As the effects of the pandemic drag on, 2021 is becoming depressingly like 2020. Vartika Kashyap* suggests how workplaces, both virtual and physical, can develop ways to lift spirits.
While 2020 was the year of COVID-19 and the adversity it brought, there is still time to make 2021 the year of happiness and spreading smiles in the workplace.
Thousands of people have lost their jobs, businesses have shut down, and countless people have lost a lot more than just money.
Amidst all the negativity spread due to the virus, which continues to scare us as new strains are being discovered, the least we can do is to make the workplace happier (be it virtual or a physical one).
Now the question is, what can you do to achieve this?
Employee Appreciation Day
Any workplace can organise one. We recently had one at ProofHub.
Although we sincerely believe that every day is an employee appreciation day, it always helps to have an entire day dedicated to the cause.
Take this opportunity to share what everyone has achieved together and where you are headed.
It becomes essential to remind the employees of what you have all been through and what you have achieved together.
Those fond memories relating to work, and things beyond work, can help everyone bond and bring a smile on their faces.
Be there to listen
The feeling of loneliness, depression, and mental fatigue has emerged as the most significant consequences of COVID-19-induced lockdowns.
In such times, it is imperative to give your employees the faith that you are there to listen to whatever is going in their minds.
Reach out to them, let them know you are there to listen and encourage open communication.
It is a leader’s job to ensure that employees can feel free to talk about things, not only related to work, that are causing them stress.
Celebrate every day
When like-minded people get together to achieve something meaningful, every day becomes a celebration.
Instil that feeling in your team, if you haven’t already done it.
Make work fun by engaging in casual conversations, chit chats and brainstorming.
Remember that creativity is a natural outcome when the team is happy.
Let’s make 2021 all about celebrating the fact that we are all in this together.
Try out these tips in your workplace; these simple steps can lead to a tremendously positive impact on the overall work atmosphere.
So, are you up for it?
*Vartika Kashyap is Chief Marketing Manager at project managing company ProofHub. She is an expert in digital marketing and entrepreneurship. She can be contacted on Twitter at @kashyapvartika.
This article first appeared on the ProofHub website.
