How happy is your workplace? Three steps to invest in your employees' happiness

By James Dibou, Brand Manager, Kensington- a leader in ergonomic desktop and mobile accessories

James Dibou, Brand Manager for Kensington enjoying a Nespresso Professional blend at work

The average person spends more than a third of their life in the workplace - so it’s important that time is spent in the healthiest environment possible. Yet many Australians are seeing out their working years in uncomfortable workplaces, with poorly designed spaces, sub-par amenities and low office morale contributing to long-term impacts on their health and wellbeing.

As part of my work with Kensington I help businesses recognise the relationship between employee happiness and productivity by providing ergonomic accessories for both mobile and desktops - everything from ergonomic mouse pads, to standing desks and docking stations. Research from Kensington’s recent survey^ has shown that when employees have a comfortable work environment and feel their employer cares about their wellbeing, they are not only happier but more productive - a win/win situation. So, providing comfortable workspaces that prioritises employee happiness is imperative if you want to help your employees thrive.

Step One - Encouraging breaks means encouraging better habits

Many Australian workers admit they’re feeling the strain due to constant reminders from their employees of the importance of productivity. Yet productivity shouldn’t come at the expense of your employee’s wellbeing.

Kensington’s survey showed that when it comes to happiness being affected, 28% of people say it’s when the physical strain kicks in from bad posture, 39% when they don’t have time to take a lunch break and a whopping 40% say sitting down all day negatively impacts their happiness levels. One of the most interesting things about my role is seeing how those employees that take regular breaks - like getting a coffee - are actually happier and more productive.

In some of the workplaces I’ve seen with the healthiest office culture, the coffee machine is the modern water cooler, presenting opportunities for employees to take a break and allowing them to build relationships with their co-workers. A study from MIT showed that regular coffee breaks can do more than increase the strength of employee relationships but can also help create a space for collaboration where new ideas are born. Enabling opportunities for employees to share ideas should be a key consideration for every business looking to improve their company culture.

James taking a break to enjoy a Nespresso Professional coffee in the workplace

Step two - Demonstrate you care

Choosing a workplace that prioritises health is becoming an increasingly important factor for Australians when determining what they look for in a job. According to our research, as many as 75% of Australians would leave a job if they felt their employer didn’t care about their personal wellbeing and more than three quarters are more likely to accept a job if a healthy working environment is offered.

Providing quality facilities, equipment and amenities such as a commercial coffee machine that saves employees both time and money, signals to your staff they are valued and appreciated. As such, it can help keep office moral and individual happiness high, leading to a more efficient and productive workforce.

What’s more, nearly 90% of Australians feel the company they work for has a responsibility to provide an environment conducive to good health. Implementing solutions that make this possible is therefore critical if businesses want to both attract and retain the very best talent

Kensington’s research suggests a happy employee is a comfortable employee

Step three - Working together to increase employee happiness

Increasing employee happiness also shouldn’t be left up to the individual. Receiving recognition for what they bring to the table beyond the confines of their job description is critical for employees to feel valued and appreciated by their employers and contributes to their overall happiness in the workplace.

Facilitating opportunities that allow employees to collaborate with their colleagues and participate in something bigger is a relatively easy way to increase morale and ensure workplace wellness is high and company culture is strong. Nespresso’s recycling initiative for example, is a simple way to create employee buy-in and allows employees to work together to do their bit for the environment - all thanks to their caffeine habits!