Considering the amount of time we spend in our jobs. Being happy with where we work and what we do is an important aspect. While a lot of importance is being placed on positive mental health and supporting those with poor mental health. Little emphasis is placed on how good working relationships can influence an individual’s mental health. So, how do we start to love a Monday morning and our work week in general?
Good Communication
While it’s not necessary or sometimes possible to enjoy everybody’s individual personalities. It’s important co-workers are able to communicate with each other in a positive and friendly manner. Promoting the bonds between co-workers doesn’t have to be difficult. However, workplaces need to have freedom in the schedule to allow colleagues to get to know each other. To create these working relationships.
There are several ways to do this in and out of the office. The work week doesn’t have to just start on a Monday morning. From small initiatives like an office playlist that individuals can add music too. A set time for employees to recognise hard work once a month. Or a social calendar with out of work events that workers can freely choose to attend. More involved methods of promoting healthy working relationships can include outside or indoor team building activities. Actively rewarding employees who try to socialise positively.
Why Do Employees Need a Healthy Working Relationship?
Some individuals are more social than others. Some people will fill their “social metre” during their working day. While others will regularly seek out more social settings.
Good working relationships allow our social needs to be met. They can also help us feel fulfilled during the day. Much like eating food or drinking water. Without these good relationships, we end up putting more energy into negative feelings. Which can leave us mentally and emotionally drained in addition to making the workplace an uncomfortable place to be.
What Defines a Good Working Relationship?
While it may seem obvious to say the only way to have good work week relationships is to be friends with everyone. It’s often not practical (unless you have an amazing set of staff!). Drilling down into a positive relationship there are a few points that stand out; Trust, Good Communication and Respect.
Building Positive Working Relationships
Businesses shouldn’t expect their staff to automatically communicate like friends. It’s unrealistic. Instead, companies should offer opportunities for staff to build their own working relationships; having a social area in-house for staff to relax in on breaks or after work is a good contribution.
When staff can socialise with each other during the work week, everyone is noticeably more relaxed. Able to communicate more effectively and when problems arise. These staff are more likely to take care of it between themselves.
Encouragement
Encourage staff to recognise each other’s strengths and achievements. This could be a yearly voted staff reward “ceremony” or a staff-voted employee of the month.
Staff who don’t put any effort into their working relationships. Or have negative working relationships don’t work as efficiently. They’ll view work in an undesirable light. They may be more prone to sick days. Or being late to work as there’s little or no motivation towards their job. Positive work relationships help staff look forward to working hours. They’re often happier in themselves with a higher quality of work.
If you notice your staff have lost productivity or don’t mesh well together. Consider some team building activities or a meeting to find out where support can be offered. A happy workforce encourages a successful business. Make your staff enjoy their Monday mornings again!
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