With the increasing competition for qualified professionals, offering a good salary is no longer enough to attract and retain talent. Happiness in the workplace has become a strategic differentiator, with direct impacts on productivity, creativity, and financial results of companies.
Studies indicate that happy employees are more productive. According to Harvard Business Review, satisfied employees can show an increase of up to 30% in productivity. In areas such as sales, these professionals can achieve results 37% higher. A positive environment reduces stress levels, increases overall satisfaction, and decreases employee turnover, resulting in significant savings in hiring and training processes.
For Carla Martins, vice-president of SERAC, a leading hub of corporate solutions in the areas of accounting, legal, educational, and technology, one of the major challenges for organizations is ensuring that employees are happy not only because of financial gains but also because of the experiences and values provided by the company. "What do you do in your organization to ensure that people stay there without it being for the salary? The answer to this question should be at the core of any Human Resources strategic planning," he states.
Strategies that go beyond salary
For Carla Martins, investing in employee well-being should be part of a broad corporate strategy, where leaders play an essential role. "Creating an environment that values and motivates the team is essential. This includes recognizing achievements and providing conditions that promote work-life balance," he/she/they assess.
The SERAC vice-president emphasizes that focusing on employee happiness is not just an HR practice, but a strategic decision. "Companies that prioritize their teams reap the benefits in the form of greater engagement, reduced operational costs, and better long-term financial results," he says.
Carla acredita que um ambiente acolhedor e inspirador cria um ciclo positivo, no qual os colaboradores retribuem com maior dedicação e inovação. “Ao adotar uma abordagem proativa e focada no bem-estar, as empresas não apenas retêm talentos valiosos, mas também criam uma cultura organizacional forte, capaz de enfrentar os desafios de um mercado em constante evolução”, finaliza.
Check out the strategies suggested by Carla Martins for a company to invest in corporate happiness:
- Reconhecimento de conquistas: Celebrar o sucesso é essencial. “No SERAC, valorizamos quem alcança metas e faz entregas importantes. Já distribuímos prêmios como viagens, dinheiro e até sorteamos um carro. Essas ações criam um ambiente estimulante e recompensador”, destaca Carla.
- Promoting work-life balance: Flexibility at work, such as adaptable schedules, helps meet employees’ needs.
- Professional development programs: Investing in training, courses and growth opportunities demonstrates a commitment to the future of employees.
- Well-being benefits: Mental health plans, psychological support and initiatives that promote physical and emotional health are increasingly valued.
- Feedback and communication culture: Listening to employees regularly and implementing improvements based on what is shared strengthens the sense of belonging.
