International Day of Happiness 2018: How to Create Happy Workplace!

Author: Dr. Gowri Kulkarni, Head of
Operations, DocsApp

The hustle and bustle, of our
professional lives, have led to a rise in mental health issues. A study
conducted by WHO highlights that over 300 million people suffer from
depression. Many of these people also suffer from anxiety.

A negative working environment
may lead to physical and mental health problems, harmful use of substances or
alcohol, absenteeism and lost productivity. Workplaces that promote mental
health and support people with mental disorders are more likely to reduce
absenteeism, increase productivity and benefit from associated economic gains.
It is important to maintain a healthy work- atmosphere to ensure that the
employees stay happy, secure and productive.

Here are the top 3 reasons why
companies should promote mental health:

1. Happy employees = Less resignations

When employees are happy with
their job, they perform better and are less likely to leave the job. This
brings down the attrition rate of the company.

2. Employees are more productive when they’re happy

Research shows when a person is
happy, their level of productivity shoots up. When a person is unhappy, their
productivity level dips drastically.

3. The company’s success depends on the employees

Companies with highly engaged
employees have better results financially as well as operationally. Revenues
across companies listed in “Fortune’s top 100 companies to work for”
increased an average of 22% in one year. Workplace wellness programs increase
productivity, reduce absenteeism and boosts the morale of employees. It is evident
that happy employees are vital to the success of a company.

Ways to ensure that the
employees stay happy and at the top of their game always:

1. Do not micromanage– Allow employees to work independently from the
management. Allow them to take full responsibility of the tasks/projects
assigned to them.

2. Encourage communication– Ensure that employees are comfortable to
voice their concerns and discuss their opinions freely. Listen to what they
have to say and ensure that they’re heard.

3. Maintain transparency–
Share work related intelligence with the employees. Have bosses and
employees consult together on projects and strategy, where both can put forward
opinions.

4. Support mental health– Provide assistance programs for excess
stress. Encourage the employees to take simple steps to reduce stress like
taking breaks to go for a walk, talk with coworkers, or just to get some fresh
air.

5. Emphasize education – Conduct seminars to create awareness about
healthy living. Recruit speakers to talk about time management, stress
management etc.

Things employees can
do keep themselves happy at the
workplace

1. Learn
to relax– Taking a few minutes each day to stay calm can help relieve
stress.Take a walk, do some stretches, talk to a co-worker etc. Indulge in any
activity of your choice.

2. Don’t be afraid to communicate– Learn to address your issues in a
considerate manner and openly communicate with others to create a healthy work
environment.

3. Avoid overloading your day– Remember that you don’t have to say
‘YES’ to everything asked of you. Schedule your tasks efficiently and
prioritize your tasks.

4. Plan your day– Lack of time is the number one cause of stress. Plan
your time wisely, divide your work day into different sections for optimum
productivity.

5. Get all IT issues fixed – It may not seem like a serious issue.
Computers freezing, emails not working, data loss etc.. these are common
reasons that trigger stress. Fix all these issues to work seamlessly.

Mental health is as important as physical health. Take care!