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Happiness
Get that mojo working

Losing employees is expensive – as is paying salaries to unhappy, unproductive workers.
Stephanie Sparrow finds out how savvy businesses are keeping their staff engaged

ork makes us happy. That’s and author of Happiness by Design. He brand, says Kevin Green, chief
W according to the authors of recommends simple strategies, such as ‘Companies executive of the Recruitment and
the United Nations World “giving employees timely and salient have to Employment Confederation.
Happiness Report 2017, although the feedback”, explaining that feelings of be aware “Companies have to be aware
statment carries a caveat – our happiness come from the right balance not just of their brand profile to
employment must be well-managed, between pleasure and purpose. of their customers, but their brand as an
and feel secure. “Many of our experiences at work brand as an employer too,” he says, explaining
Employment experts agree. feel purposeful,” he says, “but many employer’ that job candidates look at the
Rachel Suff, senior policy adviser, feel like a waste of time. This not emotional experience of a new work
employment relations, at the only affects productivity, but also our environment “ where people feel
Chartered Institute of Personnel likelihood of quitting.” inspired to do their best”.
Development, says HR departments Employers know that workers’ At Firmdale Hotels, they’re
have to be “aware of their wider empathy with their job or corporate encouraging employees to feel happy
responsibilities and strong moral objectives keeps them loyal and more and valued by replacing split shifts
reasons for managing the subjective likely to give their best. According to with fixed hours. This makes it
wellbeing of their employees”. Top Employers UK (TEUK), employees’ easier for staff to manage work and
She believes the HR department’s “engagement” with the business is home commitments.
remit is broad: “They have to one of the top three drivers of business “Our employer brand is ‘Love what
pay attention to every factor that success; and it is measured regularly you do”, says director of people and
touches the employment experience, by 71% of accredited employers in its development Julia Murrell, “and we
including good management, dignity, list (see page 14). The average cost of aim for all 1,300 employees in our eight
inclusion, relationships and peoples’ replacing one employee stands at London hotels to experience this.”
health, as well as managing risk £30,614, according to a report by Employee feedback, which is
factors, such as stress.” Oxford Economics and Unum, gathered online and through quarterly
And there are no short cuts to so the business case for keeping breakfast clubs, is positive. “About
PHOTOGRAPHY: GeTTY to encourage fun at work often a supportive culture for Firmdale Hotels and more than
staff happy is strong.
95% say they are proud to work
creating a happy workplace. “Attempts
Engaging work in
29% of staff were promoted over
backfire,” says Paul Dolan, professor of
2016-17,” she says, “and revenue has
psychological and behavioural science
is now recognised as
increased by 5.25%.”
at the London School of Economics
crucial to the corporate

Be happy! 3 February 2018 23