Emma Lambert, employee experience manager at Anabas, discusses the vital role that facilities management companies play in in creating positive, happy and engaging workplace experiences for employees this International Day of Happiness…

In recent years, corporate businesses are realising the correlation between employee happiness in and their levels of engagement and productivity in the workplace. Economists at the University of Warwick, for example, carried out several experiments in 2022 and found that happiness made people as much as 12% more productive.

At Anabas, we go beyond simply managing physical spaces; we cultivate environments that promote a thriving and happy workforce. Below are some examples of how we can have a significant impact on employee happiness and satisfaction in the workplace and beyond.

Optimising spaces for enhanced employee wellbeing

For corporate office occupiers, it is the responsibility of facilities management teams to support clients in creating spaces that are fit for purpose, comfortable, safe, and clean, which will subsequently have an impact on their wellbeing and happiness and create a thriving work environment.

Biophilic designs, technology, cleanliness and wellness initiatives are just some examples of how spaces can be optimised, and the employee-centric nature of facilities management places us in the best position to maintain and enhance these workplaces for employee happiness.

Fostering connections and building relationships

Communal areas in the workplace are so much more than just break rooms with a ping pong table and a TV. Now, they are hubs of communication that encourage spontaneous interactions and team-building activities that foster happiness through connection.

At Anabas, roles like workplace community managers are now common in total facilities management contracts. It is their job to work with our clients, and their employees, to create vibrant hubs of activity in the office, with communal spaces being used for everything from company-wide town hall gatherings, public senior leadership meetings to pop-up retail sessions and charity fundraising events.

Instilling a sense of community, and positioning the corporate office as more than just a place to carry out work, can have a positive impact on employee engagement, morale, and happiness.

Healthy habits, happy employees

It is also the role of our FM teams to collaborate with our clients and support initiatives that promote employee physical and mental health for a happier, healthier workforce.

Healthy lunch options with quality ingredients and nutritious snacks are simple ways to support physical health among employees. Additionally, adopting fitness challenges, mindfulness activities and even on-site yoga classes for employees to take part in during their break times can promote mental health and happiness in the workplace, too. For example, this month the Anabas team are taking part in a nationwide step challenge to bring our teams together and walk for better physical and mental health.

Reflecting company values in the workplace

Research suggests that teams with a powerful sense of shared purpose and values have a 17% increase in performance compared to teams without. Providing employees with a sense of purpose and a shared sense of belonging can make them more engaged in their roles and happier in the workplace, too. At Anabas, we have a values-driven culture which underpins all that we do. It motivates our teams and creates a happy and engaging work environment.

In conclusion, facilities management companies have transcended their traditional roles of simply maintaining physical spaces. By prioritising employee happiness and wellbeing, our teams are shaping the future of workplaces, fostering vibrant communities, and contributing to a more engaged and productive workforce. This commitment to creating positive and engaging working environments benefits employees and businesses, fostering a win-win situation for all.