“A happy worker is a productive worker.”
A quote I wholeheartedly agree with!
There’s aboslutely no question that a happy workforce will always be more productive and efficient. According o published statistics, an average person spends around one-third of their life at work. In order to be able to get the most out of your employees, managers need to keep them happy, motivated and productive.
And happiness just isn’t related to monetary benefits (although let’s be honest, money does have a BIG say in how happy we are with what we’re doing!), there’s actually a lot more to it.
Organizations, such as the ones listed below, which make conscious efforts to keep their employees happy. There’s a reason why these organizations are some of the best places to work in the world; they listen to their employees, motivate them, encourage the fact that time-off and play is as important as work, allow their employees opportunities for professional growth, and recognize and reward their personal and professional accomplishments.
The result, a happier and hence a much more productive workforce – a workforce that is as comitted to the organization’s values, aims and objectives as anyone else!
There are no ‘secrets’ when it comes to having a productive workforce, it’s as simple as keeping people who are working for you happy.
Here is a list of companies with the happiest employees:
Duh! This one was pretty obvious, wasn’t it. Google is universally known to be one of the best companies to work for in the world, by far and wide! It had continued to top Fortune Magazine’s ‘Best Places to Work’ list year after year.
And it’s easy to see why.
In the words of Fortune itself: ‘[Google] takes the Best Companies crown for the fourth time, and not just for the 100,000 hours of subsidized massages it doled out in 2012. New this year are three wellness centers and a seven-acre sports complex, which includes a roller hockey rink; courts for basketball, bocce, and shuffle ball; and horseshoe pits.’
Other perks and benefits that come with the package include (and prepare to have your jaw drop to the floor!): free gourmet food, on-site laundry, Wi-Fi commuting shuttles, five months of maternity leave with full pay and full benefits for new mothers, and when an employee dies, the company continues to pay his/her spouse or partner half of his salary for 10 years! Whoa!
And to top it all off lucky Google employees in California get to work in the awesome Googleplex!
REI
According to Forbes, Washington-based sporting goods, outdoor gear and apparel retailer REI (short for Recreational Equipment Inc.) is numero uno – for the second consecutive year, no less – as one of the best retail companies to work for.
REI has 127 stores in the US, employing 11,000 people. According to Forbes, REI received a company rating of 4.0 out of 5, and its chief executive, Sally Jewell, earned a 90% approval rating.
‘Great communication with management, fabulous work-life balance, benefits for part-time, schedule flexibility, ability to make decisions on your own–no micro management’ are just some of the perks that come with working at REI, as observed by a sales specialist.
NASA
NASA scored second spot on CareeBliss.com’s ‘Happiest Places to Work’ 2012 list – a massive improvement from it’s 27-spot the previous year, and earning a 4.19 out of 5 Bliss Rating.
According to NASA spokesperson Allard Beutel, “Even with major changes in our programs and strategic direction the last couple years, the NASA family has clearly stated they’re happy with their work.
“As NASA employees, we’re challenged to carry out missions that benefit all of humanity, and we contribute to the economic vitality of the United States. What job could be better than that?”
Touche!
And for those of your who might be interested, here’s a list of some of employee beenfits that come with working at NASA!
Wegmans Food Market
Wegmans Food Market is a family-owned grocery chain, that has consistently made it to the top 10 of Fortune’s best companies to work for. And here’s why..
The company makes employee health a priority. More than 2,000 workers have enrolled in a free smoking-cessation program since 2009; this year it opened a new 24/7 health hotline, according to CNN Money.
Furthermore,Wegmans’ turnover is an exceptionally low 3.6% which pretty much speaks for itself! The company also lets employees reward one another with gift cards for good service. Many workers like it there so much they bring in relatives, and one in five employees are related.
IKEA
IKEA was no. 2 on Forbes best retail comapanies to work for in 2012, scoring 3.8 out of 5, with CEO Mikael Ohlsson scoring 93 percent.
This employee comment pretty much sums it up: ‘Great benefits, company respects employees, 401k, free gifts, holiday party, if you make a mistake, it’s okay.’
According to Glassdoor, the company allows its employees margin to make mistakes and learn from them. “There’s a saying at IKEA companies that it’s okay to make mistakes – everyone does it. In fact, we think it’s a healthy way to learn and improve.” Or “…you get to work as a team member, have fun and get on with the job.”
This allows employees a lot of freedom without the fear that they will be reprimanded if they make err.
Facebook bagged top spot in 2012 and Glassdoor’s 2013 rankings as one of the best companies to work at, beating the likes of Apple and Google to the finish line, getting a massive 4.7/5 rating in the process!
Working at Facebook offices in California come with a long list of some amazing perks, stuff that would be the envy of Google employees!
Not only is the company famous for its laid-back culture, Facebook provide three meals to workers, top-notch medical and retirement benefits, on-site lectures and even laundry and dry-cleaning services. Employees get benefits that help them balance their work with their personal lives, including paid vacation days, free transportation, $4,000 in cash for new parents, day care reimbursement, and photo processing.
Just some of the things Facebook does to keep employees happy and productive!
Employees working at Facebook also showed their appreciation for their ability to impact a billion people out there!
Accoring to VP recruiting Lori Goler: “We strive to make Facebook a place where everyone is able to have an impact doing what they love. Receiving this award is a testament to the culture of builders we’ve worked hard to create.”
Hilton Worldwide
According to CareerBliss.com, the hotel and resort operator Hilton scores a 4.36 ‘Bliss Rating’ out of a total of 5, and based on some 3,750 hotels in about 85 countries, that is one mighty impressive feat!
The reason behind Hilton’s score: it received top marks in areas such as work-life balance, company culture and reputation, and the relationships employees have with their bosses.
“When employees feel that there is growth and expansion, the sentiment in the workplace is positive,” says Matt Miller from CareerBliss.com.
Hilton’s Human Resources CO, Matt Schuyler, confirms this. “Every day, our more than 140,000 team members . . . work hard to fill the Earth with the light and warmth of hospitality. As an employer, we know that if we treat our team members well, they will, in turn, treat our guests well.”
Apple
The list wouldn’t be quite complete without the mention of a little company based out of Cupertino, California, would it!
Rounding things up, we have Apple. While the tech giant may have ranked a rather-unimpressive 34th in Glassdoor’s best place to work in 2013, it has consistently topped these charts for a good few years now, and is not only widely regarded as one of the best places to work at in the world, but has the happiest employees in the world as well.
If working at a place called 1 Infinite Loop and working with iPhones, iPads and among some of the smartest people wasn’t enough, some of the ‘iPerks’ (heh heh) include health and life insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, a 401 plan, employee stock purchase plan, paid vacations and holidays, personal and family counselling, wellness programs, as well as access to an onsite fitness center/gym, a Wi-Fi enabled shuttle service (with free Wi-Fi!) and a cafe with a healthy menu!
Above all, Apple employees get the first sneak-peaks and hands-on experience of the latest iPhones and Apple products, and are also entitled to some awesome employee discounts!
Oh and Apple also offers above-average salaries to it’s employees!
Some employee quotes, thanks to Forbes: “It’s been a hell of a ride. I wouldn’t trade it for any other retail job.”
“My first year at Apple has been a great experience for me. The way things have been done this first year is like no other. From having fun activities with colleagues as meetings to just overall having fun coming to work… My Apple Retail experience is fun, challenging, and emotionally and mentally rewarding; I’ve been here a few years now, so this isn’t just honeymoon talk.”
“I’ve met the most impactful people of my life while working for Apple and formed many on going friendships. Apple provides its employees with many life skills that can be used anywhere. One of the trainings I’ve attended was on par with a Master’s level Communication course. From dealing with escalated issues, facilitating group trainings, and everything in between, Apple provided skills I continue to use daily.”
What Apple ends up with is a happy, productive workforce, and it is therefore hardly a secret why Apple – like the rest of the companies on this list – is a well-oiled and well-run operation that makes a ton of money each year!
