Employees that are relaxed and happy in their working environment tend to work harder and are more solid in their performance. Obviously as a manager it is not your responsibility to fulfil every wish and dream of the employee in order to achieve this. It is worth remembering that happiness is often comparative. An employee who has worked in a very negative environment will benefit from a few simple things you can do as a manager to make a positive space.

As a manager it is necessary to be transparent as possible. Employees will respect that some things cannot be discussed due to their confidential business nature. It is however important to ensure that everything else is discussed and you appear open with your staff. People do not like surprises and if some sort of change is going to happen then include the staff in discussions on the reasons for the change and possible solutions. Staff who are included in discussions will feel respected and that they have an active participation in decisions surrounding their working life.

While being as transparent as possible, attempt to be as honest as possible. People are aware that you cannot always make decisions that make them happy, but will respect your honesty about why a decision was made. If you are seen as a manager who is dishonest then the staff will talk amongst themselves and may rally together against you. I once worked in an office where the staff would regularly go out to lunch together and talk about their irritations with the manager. Their dislike for his behaviour unified them in hatred, but did not induce them to increase their performance. This led to a negative office which felt very oppressive since it was fuelled more by active dislike than teamwork. It is particularly important to create a positive environment when negative people are present in it. Sarcastic and depressive people do tend to suck in everyone around them thus spreading the misery. As a manager it is your responsibility to ensure that staff can see that these people are not justified in their assessment.

At all costs avoid favouritism and confidantes from within the people you manage. If one person is seen to be a favourite and this is not based on merit then this will cause resentment for the manager and that person. Teamwork is important when creating a positive environment and if some team members are resented or not trusted then it is counter-productive. It is also the case that employees will recognise that your decisions about promotions and work etc. are not based on performance and they will have no incentive to work harder for you. Rewards such as promotions, responsibilities and particularly coveted items of work should be given to staff that merit the responsibility. If there is an employee who you regularly confide in, similar resentment will ensue since you are not managing people with equality.

The surroundings in which people work are very important. Offices that tend to have clients coming in regularly are usually decorated to a higher standard to give a good impression. Do not underestimate the benefits of creating a positive physical environment for your staff after all it is likely they are spending at least thirty seven hours there a week. If they dread coming in then you will not enjoy their best performance. Make sure that all staff are comfortable at their desks. A few plants and pictures can generate an appealing area to work in.

The key to avoiding a negative working environment is to ensure that staff are aware that you are also managing their own needs as well as the needs of the company as a whole. Hold regular reviews which emphasise the positive achievements and adopt a congratulatory and encouraging stance towards the work. When a staff member does something right, make sure that they and everyone else knows it. If the leader of the working environment is positive then this will filter through to staff as people feel encouraged and valued. Show that you care about them as people and take a personal interest in their comfort. Ensure that they take regular breaks for example and if possible provide a place for this to happen. With these simple steps a positive working environment can ensure that happy staff are working hard and productivity will increase.