The link between staff morale and workplace productivity has
been explored in depth over recent years, yet all too many business owners
still fail to properly consider the happiness of their workforce, while others
afford it due thought but falter somewhat in the execution.
In an effort to better understand the driving forces behind
staff happiness and the resultant effect on productivity, researchers and
economists from the University of Warwick conducted an extensive study into
human happiness, finding that happiness led to a 12% spike in productivity,
while unhappy workers proved 10% less productive.
The research team explains, “We find that human
happiness has large and positive causal effects on productivity. Positive
emotions appear to invigorate human beings.”
Professor Andrew Oswald, one of three researchers tasked
with leading the study, said of the results, “Companies like Google have
invested more in employee support and employee satisfaction has risen as a
result.
“For Google, it rose by 37%, they know what they are talking
about. Under scientifically controlled conditions, making workers happier
really pays off.”
According to research team member Dr Eugenio Proto, the
primary driving factor behind the resulting productivity boost is that happier
workers will use their time more effectively, which thereby increases their
work rate without making sacrifices in terms of quality. The study lists
further positive attributes displayed by happy workers as follows:
- Improved collaboration with other workers
- Heightened creativity, energy, motivation, optimism, and overall health
- Improved problem solving & fewer complaints
- Fewer mistakes and lessened worry
- Improved rate of learning
- Better decision-making skills
Factors which were found to correlate most heavily with
workforce happiness include job level, company size, and rewarding fields of
work. In terms of job level, senior executives and managers ranked highest as
you may expect, although the findings in relation to company size may surprise
you as those working in companies with fewer than 10 employees actually ranked
highest for happiness. In reference to rewarding fields of work, those in the “education
and training” and “marketing or creative” fields reported the highest levels of
on-the-job happiness.
Other influencing factors include:
- Autonomy
- Challenging work
- Variety & flexibility
- Recognition & progression
- Support & opportunity
- Fairness
- A sense of belonging
- Workplace perks (free lunches, on-site facilities etc.)
Sam Bonson
Sam
is an aspiring novelist with a passion for fantasy and crime thrillers. He is currently
working as a content writer, journalist & editor as he continues to expand
his horizons.
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