How to Create a Good Atmosphere at Work

There’s nothing worse than a workplace where nobody likes each other and they seem incapable of working together as a team. This is a sign of an unhealthy work environment and, for many people, it’s why they leave their jobs and look for greener pastures. 

As an employer, you want people to stay in your company as long as possible. A high turnover means more expenses and a less productive workforce. With this in mind, here are some ways that you can contribute to a healthier and happier workplace.

In This Article:

Ingredients for A Positive Work Environment

A good workplace doesn’t happen by accident – it takes a concerted effort to ensure your employees have what they need to be successful. Here are some key things you need to have in place to create a good atmosphere at work.

Hiring a Good Team

You can’t deny the fact that the people you hire have a massive impact on how employees work together. Some people just mesh well, while others struggle to get along. When hiring people, you don’t just need to factor in their skills; you also need to consider their personality and ability to get along with others.

Make sure they don’t have complaints from past workplaces about being unable to work as a team. You might also be able to pick up on how they are as a person during the interviews, especially if you’re able to show someone around the office. A probationary period can also give new employees time to settle in and get to know the team. 

Your Management Style

While it would be nice to believe that our management style doesn’t negatively affect our employees, this isn’t true. There’s a reason that management isn’t easy, and it’s because you have to manage people as well as projects.

One common management error is to micromanage. You need your employees to report back about everything, and you practically breathe down their necks while they work. This actually makes people more stressed and less productive. 

Instead, show that you trust your employees, especially if you’re familiar with their work style. Give them space to work well and just be available when you’re needed.

Flexibility in the Workplace

Another way to make your employees happier at work is to be as flexible as possible. People have different needs and circumstances, and you don’t want to add to their worries if they don’t have to.

If possible, try to be accommodating. For example, if office employees have children, they may need to work from home to look after their kids while they’re ill. If you have the facilities to allow this, you can let your employees be productive on days when they would otherwise have to take a sick day.

Encouraging Breaks

Finally, it’s important to encourage your employees to take breaks throughout the day. Regular breaks actually make people more productive as they aren’t overtired. 

Provide a comfortable environment for employees to rest, eat, and drink, including breakroom furniture to support this. You can set break times or allow people to take breaks as needed. Either method will work, as long as you know your employees are getting the time to rest when they need to.

If your workplace is starting to feel toxic, review the list to see what you can do to improve it. Overall, ensuring you have a qualified team that feels valued and trusted is the most important step in cultivating a positive work environment.