Home » Blog » Do happy employees work harder?

Well there’s an interesting question. I’m sure many managers would instinctively answer “yes” but when they next walk into the office to hear laughter and chatting they will scowl and wish their staff would get on with their work.

But let’s explore the subject further. What truly makes an employee happy? I mean long term – not just the short term high that comes from getting drunk at the office party. Most management theory suggests a combination of factors contribute to a real sense of happiness and fulfilment. They include things like:

• Clear achievable but challenging expectations of performance
• A sense of belonging to a community
• Fair treatment
• A higher sense of purpose – doing good for the world
• Being valued/thanked
• Using knowledge and expertise

(NB Salary and benefits are usually noted as hygiene factors i.e. as long as they are about right they don’t significantly affect happiness either way.)

So looking at these factors – what do you think about the office laughter now? Well a bit of it will contribute to a sense of community, but an excess of laughter and chatting is not an indication of happiness. It may be a distraction from unrealistic expectations, or a lack of clear direction. It might be a lack of sense of purpose, or a reaction to poor treatment.

Whatever is the cause you can’t deal with it head on. Telling people to get back to work is probably not going to be received well. But you can clarify their goals, give challenging deadlines, remind people of the wider reason for providing good service to clients, and in that way focus them on doing their best for the company (and long-term for themselves).

Then you may just find that your staff work harder.

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