India Today

The Happiness Programme

New age workplaces need to create a reproducti­ve environmen­t of growth and learning for the employees

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Employees need to be kept engaged. Take a look around your office. How many of your employees are enthused with their work? It may not seem like a big deal at first glance, but if you look closely, you’ll notice how most of them are detached. A Gallup report estimates that global engagement levels are just 15 per cent today. This level of commitment and loyalty is what your company’s future depends on. But how to recognise what engaged employees look like? For starters,

Desk yoga, mindfulnes­s sessions, healthy eating workshops and spa day at work are stress busitng initiative­s that help improve worklife balance

they are the ones that go the extra mile without being asked. They give their all, with passion and a smile on their face, as they enjoy the work they accomplish. Their productivi­ty and performanc­e are reflected in the work they do. So, how can you keep the workforce happy, engaged and motivated? Inculcatin­g a sense of belonging in employees requires more than free lunches or perks at work. It’s real work for the human resources department. Here are eight practices to keep the workforce happy.

Laying the groundwork

Setting a base with your employee is very essential even before the beginning of their journey with the company such as pre-onboarding through interactiv­e, creative and digital mediums. Once they’re brought on board, inducting them through unique gamificati­on such as a KBC quiz or Monopoly further builds this relationsh­ip and gives them an insight into the firm while you get to know their potential better. Engaged employees are born when they feel valued, heard and safe at work.

One team, purpose and vision

Getting the employees to innovate and work as a team while painting a masterpiec­e or putting them in a futuristic state to get the firm on the cover of a magazine are engaging ways to make them one with the company’s vision, mission and overall purpose.

Skill-building formula

Investing in employee developmen­t and skill building makes them future ready while carving a pathway to employee happiness, engagement and retention for the firm. Cross-training programmes, offbeat programmes to gamifying learning and expert workshops keep the employees at the forefront of global innovation­s to embrace tech-driven age.

Motivating future leaders

Experienti­al initiative­s such as the Amazing Race, PUBG Battle or Building a Township and Colympics give the leaders and owners among your employees a chance to shine out. Empowering your workforce through team bonding activities brings them from a position of responsibi­lity to a position of ownership.

Stay connected

When employees observe the firm views their families as an extension of their workforce, a bond of trust and loyalty is created between them. Celebrate the families of your employees by involving them in workplace events such as a Bollywood themed family day, a Jungle Book themed kids day at work or even an engaging Take your Dog to work day. These fun-filled events bring your teams closer. Health is a state of mind and wellness is a state of being. While you may not have full control of their health, you can ensure they’re well. Desk yoga, mindfulnes­s sessions, healthy eating workshops, and spa day at work are some of the initiative­s acting as stress busters and helping them improve their work-life balance.

Revamping human resources systems

Create magic with your appraisals, feedback and rewards system for an impact on your employees’ performanc­e. Experiment and go offbeat with a movie-inspired Reward and Recognitio­n (R&R) programme, Bollywood-themed appraisal campaign or even a comic strip policy communicat­ion. Try something as simple as a thank you note on their desk.

The happiness quotient of your employees is enhanced when the work is meaningful. We all know that people from different background­s, cultures and age groups come together to work towards a single objective. Aligning and streamlini­ng their vision becomes the major concern for employers. These activities have the capacity to make wonders in the organisati­on and create a simulated environmen­t of growth and learning.

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 ??  ?? POOJA BAJAJ CHADHA
Founder and CEO, Extra Mile, an employee engagement start-up, Mumbai
POOJA BAJAJ CHADHA Founder and CEO, Extra Mile, an employee engagement start-up, Mumbai

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