4 ways to create a happy workplace and increase retention
SEEK’s Workplace Happiness Index has found that 62% of New Zealanders report that they feel happy at work.
Being happy at work isn’t just a win for employees; it’s also a win for employers. SEEK’s survey reveals that among those happy at work, 72% are motivated to go above and beyond with their work.
Happy employees are also less likely to search for a new job - 32% of unhappy workers think about changing jobs often, compared to only 84% of happy workers.
What’s impacting happiness at work?
SEEK’s survey asked over 1,000 workers across a broad range of roles and positions how happy they currently are with different areas of their work, including work-life balance and senior management.
Having purpose at work is the most important contributor to happiness for New Zealand workers. Kiwis also consider their day-to-day responsibilities and company culture as very important factors in their happiness at work.
Boosting happiness leads to retention - here's what you can do
“Change doesn't happen overnight”, says Transitioning Well Co-Director and Organisational Psychologist, Justine Alter. “But there are steps you can take to improve outcomes for your workers.”
1. Foster meaningful and impactful work
Justine suggests showing people how their day-to-day responsibilities align with the broader mission and values of the organisation.
“The impact a person’s role is having on an organisation is not always going to be obvious to a worker,” Justine says. “So it’s important to communicate that value. That alone can have a huge impact on how an employee feels about coming to work each day.”
2. Continue to develop team culture
If you want to create a happy workplace, culture needs to be on your radar. However, workplace culture isn’t simply a box you can check off. As Justine explains, “Culture is more than a list of values posted in the tearoom”.
Justine urges leaders to prioritise modeling the organisation’s values and behaviors, promoting diversity and inclusivity, encouraging life-work balance, recognising contributions, and fostering collaboration and teamwork.
And if you want to learn more about how to foster positive workplace culture, read: What employees are looking for in 2024.
3. Focus on salary
People expect fair compensation for their time and effort, and employees want reasonable salary increases to remain happy at work. Providing competitive pay is also key to attracting and retaining top talent. For insights on average salaries, explore SEEK’s role pages.
By fostering a supportive, purpose-driven work environment, cultivating a strong team culture, and offering fair compensation, employers can boost motivation and performance, driving both individual fulfillment and organisational success.
Source: Research conducted for SEEK by Nature, between April and June 2024 via an online survey. Responses were gathered from over 1,000 individuals currently in the workforce (either employed or looking for work), aged 18-64, and living in New Zealand.