5 Tips for Creating a Positive Work Environment

February 25, 2020 | Staffing Blog

Research indicates that creating a positive work environment is more healthy for your employees, managers, and overall business success than attempting to motivate performance through cutthroat tactics. Consider these statistics:

• Health care expenditures at high-pressure companies are nearly 50% greater than at other organizations. (BioMedCentral.com)
• Workplace stress is attributed to 37% higher absenteeism, 49% more workplace accidents, and 60% more errors. (Gallup)
• Companies lose an average of $1,685 per employee per year from absenteeism. (CDC)

The benefits of creating a positive work environment are numerous. Studies have shown that employees that feel valued have lower absenteeism and illness. Plus, they are more productive and less likely to leave your company, reducing the risk of costly unwanted turnover.

Every employee that is retained saves companies thousands of dollars in the cost of interviewing, hiring, and training new employees. Consider these statistics on the positive results from a positive work environment:

• Highly-engaged business units have 41% less absenteeism, 17% more productivity, and 24% less turnover. (Gallup)

It is clear that winning businesses are creating a positive work environment for their employees and temporary workers.

Strategies for Creating a Positive Work Environment

How can business owners and managers build a positive work environment, especially when managing many different people from diverse backgrounds? Position your business for success by applying these five winning strategies.

1. Develop a Positive Mission Statement

Positive companies create and communicate mission statements that are highly ethical and motivating.

• All employees — both permanent and temporary — should know why they are working on assigned tasks.
• Everyone — including leadership — should be operating under a clearly-stated purpose.

The statement should be prominently displayed and woven into all aspects of the company, including literature, team meetings, and review processes. Leaders should model the highest standards of honesty and purpose. They should also set this standard for others, helping create an environment where employees can be more productive by aligning their work efforts with the mission of the company.

2. Open Clear Lines of Communication

Make sure that all employees are kept up-to-date on policies, changes, and progress.

Anticipate what new or temporary employees would need to know to feel welcomed and confident. Then, communicate this information in clear and concise ways, such as through a welcome packet, seminar, or training.

Also, include a quick questionnaire that will reveal the unique experiences and skills of all workers. Find simple ways to keep everyone informed, including appointing contacts and mentors for those coming into the company. Remember that communication is a two-way street:

• Provide clear ways for all employees to ask questions, offer insights, and express concerns.
• Set aside regular times to listen to and respond to communication from all employees.
• Remain available and approachable.

3. Build Servant-Leaders

A servant-leadership mindset is a tremendous investment into the growth of the company. When leaders are self-sacrificing, employees are moved to become more loyal and committed themselves.

Make sure that all employees are directly connected to a member of the leadership team who knows them as individuals. When the employee base sees a manager invest time with a new or temporary employee, other team members will follow suit. Everyone plays an important role in the company.

4. Cultivate Creativity

Tap into the creative energy of all members of your team:

• Trust employees to tackle problems on their own, building on their own strengths.
• Encourage collaborative work between permanent and temporary members.
• Create opportunities for departments to share their work and learn from one another.

Understand how much freedom to provide that is still within the boundaries of your internal assessments and accountability. You will see team members flourish and grow in ways that you never imagined.

5. Create a Family Atmosphere

Employees often spend more time with their co-workers than many family members. That means that a family-like atmosphere is a natural outgrowth of a positive work environment.

• Develop a central location to celebrate special events such as birthdays, marriages, and births.
• Give “shout-outs” for the successes of team members from all departments.
• Intentionally recognize the accomplishments of temporary members as well as permanent employees.

Don’t forget that family members help each other in times of need. Have an established policy of supporting employees through times of bereavement or extended illness to ensure that team members remain included when away from the central work location.

Find Support Through a Staffing Agency

A positive work environment is a place where employees want to be. Quality employees will be attracted to these environments and they will be willing to give their best efforts for your company.

If you are interested in building a positive work environment blending permanent employees and temporary workers, look to Allegiance Staffing for expertise guidance.

Our extensive screening process of temporary workers ensures that excellent candidates will integrate seamlessly in your work environment. We also offer many resources that will help you incorporate valuable temporary staff into your growing company with ease.

Have questions about why our process works? Read our FAQs for more information on how our staffing process works. Then, contact us to discuss a temporary staffing solution to help you create a positive work environment in your company.