A positive work environment is one of the best ways to improve success. Still, that doesn’t mean that every business is a good place to work. Some businesses are terrible places to work because the environment is toxic.
Is your business one of them? You need to make several changes if it is, and you need to make them quickly.
For those of you that don’t know a work environment that needs improvement, take a look at the list below. Here are the telltale signs.
High Stress
Are your employees always stressed? If they are, they are suffering from the environment. You might not see it, but your work culture is pushing them over the edge. They fear that they have to succeed constantly otherwise they are going to underperform.
As such, they go to lengths that put their physical health at risk. Try and take the edge off by letting them know that you appreciate the effort as well as the results.
Low Morale
Low morale means that your staff is always in a bad mood and don’t enjoy their work. There are many reasons this could be the case. The first is that the work isn’t challenging enough, and they are bored of doing the same thing every day. Or, it could be that the office is a drab place that reminds them of a prison cell.
To solve these issues, you should vary their work and make the office more stimulating. A fresh paint of coat and natural light are two simple tricks that are effective.
Bullying
It might not be easy to accept, but businesses do have a bullying culture. It might come down from the hierarchy, or it might come from the bullpen. Wherever it comes from, it needs to stop. It is okay being competitive, but you have to draw the line.
Your best option is to create bullying in the workplace guidelines and support for anyone that needs help. That way, everyone knows what constitutes bullying and that it needs to stop. Also, make sure that people know they can come to you with their problems. One of the roles of the boss is to listen.
No Work To Life Balance
Although you want the best for the company, you can’t work your employees to the bone. They need to have a good balance between their work and their life. Otherwise, they will slack off and become disillusioned with work.
A good work environment is flexible and allows employees to take time off when they need time off. It also makes allowances for people with certain needs. For example, parents will love you if they can take their kids to school and make the time up at the end of the day.
High Employee Turnover
If your employees are leaving on a regular basis, you are doing something wrong.
Employees don’t leave companies that they like because they are hard to find. In fact, they stay for life when they find a good one.
Do your employees stay or do they leave when they get the chance?
These are by no means a death knell, but they do need addressing as soon as possible.