How to Gauge if Your Employees are Happy

Being happy in the workplace is incredibly important. Unhappiness leads to lower retention rates and a bad atmosphere, which in turn means lower productivity. But how can you tell if your employees are truly happy in their jobs?

The most obvious place to start is by asking them directly. It sounds so simple but it's something that many employers neglect, either because they simply don't think about it or because they're afraid of the answers. The quickest way to find out if people are happy is to get their feedback. Workplace happiness surveys can show you how many people are satisfied and what you could improve on.

You'll also get the sense they're happy if they engage with other people on a personal as well as a professional level. That might mean chatting about non-work-related subjects during their breaks, or actively participating in after-work socials. Building meaningful relationships with colleagues is a sure sign that they want to stick with you and your company.

If employees are constantly looking to find solutions to problems, you can see that their job and their organisation mean something to them. When people take an energetic and positive outlook to work issues, it shows they're happy in their jobs and genuinely care about their career within the company and about the business itself.

You should never be afraid to ask for constructive criticism from employees, because feedback is the only way you can improve. When people find job satisfaction, they're more loyal, more productive and more supportive to others. Create that contended workplace atmosphere and your business will thrive.