Why employee happiness and business success go hand in hand

How to retain employees

In the new normal, where health, and more recently mental wellness, is a top priority, the rise of the hybrid work culture has allowed for a more flexible way of working, leaving employees feeling a renewed sense of wellbeing.

Nowadays, employees are more likely to prioritise their mental and physical wellbeing, with studies suggesting that 52 percent of UAE job applicants prefer organisations that have empathetic mental health policies embedded in their company values – and are more likely to leave companies that don’t.

It all comes down to nurturing and advancing employee engagement meaning how connected employees feel to the company and how fulfilled and motivated they are within their job role. Simply said, if members of the team do not feel as though they are playing an important role to the company, they will not perform to their full potential. At Laundryheap, we are helping to simplify and better our customers’ lives, a reflection we as a company want to shine back on our employees as well.

When it comes to encouraging employees, a little goes a long way. Small gestures such as praising employees through personalised, positive feedback, financial incentives, providing training and learning opportunities, or simply checking in on their mental wellbeing can all have a positive impact on an employee’s motivation. Additionally, flexibility is a crucial aspect, with a study finding that no less than 86 percent of UAE employees agree that organisations need to offer more flexibility to retain staff.

As a business owner, it’s crucial that I am constantly evaluating how we run as a business, always bearing our employees in mind. One must be honest and ask ‘what could be causing dissatisfaction for our team members at this moment?’.

Always aim to create an environment that’s open and nonjudgmental, a space where employees are encouraged to voice their opinions and grow the business with you. Not to mention, it’s essential to make sure to keep your team members informed about what’s happening in the wider organisation and how it affects them. The more open and transparent you are, the easier it will be to build trust and create good relationships.

Employee satisfaction’s impact on business success

When employees feel their work is appreciated and their wellbeing is prioritised, their engagement increases. Research suggests that happy employees are 20 percent more productive, likely to manifest as increased motivation, loyalty, improved work performance, harmonious teamwork, happy customers, and eventually, positively affecting the company’s profitability.

The UAE government has opened a gateway for companies to retain employees with the latest amendments and additions to labour laws. Revised visa contracts, extended maternity and paternity leave, and further protection against harassment keeps employee needs front and center to ensure ease and flexibility of working in the country. This, in turn, allows companies to take this forward and follow in the footsteps of the government to foster a healthy and productive work culture.

The goal is to create an environment that empowers employees to show up motivated and energised each day, ready to conquer any challenge and reach their full potential both for professional growth and the organisation’s success.

After all, employees are the engine that keeps company operations running, so keeping their happiness and progression at the forefront will only reap success for the company as well.

Deyan Dimitrov, CEO of Laundryheap.