Promote a Healthier Working Environment with These Easy Steps

Every employee will have their own definition of what constitutes a healthy working environment. For some, financial reward is simply enough. For others, it can be different. People like to feel valued at work – like they're a part of the team. Let's keep things simple. Our definition of a healthy working environment is one which rewards performance.
So, what are some of the ideas you can implement to make your staff feel as though their work lives are every bit as rewarding as their personal lives? First of all, your job as the business owner is to make sure that every member of staff feels safe, happy and valued. Let's take a more in-depth look at exactly what that means:
Follow Health & Safety Regulation
Nothing sends a message to your employees that you don't care about their well being than failing to comply with health and safety laws. Especially as a small business, do not underestimate the importance of health and safety at work. For starters, you are legally obliged to follow legislation. But you should be far more concerned about your employees' safety than avoiding a fine. This means providing adequate safety gear where appropriate. Or carrying out risk assessments. Or providing basic luxuries like drinking water.
Make Everyone Feel Comfortable
Both literally and metaphorically. The bare minimum your employees should expect from you is a comfortable place to sit. They should also be able to feel comfortable coming to work knowing they won't face any forms of bullying or harassment. Again, discrimination based on gender, race or sexual orientation opens you up for legal trouble. Clamp down on that kind of behaviour for yourself if not the happiness of your employees.
Be Fair
Everyone should have the right to promotions or pay rises based on their experience or skills. It's crucial that you treat all your employees with the respect they deserve and don't undervalue the role they play. You can sure that if you happen to overlook them, they'll soon find somewhere that won't. You might also consider sending your staff on training courses in order to show your faith in them. This means they get to learn new skills that stand to further their careers, even if it's not as part of your company. Lean and continuous improvement training  are currently popular as ways of managing companies from the top down. It's about ensuring everyone has specified roles and are rewarded fairly based on their contributions.
Find A Balance
Some employees are at their most productive when the pressure is totally off. They find themselves breezing through work (at a high level) while having a good time with their colleagues. Not everyone can operate in this way. Some need strict deadlines and highly pressured environments. In order to cater to both of these kinds of people, you need to find the best of both worlds. The best staff come in all shapes and sizes, so strike a balance between the two. Don't be too strict or too lenient, and find a way to cater to your employees' individual needs.