​WHO’S THE BOSS?

Celebrating International Week of Happiness at Work

The International Week of Happiness at Work is a globally recognised event that highlights the significance of creating a joyful and fulfilling workplace.This celebration isn't just about colourful balloons and office parties—it's about fostering an environment where employees feel valued, motivated, and genuinely happy to come to work each day. In this article, we’ll explore why happiness at work is crucial and provide practical tips on how employers and managers can celebrate and enhance happiness in their workplaces.Why is Happiness at Work Important? Increased Productivity Research consistently shows that happier employees are more productive. A positive work environment boosts morale, leading to increased motivation and efficiency. Happy employees are more engaged, less likely to take sick days, and more inclined to go the extra mile. Enhanced Employee Retention A workplace that prioritises happiness tends to have lower turnover rates. When employees feel appreciated and satisfied, they are more likely to stay with the company, reducing recruitment and training costs for employers. Improved Mental Health Promoting happiness at work also has significant benefits for employees' mental health. A supportive and positive work environment can reduce stress and prevent burnout, leading to a healthier, more balanced life for employees. Better Team Collaboration Happiness creates a sense of camaraderie and teamwork. Employees who are happy at work are more likely to collaborate effectively, share ideas, and support one another, leading to a more innovative and successful company. How to Celebrate the International Week of Happiness at Work Here are some actionable tips to help you celebrate this important week and promote happiness in your workplace: 1. Recognise and Appreciate Take time to recognise and appreciate your employees' hard work. Whether it's through verbal acknowledgement or formal rewards, showing gratitude to your employees can significantly boost morale. 2. Create a Positive Environment Ensure that your workplace is welcoming and comfortable. Invest in good lighting, ergonomic furniture, and add some greenery to create a pleasant atmosphere. A clean, well-organised workspace can greatly impact an employee's mood and productivity. 3. Encourage Work-Life Balance Promote a healthy work-life balance by offering flexible working hours, remote work options, and encouraging regular breaks. Support your employees in maintaining a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives. 4. Offer Professional Development Opportunities Invest in your employees' growth by providing opportunities for professional development. This could include training sessions, workshops, or even funding for further education. When employees feel that they are growing and advancing in their careers, it increases job satisfaction. 5. Host Fun Activities Organise activities that allow employees to unwind and have fun. This could be anything from team-building exercises, office games, or social events. These activities can strengthen bonds between colleagues and create a more enjoyable work environment. 6. Listen and Act Create way for employees to voice their opinions and concerns. Regular feedback sessions and surveys can provide valuable insights into what makes your employees happy and what could be improved. Be sure to act on their feedback to show that their voices are heard and valued. Conclusion The International Week of Happiness at Work is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the importance of creating a happy workplace and to take actionable steps towards achieving it. By promoting happiness at work, employers can foster a more productive, engaged, and fulfilled workforce. Remember, a happy employee is not just an asset to the company; they are the heart and soul of an organisation. Celebrate this week by making lasting changes that prioritise employee happiness, and watch your workplace transform for the better.Are you looking to strengthen your team with top-tier finance and accountancy professionals? At Sharp Consultancy, we excel in connecting your business with exceptional talent for temporary, interim, or permanent roles. With our well-established offices in Leeds and Sheffield, our experienced consultants are dedicated to serving businesses across Yorkshire and beyond. Don't leave your recruitment needs to chance—contact us TODAY and let's find the perfect candidates to drive your business forward.Resources:Happiness at Work - International Week of Happiness at Work

Read article

Starting a new job can be daunting, and taking up your first position at the helm of a team, department or company can present its own set of challenges. Whether you are the new person coming into an established group of employees or have been promoted within your existing organisation, what can you do to ensure that your step up into management is a success?

Making the move into management can be a tricky one; by this stage in your career, your ability to perform at a technical level has been proven but a leadership role is as much about motivating and inspiring others which means drawing more upon your communication skills, ability to build relationships and understanding emotional intelligence.

The performance of those you are responsible for will have a huge influence upon how you are viewed by your peers, senior managers and others within your team. Understanding how to get the best out of each individual, whilst meeting the objectives of the business and maintaining a motivated and happy workforce can be a tricky balance to achieve.

You may have to adapt your own style to suit those around you; what works for one may not have the same affect on another. And getting the required response and performance out of your team can be particularly challenging if you are stepping up and managing colleagues you previously worked with at the same level.

Here are our top suggestions to ensuring that your first few weeks in your new management role get off to a great start.

Get to know your team:

If you are joining a new company, it’s important that you get up to speed on who’s who as soon as possible. Learn as much as you can about each individual – their name, how long they have been with the company, what role they undertake, what they enjoy, what motivates them. Aim to spend some one-on-one time with each person early on so you can build up a great rapport from the outset. Invite people to share their views on what changes they would be keen to see but don’t introduce something just to win popularity points.

Find out about the company:

Arrange to spend some time with other managers at your level and key personnel in any departments you will be working closely alongside. Take on board any comments they make about the performance of your team or individuals within in, but be sure to form your own opinions before suggesting any changes. Similarly be careful in sharing your opinions about the direction you think the business should be heading; as a manager you will be expected to offer your view but being too opinionated without fully understanding the culture, vision and values of the business could see you making a poor first impression.

Be clear about what is expected:

Ensure that you understand what your boss expects from you in your new role and communicate to your team what you need from them to achieve success. Avoid any temptation to criticise your predecessor but instead explain why you would like to make any changes you plan to introduce and bring everyone on board. Make sure you establish clear lines of communication – especially in the early days – so you can be kept up to speed on how projects are progressing and can engage alternative strategies to address any issues which may arise along the way.

Work on your communication skills:

Everyone is different so be sure to take time to establish clear channels of communication with each person in your team – and remember, not everyone will respond in the same way so you will need to adjust your approach to get the best out of every individual. Also look to develop a good relationship with your own boss or company board and find out how they would like you to report into them. Are there regular management meetings? What will you need to produce by way of reports? What level of detail they wish to know? Establish how much they wish to know about what is happening on a day-to-day level and if they prefer to be kept up to speed by email, a phone call or a face-to-face meeting.

Take an empathic approach:

Being a good manager is also about recognising when your team members need support. If someone is underperforming, it is important to look to understand what issues may be having an effect and what solutions can be put in place to address the situation. Learning how to also recognise how your emotions affect your work will also play a significant part in addressing potential tricky situations and improve your communication and conflict resolution skills.

Sharp Consultancy specialises in the recruitment of temporary, interim and permanent finance and accountancy professionals. With offices in Leeds and Sheffield our highly experienced team of consultants recruit for positions throughout Yorkshire and beyond. CONTACT US today to find out more.