3 Secrets of a Happy Startup Workplace

STARTUPS across the country are known for their work cultures. But, what does it take for a startup to be a happy one? Well, if motivation was the only thing required would promising employees be shuttling jobs so often? It is often believed that work culture is established as soon as you have hired your team. They, in the early stages develop the startup culture. Dane Atkinson, CEO, Sumall states, “Your team should form its DNA early.” Is culture the only aspect that decides if a startup is a happy workplace or not? The answer is NO. There are several Human Resources secrets behind it too.

Flexible Working Hours – This should no longer be considered a fantasy but it is a booming reality. Startups often make their employees burn the midnight oil. Why not compensate, by allowing them to walk in late at work too? The probability of expecting employees to work till 9 PM and asking them to report again at 10 AM seems too harsh doesn’t it? Flexible work hours make employees feel that the organization cares about them and do not want to overwork and underpay them. Believe it or not, long working hours has been one of the most common reasons why employees quit startups. Cali Ressler, co-creator of the Results-Only Work Environment (ROWE), says “companies need to hold employees accountable for results not face time.” In simpler terms, longer hours do not necessarily mean more work. Offering flexible hours helps boost productivity.

Pamper Employees with non – work perks – How many of you have heard employees being sent on reward vacations abroad? It is a common practice among established MNC’s to send goal achievers on trips, why can’t startups do the same? Some startups, have adopted this and it truly serves as a great motivational factor to make employees stick around and work hard.
Other non-work perks include taking employees for retreats and getaways once every 6 months or a year, offering incentives like Sodexo coupons, memberships for gyms and clubs, exclusive holiday destination packages for their families, work picnics with families and so on. These kind of pampering shows care and concern and make employees feel that they are working for the right organization.

Have a transparent approach – Most employees in today’s era want to know greater detail about the business. By greater detail, we mean finances and critical decisions. Transparency is the key and an organization, which is honest about its business in terms of monies with their employees, helps workers invest themselves more. They feel more responsible towards achieving profits for the organization. A workplace where everyone is aware about the success is a happy workplace. When making profits, employees take lots of pride in the success, when making losses; employees find themselves responsible and hence work harder. Either way, it is a win – win situation for an entrepreneur.