Lili Stebbings

Studies have shown that 20% of unhappy employees are twice as likely to leave their job in the next quarter than 20% of the happiest employees. Employee happiness is crucial when it comes to retaining talent and a team’s overall performance.

But with home working the new normal for most, monitoring employee happiness has become trickier than ever.

Despite the flexibility and convenience of remote working, it has also opened the door to a host of unique challenges when it comes to maintaining a positive and productive work environment.

However in order to create and maintain a happy team, you first need to understand why it is so important.

The Importance of Employee Happiness

Happy employees are more engaged, creative, and productive. Evidence has shown that there is a positive link between employee wellbeing and firm performance, meaning the happiness of your team can have a strong effect on the success of your company. Happy employees on average take 3.9 sick days per year compared to unhappy employees who on overage take 10.7.

It’s safe to say that monitoring employee happiness helps you identify any potential issues early and allows you to implement changes to create a more supportive work environment.

How You Can Monitor Employee Happiness Remotely

1. Regular Surveys and Feedback

Frequent surveys and feedback sessions are essential for gauging employee happiness. Use anonymous surveys to ask specific questions about job satisfaction, workload, work-life balance, and team collaboration. Encourage open and honest feedback to uncover areas for improvement.

There are various employee feedback platforms like Culture Amp, TINYpulse, and Officevibe that allow you to collect and analyse feedback to gauge employee happiness.

2. Utilise Collaboration and Communication Tools

Leverage collaboration and communication tools to monitor employee interactions and gauge their wellbeing. Platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams are great for building relationships through constant communication. This can help you to become more approachable and detect any potential issues.

3. Analyse Work Performance and Productivity

Review key performance indicators (KPIs) and productivity metrics to assess the effectiveness of your remote team. A decrease in performance could signal dissatisfaction or burnout, so monitoring these metrics closely can give you a good insight.

Tools like Tableau and Google Analytics can provide valuable insights.

4. 1:1 Meetings

Regular one-on-one check-ins between managers and employees provide an opportunity to discuss work-related concerns and personal wellbeing. Managers can use these meetings to offer support and address any issues.

5. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)

Offer access to Employee Assistance Programs that provide confidential counselling and resources for personal and professional challenges. This shows employees that you care about their wellbeing.

6. Pulse Surveys

Pulse surveys, often offered by engagement platforms like Qualtrics are a great way to conduct quick, regular check-ins to monitor employee satisfaction.

7. Team and Project Management Software

Project management software, such as Asana or Trello, can be used to monitor task progress, deadlines, and team collaboration. Employees may be showing signs of unhappiness through a drop in productivity or missing deadlines.

Monitoring employee happiness remotely is essential for fostering a positive and productive remote work environment.

By using surveys, communication tools, performance metrics, and support programs, you can gain valuable insights into your employees’ wellbeing allowing you to address concerns when they come along and promote a happy working environment.

Happy employees are more likely to stay engaged, creative, and motivated, leading to long-term success for both your employees and organisation.

Want more tips for creating a happy working environment? Check out my other blog posts at lilistebbings.com.