3 ways to create a happy work environment

11 September 2016 - 02:00 By MARGARET HARRIS

Working conditions, unsurprisingly, affect staff happiness - and they are more productive when they are happy. Liane McGowan, the founder of Happy Monday, which runs campaigns to boost mental health and happiness at work, says: "A comfortable, well-ventilated, well-lit, safe workplace increases productivity and job satisfaction while reducing absenteeism."Companies need to find a balance between physical and emotional environments. "The physical environment relates to the actual building and the emotional is the feeling produced by a group of people, often driven by the culture of the company."story_article_left1McGowan has the following advice:• Make sure you have windows - and by that she doesn't mean the software. "Research has found that employees stayed on task more in windowed offices, as opposed to those working in windowless buildings. Natural light and fresh air are known to boost energy and overall satisfaction," she says;• Convenience and functionality are crucial - such as having sufficient plug points for laptops, kettles and phone chargers, a comfortable temperature, sufficient toilets and enough space for all staff members; and• The physical space must be fit for purpose, and employees usually prefer to have a space that is theirs. "The principle of contracted workers 'booking' a desk ... fosters unsettled feelings of belonging, often leading to high staff turnover," she warns...

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