In 2019, Canada was ranked 9th overall in the World Happiness Report, down from 7th the previous year, out of a total of 156 (The Globe and Mail).1 This goes to show that there is always room for improvement, especially when it comes to happiness in the workplace. This post will include a few ways to keep your employees happy and productive.
Perks/nice to haves:
We spend almost 60% of our time at work, which has a great impact on influencing employee lifestyle, eating habits, and overall health (Rise People)2. Every workplace is different, but here are some common perks that employers offer their employees:
- Free lunch, snacks, beverages
- Occasional casual dress
- Team building/teamwork activities (BBQs, sporting events, escape rooms, etc.)
- Health and wellness perks such as corporate gym memberships
- Parking/transit passes or reimbursement for travel costs
- A functional/comfortable workspace that allows for productivity as well as enjoyment while working
Benefits package:
While perks are things employees want, benefits are things employees need.
- More than half of all organizations have a health care spending account for some employees within the organization, either on its own, or in conjunction with an existing benefit plan (Conference Board)3
- Sick leave, bereavement leave, family emergency leave, mental health leave, etc.
- RRSP matching or contributions, stock options, pension plan
Work-life balance:
By providing more flexible work hours, employers can ensure that their employees come to work happier, healthier, and ready to be productive.
- 79% of employees with a flexible work schedule reported that they were satisfied or very satisfied with their work-life balance (Rise People)2
- Working from home/remotely
- Ensuring work-life balance for all employees to create a fairer workplace, e.g. equal treatment for those with children and those without
- Overtime pay
Culture & values
Two in five workers in Canada wouldn’t accept a job if the corporate culture clashed, even if it was a perfect match;(Newswire)4 therefore, it is crucial to ensure that employees feel safe and comfortable in their workplace.
- Community involvement day
- Inclusive language and attitudes to ensure that all employees feel welcome
- Accessibility for differently-abled individuals
- Religious/spiritual holidays for all beliefs
- Ask for feedback regularly: Don’t just ask and forget – use your employees’ feedback and implement change/growth
What do you do as an employer to keep your employees? What perks would you like to see as an employee? Let us know in the comments below, and feel free to share some other ideas that we might not have discussed.
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