also the springboard for positive change.

Invest in your employees

Delivering praise and recognition where it is due can go a long way in sparking a colleague’s sense of pride in their work. This could be in the form of a simple thank you or a small meaningful incentive; for an employee it is about feeling valued. A sense of fulfilment is what makes employees content and feel a sense of purpose in their position, especially when they are aware of how their role impacts the wider business.

Additionally, supporting employees with learning and development, and progression opportunities will aid engagement. Offering individuals the opportunity to better their skill set, and therefore themselves, will evoke pride and commitment. At Portico, we do this right from the get-go.

Portico’s approach to learning and development is a ‘promise’ and not an ‘initiative’ and we focus on both professional and personal development. Because of this, we yield rich results including retention and higher workplace satisfaction. One example is our Future Leaders Pathway which is open to everyone wishing to upskill and begin their management journey with a commitment to progression. Each year we promote approximately 10% of our workforce into senior roles – we invest in our people, and they invest in our business.

It can’t be all work and no play though. Fun is a key ingredient of employee happiness. This helps with a positive mindset and better mental health. Portico’s annual awards are much loved among our colleagues. Each year we have a glittering awards ceremony in London where we all come together socially to celebrate our talented colleagues. We also hold summer socials across the country. We have recently regionalised these so more colleagues can attend and enjoy a bbq and take part in a team activity like a round of crazy golf.

Workplace culture

Workplace culture is largely influenced by happiness at work, and vice-versa.

Building a successful, positive company culture that engages employees will help your teams to feel happy, comfortable, and confident. This can be achieved in a multitude of ways, from a simple cheerful welcome at the front desk, a friendly face to turn to when they need help, and opportunities for collaboration where employees are encouraged to switch off from their daily task list. As a provider of tailored guest services, Portico has been running lifestyle events for its clients including yoga classes and experiential workshops like wine tasting or seasonal pumpkin carving, or street food pop ups. This is a good way to enable socialisation and provide a platform for relationships to flourish.

If company culture isn’t cultivating positive energy, then employees are more likely to disengage and adopt a quiet quitting mindset, for example. As behaviour breeds behaviour, this has the potential to have catastrophic consequences.

Building a good culture is a long-term investment, but you will see it pay off in a committed and driven team. Accenture research has found that working cultures where employees are treated as equals are six times more productive. The cost of recruitment in short term replacements is much bigger and can, in the long term negatively impact the culture of an organisation and the happiness of people in it.

Overall, happiness at work is the key ingredient for good work and loyal employees. Take a moment to reflect during this year’s International Week of Happiness at Work and reassess your company culture and plan some happiness initiatives.

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