Keeping your employees happy should be at the top of your list when you’re building your own business from the ground up.

While many still have the mentality that workers should turn up at 9 on the dot and stay at their computer until their lunch, this can actually be counter-productive.

Rather than tethering your employees to their desk, give them a little space and go out of your way to make the environment one they would enjoy working in.

If you’re flummoxed as to how you should go about this, here are our top tips on creating the perfect workplace.

Keep it light

One aspect you should put at the top of your list when you’re picking out an office for your business is how much light it gets.

If, on a bright sunny day your employees are only able to enjoy the sunshine through a tiny window, it’s not going to keep them in very good spirits and could even effect their overall productivity.

Big windows and light walls that help reflect the light are vital to help keep your employees happy and enjoying their day.

If you only have a small space to work with, you can still make sure plenty of light gets in with a big window and some clever interior décor. Make sure you don’t clutter up the space too much to ensure your employees don’t feel cramped throughout the day.

Ask how you can improve

It’s important to keep a dialogue going between yourself and your employees.

This is especially important when you’re looking for ways to keep employees happy. There’s no point investing in a ping pong table if no one is going to play after all!

Make an extra effort to head over to your employees and see how they feel about their workplace, and what office perks they’d like to see.

Welcome breaks

If you’re militant about how many hours your employees sit at their desk for, it doesn’t mean you’re encouraging productivity.

In fact, it’s more likely that you’re chasing it away.

Rather than breathing down your employees’ necks give them a bit of space and encourage them to head outside for a break or go for a walk when they’re struggling to concentrate.

They’ll appreciate your leniency and be more likely to favour your company – this could even affect your staff retention figures as a result.

Go green

Companies with an ethical mind set are ones that have clearly thought about their effect on the planet and are mindful to how they impact it.

Employees will appreciate a company that can hold its hand up and say it can improve, which is why there’s no harm in investing in some recycling bins for the office and consciously considering what you can do to help the environment.

You might make it your mission to reduce the amount of plastic in the office and suggest employees bring lunch from home, or you might provide employees with reusable water bottles so they don’t buy single use plastic ones.

Encourage social activity

This applies both in and out of the workplace and can have a huge impact on how your employees perceive their workplace.

While they may love what they do at work, the people they interact with make up a huge part of their work life, which is why encouraging social activity between your employees should be actively encouraged.

You may set up a monthly pizza day where everyone gets pizza together, or you may want to assign someone to organise regular events outside work everyone can take part in.

What are your tips for keeping employees happy in the workplace? Leave your comments in the section below or get in touch with us on Facebook or Twitter.