Top 10 Ways to Keep Your Startup Staff Happy (Without a Raise)

Top 10 Ways to Make Sure You Have Happy Employees (Without a Raise)

Working for a startup definitely comes with its ups and downs, as well as moments of uncertainty. Read on to learn how to make sure you have happy employees.

There’s a lot to think about when starting a new business.

The ingredients that are essential to company success might accidentally slip by the wayside, between long hours, endless to-do lists, and the newfound responsibility that comes with managing a startup.

Perhaps, this is one of the reasons that most startups are doomed to fail. Studies by Harvard show that over 75% of venture-backed startups fail and that the failure rate for startups overall in the United States, after ten years, is 70%.

Maintaining happy employees can boost your business’s chance of success.

You may not be able to offer your staff a raise every time they deserve a pat on the back, but you can let them know they are appreciated in other ways.

Read on to find out how to make sure you have happy employees without raising their pay!

10 Ways to Make Sure You Have Happy Employees

Most seasoned business owners will tell you that one of the secrets to a happy company is keeping your employees happy. And, there’s plenty of ways that this can be done.

Try this top 10 list to ensure that your staff is happy at work.

1. Acknowledge Your Employees’ Efforts

There’s more power in acknowledging your workers’ positive efforts than you might realize.

A 2013 study by Globoforce shows that 89% of employees are more motivated by being told what they are doing right rather than what they are doing wrong.

So, the next time you catch one of your staff members in the act of doing something right, make sure they know you appreciate their hard work. Sometimes, just a simple “thank you” can go a long way.

2. Create an Inclusive Environment

When workers feel that they belong, they are more likely to stick around.

It’s especially important when your business is starting out to have a team that’s willing to weather a few storms. But, if you want to maintain job loyalty, you need to make sure your workers feel welcome.

Aim for a cohesive environment that makes everyone feel important. If you notice a staff member that seems left out, make an extra effort to help them become part of your office family.

A few ways to promote employee bonding include:

• Allow time to socialize and get to know one another aside from work
• Assign employees to a “team” to encourage teamwork and boost project productivity
• Pair new hires with a mentor that’s willing to show them the ropes and help them feel at home

Although you may feel like it’s wasting time when your workers are yapping about their kids or weekend plans, allowing the opportunity to form meaningful friendships is likely to benefit everyone involved and help business in the long run.

3. Offer Opportunities for Exercise

Exercise has multiple proven health benefits. But, studies show that the benefits of exercise extend past the individual. Encouraging exercise can impact your employees in many ways that are helpful to business as well.

Exercise contributes to overall healthy lifestyles, which may reduce sick days. It also has been shown to boost workers’ moods, increase productivity, and maximize employee performance, according to the Harvard Business Review.

Consider providing your staff with gym memberships. Or, provide opportunities to get active at work. You might offer an on-site exercise room, outdoor walking trails, or group fitness instruction during lunch or prior to the start of the workday.

4. Encourage Healthy Lifestyles

Helping your employees stay healthy is one of the best things you can do, not just for them, but for your business, too.

Luckily, there are lots of ways to encourage your staff to stay healthy.

Keep a bowl of fruit or veggies on hand in the break room for snacking at work. Arrange an employee health fair for your workers and have professionals administer simple in-office tests and advice on subjects such as blood pressure and weight management. Host teambuilding events that include physical activities, such as rock climbing or a ropes course.

Get workers’ families involved in company fitness-led initiatives, such as a fun run, a weekend of water sports at the lake, or an afternoon of flag football. Or, you could invite staff to participate in a hike, that could even include an overnight camping trip to a local state park.

5. Offer Cool Prizes as Worker Incentives

Announce prizes for record sales numbers, obtaining new clients, or perfect attendance to work. As a boss, you’ll score points and boost performance with contests that award workers who exemplify on-the-job excellence.

Not sure what the prizes should be? Try a restaurant gift certificate, tickets to a sporting event, or an added afternoon off from work.

You need to understand that appreciation gifts for employees can help them feel a valuable part of a business. You will end up fostering a sense of belongingness that will help in improving the employee’s productivity, but also remove dangers of not being able to retain them.

6. Protect Your Employees

Take measures to ensure that your employees are protected on the job.

Making sure that you have an active workers comp policy in place is one way to help workers feel secure.

Florida Workers Comp is a good place to start if you don’t have a policy already in place. This company offers a wide range of workers comp solutions for businesses.

7. Consider Suggestions From Staff Members

Allowing employees a safe environment to offer their suggestions not only makes them feel significant, it can also help to build a better workplace.

If you lack one on one time with workers, consider implementing a suggestion box. But, make sure that you actually review what employees contribute on a regular basis.

Mentioning suggestions from your staff at your next office meeting or in your weekly newsletter will let them know you’re really listening to what they have to say.

8. Provide Workers With High-Quality Supplies to Do Their Jobs

It may not seem like much, but making sure that your employees have the necessary supplies can make a big difference in their performance levels.

Pens, notebooks, printer paper, post-its, paper clips and other office supplies is a small price to pay for a more efficient workplace and increased employee productivity.

9. Employee Wellness Initiatives

Provide employees with wellness initiatives that show you care about their stress level and overall wellness, in addition to how well they perform at work.

You could bring in professional massage therapists to offer 10-minute rotating therapy sessions once a month for the staff. Or, host a stress-buster workshop to teach healthy ways of managing stress at work.

10. Consider Your Workers Mental Health

The startup phase can be tough at times for workers on every level. Combined with personal issues, such as relationships, raising kids, home finances, and everything else that employees have to deal with (on and off the job), life can get overwhelming.

Implementing a hotline for overstressed workers, contracting staff counseling services, or providing workers the opportunity to attend support groups helps to maintain a healthy, positive work-life balance and office mentality for everyone.

Get More Essential Advice for Success!

Want more ways to boost success in both your personal and professional life?

Check out this post for a free toolbox to get more tips for happy employees and find out how to create your own happiness, too!