Putting the App in Employee Happiness

The typical landscape of the workplace now looks very different to how it did just a few short years ago. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen the rise of the “hybrid” workplace and the Great Resignation, with almost 100 million US employees leaving their jobs from 2021-22. This has inevitably presented numerous and varied challenges for employers, such as increased turnover and disengaged employees.

The Great Resignation has now been replaced by what the CIPD has dubbed the ‘Big Stay’, and more people are now opting for job stability in a declining job market. However, the past few years have given employers something to think about, facing the hard reality that their priorities needed to change if they wanted to hold on to their valued employees.

For many, this has meant focusing less on profits and targets and more on people and teams. So it’s not surprising that business priorities now include some element of employee experience, engagement and retention.

But how do you engage and retain employees? The answer is more straightforward than you might think – make them happy!

Employee happiness refers to the overall satisfaction, contentment, and wellbeing of employees in their workplace. It encompasses various aspects including, but not limited to:

• Job satisfaction: The extent to which employees feel fulfilled and content with their job roles, responsibilities, and the work they do.
• Autonomy: The degree of control and decision-making power employees have in their roles, allowing them to feel empowered and valued in their contributions.
• Company culture: The values and vision of the organisation that define the work environment, and how well these align with employees' personal values and expectations.
• Career development: Opportunities for professional growth, skill development, and career advancement.
• Recognition: The acknowledgment and appreciation of employees’ efforts and achievements, which can significantly impact their morale and motivation.

Employee happiness is often overlooked, yet it’s a critical factor for organisational success. Competency alone is not enough – if an employee is not motivated, they’re not going to deliver their best work. Happy employees generally enjoy their role and have a positive attitude. It’s this positivity that can transform an employee’s ability, motivation and willingness to create quality work, and also go the extra mile when needed.

Employee happiness isn’t just a feel-good factor; it’s a valuable strategic asset. There’s growing evidence to show that employee happiness leads to:

• Increased productivity & employee engagement: Happy employees are more engaged, motivated and focused, leading to up to 20% more productivity and efficiency. When employees feel valued and content, they are less stressed and distracted. They are more likely to focus better and work efficiently and effectively, put in extra effort, and be proactive in their roles.
• Reduced turnover: When employees are satisfied with their job, they are less likely to seek employment elsewhere. Retaining experienced and skilled employees means less time and costs associated with recruiting, hiring, and training new employees. Organisations with high employee engagement experience 59% lower turnover rates in low-turnover industries and 24% lower turnover rates in high-turnover industries.
• Better health & reduced absenteeism: Happiness is directly linked to health. Employees who are happy are less likely to experience stress-related illnesses or be absent from work, typically taking 10x fewer sick days compared to unhappy employees. This ensures a more consistent workforce with projects and tasks more likely to be completed on time, maintaining productivity.
• Stronger company culture: A happy workforce contributes to a positive company culture and vibrant work environment, which can attract top talent, inspire everyone to perform at their best, and collaborate effectively. Effective teamwork ensures that projects run smoothly and efficiently and establishes a culture of high productivity and continuous improvement.
• Better customer service: Employees who are happy are more likely to provide better customer service. Their positive attitude can enhance customer interactions, leading to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty, boosting sales and overall business performance.
• Increased profitability & long-term growth: All the outcomes above—higher productivity, reduced turnover, better customer service —in turn contribute to the overall profitability of a company. Additionally, companies that prioritise employee wellbeing are better equipped to adapt to changes, handle challenges, and sustain growth over time. Proving that happy employees are a key driver of a company’s long-term success.

One of the main factors directly impacting happiness is company culture - the values, goals, beliefs, behaviours, and expectations that shape the work environment. It’s created and maintained by everyone in the organisation and sets the tone for how employees interact with each other.

A positive work culture, where employees feel safe, respected, and valued, significantly boosts happiness. When employees feel supported and empowered, with good relationships with each other, they’re more likely to be engaged and satisfied with their work. And as we’ve seen in the previous section, this leads to very positive outcomes.

Understanding how their role contributes to their organisation’s mission can enhance an employee’s sense of purpose and fulfilment, as well has having autonomy and security in their roles, and a good work-life balance. Yet, there are also other key factors that contribute to making employees happier, including:

1. Recognition & appreciation: Regular acknowledgment of employees' efforts and achievements promotes feelings of appreciation and value. This recognition can be shown as rewards, incentives, or even as simple as verbal praise.
2. Clear communication: Transparent and open communication from management about company goals, changes, and expectations helps employees feel informed and valued, fostering trust and reducing uncertainty.
3. Employee involvement: Involving employees in decision-making processes and giving them a voice, particularly in matters that affect their work, creates a culture of accountability - it empowers employees and enhances their sense of ownership and commitment.
4. Opportunities for growth: Providing employees with opportunities for learning, professional development and career advancement helps them feel invested in and committed to their work. This should include training programmes, workshops, and clear career paths.
5. Employee support: Managers who are approachable, empathetic, and supportive in providing guidance and addressing employees' concerns contribute significantly to a positive work atmosphere. Regularly offering both positive feedback and constructive criticism also creates a culture of continuous feedback, helping employees to improve in their roles.
6. Social interaction: Regular team-building activities and social events help to build connection, cohesion and camaraderie among employees, making working life more enjoyable.

It’s easy to see that there’s a virtuous circle connecting employee happiness and business success: when employees are recognised for their efforts, involved in shaping company culture and goals, and find purpose in their work, they are happy. Happy employees are thriving employees, and thriving employees are motivated, engaged, satisfied, and more productive. They contribute more effectively to their organisation's goals, leading to better business outcomes. And when their efforts are acknowledged and rewarded, the cycle starts all over again.

Conversely, if these needs aren’t met the consequences can be disastrous for business. A lack of recognition can lead to feelings of underappreciation; poor communication from management can create a negative work environment; lack of empowerment and involvement can cause employees to feel restricted, undervalued and unheard; limited growth opportunities can lead to frustration and stagnation; inadequate support can hinder employees’ ability to carry out their roles effectively; and a poor work culture with negative dynamics can severely impact employee morale.

An employee engagement app can be a simple, yet extremely powerful tool for enhancing and supporting employee happiness by facilitating communication, recognition, development, and overall workplace satisfaction. Here are several ways you can help your employees to thrive using an app:

Recognition & appreciation:

• Instant recognition: Enable employees and managers to recognise each other for their efforts and thank them for their contributions.
• Celebrating achievements: Celebrate birthdays, work anniversaries, and other significant milestones, which help employees to feel valued and appreciated.

Clear communication:

• Company news & updates: Keep employees informed in real time about company news, updates, and goals, no matter whether they’re in the office, working remotely or on the road, fostering a sense of both inclusion and transparency.
• Resource library & digital ‘lockers’: Provide easy access to important documents, company policies, and resources, as well as employees’ own personal and confidential files, giving them the information they need at the push of a button.

Employee involvement:

• Surveys and Polls: Conduct regular employee engagement surveys and quick polls to gather valuable feedback and insights into various aspects of the workplace.
• Open Communication Channels: Provide platforms for open communication where employees can voice their concerns, share ideas, and ask questions.

Opportunities for growth:

• Training & learning resources: Offer access to training programs, workshops, and e-learning modules to help employees develop new skills and advance their careers.

Employee support:

• Anonymous reporting: Offer a platform for employees to report issues or concerns anonymously, ensuring they feel safe and supported.
• HR assistance: Facilitate easy access to HR support and resources with a People Directory, helping signpost employees to the right person with any questions or concerns they may have.

Social interaction:

• Social features: Create a social space within the app where employees can interact, share photos and updates, and celebrate personal and professional milestones.
• Team-building activities: Organise team-building events and activities to encourage connection and strengthen relationships among employees.

An employee app can be an invaluable tool for creating a more positive and motivating work environment, ultimately leading to greater employee happiness and satisfaction. Here’s how some of our Thrive clients used their app to deliver these features for a more connected culture and engaged workforce.

DPD Ireland

DPD Ireland is one of the leading and largest parcel delivery companies in Ireland, whose 650-strong workforce is spread across the province in different departments, shifts and locations. Communicating and connecting with everyone was a challenge, and DPD Ireland recognised that they needed to improve their employee experience if they wanted to improve their customer experience. They used their Thrive employee app ‘Out of the Box’ to create a more inclusive and connected company culture that would bring everyone together.

Mary Gaffey, People Operations Manager at DPD Ireland, said: “The app allows us to deliver important business communications, but also good news stories, those moments that matter to employees, such as the baby news and the wedding news. It also boosts employee engagement, morale, and keeps everyone connected. Employees can access information at a place and time that suits them. With push notifications, we’re able to inform employees of new content in real time.”

Mallaghan

Leading GSE manufacturer, Mallaghan, employs a dispersed team of over 400 office and production staff. They embarked on their Thrive journey to transform their internal communications and create a communal space for everyone to feel involved, including those without access to a desk or laptop. This included using their Thrive employee app to create and organise events to bring everyone together, which has created a more positive culture, boosted morale, and improved the employee experience.

Laura McGrath, Marketing & Corporate Communications at Mallaghan, said: “It’s really great to get events organised and posted on the app. It allows us all to get together, driving forward our culture and our people. It’s really important for us to put our people first, so it’s been great to see the likes of Christmas, Hallowe’en or upcoming summer events. Everybody’s involved, it’s not just targeted to one group in the company.”

Air France-KLM

Air France-KLM is one of the world’s leading airlines. It employs over 80,000 staff and its London-based European Sales & Service Centre (ESSC) plays a crucial role in the company’s success. They had successfully rolled out remote working but wanted to streamline communication, reduce email overload, and create a community to keep colleagues connected, informed and engaged. Their Thrive employee app, “My Wem”, enabled them to achieve this, resulting in increased productivity and employee engagement.

Internal Communications at Air France-KLM ESSC, said: "The ‘My Wem’ app has created a ‘virtual campfire’ for all of our employees. It has shaped our company culture. The app has aligned to our company values, it has simplified communication and increased the voice of the employee which is key to a successful communication strategy. Personally, I love the ‘Cheers to your Peers’ recognition functionality, it provides a quick and easy way for us to share success and thank colleagues for their efforts. The layout and simplicity of the app is also very appealing.”

Making employees happy can really be as simple as it sounds, especially with a tool like an employee app in your toolkit.

If transforming your company culture or employee experience is on your agenda, we’d love to chat about how we can help. Get in touch today to find out more about how a Thrive employee app can be used as part of your employee experience strategy.