6 Ways to be Happy at Work
As an independent recruitment agency, we see lots of people who are looking for new jobs… because they are unhappy in their current role. We also know of some great companies in and around the Stevenage area who care about offering a supportive working environment – and retain their employees.
“It’s great to see people that we’ve placed in local jobs enjoying their roles and developing their careers,” says Liz Felstead, founder of Essential Results. “A happy environment is definitely a more productive one!”
6 Tips for Workplace Happiness:
- Smile!
Positive thinking is very powerful. Make a conscious effort to identify what is great about your job… and what you dislike. Talk to your supervisor and/or colleagues about how you can be supported to tackle the tasks you dislike and become good at them. We usually enjoy the jobs that we do well!
- Independence
Research shows that employees with flexible work schedules are happier in their jobs than those with less control over where and when they work. (This was confirmed by over 400,000 people in 63 countries.) Flexibility is important, allowing employees to juggle work and lifestyle. This includes being careful not to ‘over commit’ – being honest about workload and timescales. Only the promises that can be kept should be made.
- Take Charge
Professional development is important to most people. “If employees feel that they are not being offered the chance to grow professionally, they should be proactive and discuss this with their manager,” advises Liz.
- Ask for Feedback
Yes – managers should give feedback to the individuals working for them. In reality, this can happen less regularly than it should – or maybe someone is new to an aspect of their role and would appreciate immediate feedback and support. At Essential Results we suggest that employees should always ask for feedback. The comments received can acknowledge commitment which is very rewarding. Or – they can help support someone to perform better and feel more comfortable in their role.
- Banish Boredom
Boredom is one the biggest culprits for creating unhappiness at work. In these situations, communication is key. “Boredom is often tackled by taking on a different task, or learning something new,” says Liz. “Employers need to know if individuals are bored within their role, then together, they can find a way forward.”
- Plan Your Escape!
Having tried the tips above, if you are still unhappy work then looking for a new role may be the best option for you. Life is too short to stay in a job that makes you unhappy. Simply making the decision to look for a new job can help you to feel better.
Talk to Essential Results about the positions that we have available. Whilst we are based in Stevenage, our recruitment agency works across the wider surrounding areas. We’re here to help you find a new role that will make you happy.