Home » Blog » Low cost ways to improve staff satisfaction in your small business

Having satisfied employees is a vital component of a business that runs smoothly and efficiently. Not only are they less likely to take time off sick, but they are also less likely to look for a job elsewhere, with research showing that job satisfaction is intrinsically linked with an employee’s intention to leave an organisation. If your small business has staff who are satisfied, it is more likely that they’ll show higher levels of commitment and be dedicated to making your business a success. It’s no doubt these are the sort of people who you want to have working for your company.
Employee engagement has been closely tied to health and wellbeing. The Telegraph reported that employee absence is costing businesses an average of £975 per absent employee.

As a small business you may not be able to ring-fence a pot of money dedicated to employee wellbeing in the workplace. However, there are initiatives that you can undertake to improve employee health and wellbeing, and therefore staff satisfaction, without it costing you the earth. In fact, it may actually benefit your bottom line and assist with sickness management.

Free employee wellbeing initiatives

Your small business can work to improve staff wellness without it costing you a penny.
• Encourage your staff to leave the office during their lunch break and go for a walk.
• Sign up to the Cyclescheme for free to enable your employees to save at least 25% on a new bike, and spread the cost to encourage them to cycle to work.
• Give your staff the freedom to hold meetings outside if the weather is nice.
• Set up active clubs, administered by staff volunteers, such as jogging club, badminton club, rowing club, etc. Any costs can be shared between club members.

Low cost employee wellbeing initiatives

Some initiatives will need to be paid, for but the employee engagement pay off should more than cover the expense.
• A weekly fruit box delivery gives your employees something healthy to snack on rather than reaching for the biscuits.
• Providing tea, coffee and milk is not very expensive and it’s really appreciated by staff.
• Why not give out pedometers and give out prizes for the team that has accrued the most steps?

Encourage employees to be active

Encouraging your staff to be more active can help improve their health. Everyone knows that exercise is good for you, but it can also make you more engaged and productive at work.
Postcode Anywhere CEO Guy Mucklow told HR Magazine: “It’s all too easy to stay slumped in your chair during the lunch break, but those who do exercise come back to their desks feeling rejuvenated and ready to crack on with their work.”

Does your office promote wellbeing?

Office design can impact on health, wellbeing and productivity of staff, according to a report from the World Green Building Council. The Council found that a range of factors affects health, satisfaction and job performance. These factors include:
• Breathing fresh air.
• Being at the right temperature and having some degree of personal control over thermal comfort. This could mean buying some fans and portable heaters.
• Proximity to a window and a view. Views of nature particularly have been found to improve productivity.
• How your office is laid out, including how close together desks are, breakout space and social space, can affect concentration, collaboration, confidentiality and creatively.
Some of these things you may not have control over – views of nature are not so possible if your office is in the middle of Birmingham – but others you can work to improve.
If you would like to find out some more information or need assistance, please contact us through our website www.HRBusCons.co.uk.

Other Articles

Our 11 step guide to changing a toxic culture A Quick HR Guide to Neurodiversity How to make your employees more efficient