Every workplace strives to create a great work culture: one where all employees are happy, involved and eager to perform. Deadlines are met, productivity is on the rise, and employees are satisfied and excited about their daily work tasks. Sounds too good to be true?

It likely is. No matter how motivated your employees are, their performance is never going to be perfect 100% of the time. However, when an employee is satisfied with their work environment, they feel valued and happy with the way they are treated, they are more likely to have greater enthusiasm and energy at work – don’t you agree?

So what are the best ways to keep employees energized and productive in the workplace?

Be Flexible
The key way to drive productivity is to allow employees to work in a way that best suits them. Of course, too much freedom can be detrimental to an organization’s productivity, but then too strict an environment can impair creativity.

The best policy an organization can have is a structured, but flexible approach: be clear on due dates and the tasks that need to be done, but be flexible in how it is achieved. This way, employees can play to their strengths and take ownership of their job – which, ultimately, increases their sense of value to the organization.

Get Creative
A workplace culture that encourages employees to problem-solve and come up with creative solutions is one that fosters employee investment in their organization and their work. If you facilitate creativity, you allow for your employees to come up with new ways to resolve a situation or task that are more efficient and effective.

So let employees be creative, encourage their ideas and their input – and you’ll see the organization transform.

Work in a Team
There is only so much that a person can do by themselves. Unless you work as a freelancer, it is the team’s performance that determines organizational success and productivity; so why not promote a healthy team environment and activities? Be it common goals for the department or the organization, or team events and celebrations, having something in common promotes better relationships at work, and helps employees understand their contribution to the bigger picture.

Have a Laugh
If the work environment is dull, work often stagnates as employees disengage. Humor and fun activities can not only keep your energy up, but they also serve as great team-building tools: when your co-workers are friendly and humor is appropriate, you feel great about your work place. The key with humor, as with salting food, is not to overdo it – otherwise the whole team will be having too much fun, with little work getting done.

“It’s a fine balance between fun and productivity”, says Tamara Reid, Ashton College’s human resources coordinator. “But I believe that happy people are productive people, which is why it is important to pay attention to work culture”.

Facilitate Wellness
Chair yoga, healthy snacks, breaks from staring at the computer screen: work wellness is definitely an important part of keeping employees happy. Workplace wellness can take different forms, from having access to coffee and coolers, to being able to set your own breaks, to having medical benefits and/or access to vaccinations. Get input from employees on the things they would like to see on the office environment, and go from there!

This article was originally published by Ashton College. Republished with permission.