How to Save Money and Still Keep Your Employees Happy


As any boss will know, there’s a fine line between being frugal and tight-fisted. Whether you own your own business or you’re simply in charge of a budget and a camp of hard-working employees, you’ll undoubtedly want to appear generous without compromising your money saving strategy.

It can be a tricky balance to manage — after all, not everyone has the budget to create a Google-esque office oasis — however there are ways to encourage a harmonious working environment and keep costs under control at the same time.

From simple mood enhancers to long-term perks, by increasing happiness levels, work satisfaction and productivity, you could even end up making more money in the long run. Here are a few handy hints and tips on how!

Encourage progression

If you’re in charge of a group of young employees, you’ll undoubtedly be looked upon as something of a mentor. If this is the case and you spot someone with potential, encourage them in any way you can — whether this is through personal tutoring, paying for a relevant qualification or conference, or simply words of praise – you’ll be surprised at how much of an impact you could have on somebody’s career.

As a result, you’ll probably benefit too; their growing knowledge and skill-set will only enhance the business in the long run.

Create a comfortable office space

A desk job doesn’t allow for the most pleasant working environment; offices can be stuffy, cramped and particularly claustrophobic at times.

So look for ways you can increase the comfort levels of staff; whether you invest in a few luxuries like a coffee machine, bean bags or just orthopedically-sound chairs, bringing a few home comforts into the office is likely to increase everyone’s general well-being and contentment.

If you’re worried about money or don’t have the funds to spare, try buying when the sales are on – John Lewis are particularly worth checking out, and you can get up to 30% off furniture at the moment.

Provide incentive

Whatever kind of business you’re in, team building days can be a fantastic way to improve morale and drive – so whether you can afford a day of paintballing, a theatre trip or just a working lunch, think of a treat to build incentive.

Better yet, if you set a (realistic) target, they’ll be more inclined to work hard to achieve it. If you don’t have the money to invest here, try to think of alternative ways you could help out your workforce – from sharing your own corporate discounts to encouraging time off.

After all, employees returning from holidays are proven to have a boost in productivity, especially if they’ve gotten up to 50% off summer holidays thanks to a tip off from the boss!

Celebrate the little things

Doing little things to lighten the office atmosphere is well worth a bit of time and expense. It’s important to make employees feel valued and worthwhile, and you don’t have to spend much to create a fun working atmosphere ­– from birthdays and anniversaries, to Christmas jumper days and sponsored silences – simply marking an occasion or having a themed day can be enough.

Who doesn’t love a slice of cake to help them get through a particularly dull Thursday afternoon?

However you go about it, keeping your staff happy doesn’t have to mean spending over the odds. Just by taking a thoughtful approach, you’re likely to win friends as well as happy employees.


Discussion

  1. Katie Paterson on the 17th May

    Least expensive way to make employees happy “SAY THANK YOU”, it may not always be everything an employee needs but it is always a great way to start and great wayt o have a touch point with your team on a daily basis.

  2. stanley omoikeghan on the 24th May

    Another way to make employees happy is to study him to be accomplished and not affluent as other. always be available when ever he needs your attention…

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