5 ways to have a company filled with happy people

Happy employees usually translate into productive employees and, ultimately, better-performing companies.

Anton van Heerden, MD of Sage HR & Payroll, said many companies believed that money meant job satisfaction. Although a few people work purely for financial reward, "most employees also look for purpose, achievement and personal development in their careers".

Van Heerden has the following advice on keeping employees happy:

• Few people enjoy working in a dingy environment using old or broken tools. Make the workplace a pleasant place in which to spend eight hours five days a week;

• Allow people to work flexible hours, if possible;

• Make it clear you understand that employees have a life outside the office. If you do so, most staff members will respond by becoming more loyal - and few will take advantage of the company;

• Provide opportunities for people to advance in the organisation. "Formal career paths and training programmes can help employees feel like they have a career with the organisation, rather than just a job"; and

• Transparency is free - but reaps huge rewards. Nothing knocks morale more than making employees feel they do not deserve to be kept informed. "There might be some things you can't disclose because of JSE regulations or customer confidentiality agreements, but where possible, keep your people informed about the truth of the company's performance ... It gives them peace of mind, and helps nip rumours ... in the bud."