All businesses need to make money and that means that, as well as making a profit on the items and services that they sell, those businesses also need to save money wherever possible. When you first think about saving money, you are likely to come up with all kinds of good ideas from switching energy suppliers, negotiating good rates for your rent, perhaps even working from home so that there are no property costs at all, but have you ever considered your employees?
For most businesses, employing people is the biggest cost to their business, so it makes sense to ensure that those employees are as happy as possible. Happy workers mean more productive workers, more loyal workers, and workers who are happy to be there rather than going sick at any opportunity. Here are some of the main reasons to keep your employees happy – it will save your business money in the long term.
Willing To Learn
When you can keep your employees happy, they will be much more willing to learn – perhaps even on their own time – what it takes to do well in their job. When you offer up training happy employees will be keen to take part, but more than that, they will be more able to remember what it is they are learning because they are happy in their roles. This means that they can progress through the company at a faster rate (causing them more happiness). The more employees you can retain, the less it will cost you as hiring new people is an expensive thing to have to do.
Create Loyalty
Make your company a good, fun, interesting, rewarding place to work and your employees will be happy. They will also be loyal. After all, why would they want to work somewhere else when they have everything they want with you? They will also be less likely to take time off sick, because they will want to be at work. Those who might have feigned sickness in another company will be less likely to with you because they want to be more loyal. It means you will be less likely to have to check with a doctor about any worker asking for workers’ comp, although if you do need to you can learn more here.
Improve Motivation
Motivation is what makes the difference between a good employee and a poor one, and when you are able to keep your employees happy, they will be hugely motivated to work for you, and do what is asked of them. They will often even do more than is expected because they want to impress and because they feel motivated to do so. Motivation will come in many different forms; start with paying them a fair salary, and always ensure they are paid on time. As well as this, take the time to get to know them, to understand what they are capable of, and to let them know that you believe and trust in them.
Praise is of the utmost importance. When someone goes a good job, let them know how pleased you are, and if appropriate, share that information with other employees. This will instill a little healthy competition within the workers, and it will help to keep everyone motivated too.
