Happy workers means they’re more productive!
Happy workers are 12% more productive, according to a blog on FastCompany.com. What a great way to increase productivity at work by focussing on our employees happiness, a win-win! In light of this research, I decided to search the web looking for ways to easily increase employee happiness by using random acts of kindness. And since we spend more waking hours at work than anywhere else, wouldn’t it be nice to have a work culture beaming with joy, not misery.
Here’s 15 Random Acts of Kindness that can be implemented at work. I’ve pulled my favourites from the sites listed, feel free to peruse these sites for additional ideas.
Kylie Hunt’s Website has some of the best I could find, there were over 52 to pick from (I seem to pick the one’s relating to food, go figure):
- Hire a chocolate fountain for the day for the office.
- Hire a popcorn vendor for your foyer for the day.
- Put out a bowl of fruit/jar of lollies in the kitchen.
- Get to work early and leave a piece of candy at each person’s desk.
- Remember others’ birthdays and important events, and celebrate them!
- Build a library of inspirational and pre-loved books for employees to borrow.
- Put your phone away while in the company of others.
- Learn the names of your office security guard, the person at the front desk and other people you see every day. Greet them by name.
- Give ‘Go Home Two Hours Early’ certificates to employees during RAK Week. Or enter employees’ names in a drawing for a ‘Leave Two Hours Early’ certificate.
Chrysta Bairre on her site shares 52 ways to be kind at work. Some of them focus on manners, but they’re good reminders.
- Make a fresh pot of coffee.
- Say “thank you” in person.
- Tell your boss what you appreciate about them.
- Invite a co-worker you don’t normally socialize with to sit with you at lunch.
- Start and end meetings on time.
- Bring in fresh fruits or vegetables to share.
- Be responsible for the energy you bring to your workplace.
The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation has a PDF with a long list of ideas. While the PDF may be outdated, the ideas aren’t. One section is focused on the workplace and these one’s worked for me:
- Invite someone new to lunch.
- Welcome and get to know new hires.
- Leave a treat on the desk of a coworker with whom you normally don’t get along.
- Write, draw, make, or buy something encouraging for a colleague who is experiencing difficulties.
- Help an overworked colleague with some tasks. Place a flower on the desk of each of your coworkers.
- Refrain from negative talk; concentrate on the positive.
- Surprise a coworker with a soft drink, coffee, or bottled water. Offer to help out with the not-so-pleasant tasks at work.
- Show your appreciation to coworkers through words and notes.
- Write a letter commending an employee who helped you, and address it to his or her boss.
Remember, happiness is contagious! Just think how your office will start buzzing once these acts of kindness start taking effect.
