Good rapport, comfortable settings, and close coordination is a great motivational force for better work dealings. A strong relationship between co-workers and employer-employee is a necessity to promote organizational culture. Improving workplace relations is a top priority of employers’ nowadays so that it can encourage harmony and productivity.
It has become imperative to foster trust in the workplace so that everyone can come up and speak frankly about any discomforts. According to recent survey relations in a workplace have a direct impact on the workings of its employees. Happier the place the better its work is. That is why it has become important to improve workplace relations.
Table of Contents
10 Ways To Improve Workplace Relations
1) Communication
Effective communication begets healthy workplace relations. It is the key to getting the work done successfully in the workplace. The people who can communicate openly and with confidence have a better chance of advancement than the people who remain silent. Communication is a skill that needs to be sharpened in order to advance further in life.
One sure way to improve workplace relations is by encouraging everyone to communicate with each other. Open communication is a necessity as it avoids any misunderstandings between co-workers. Verbal communication is as important as communication via messaging, phone and emails so make sure that your organization’s communication channels and tools are up to the mark and open.
2) Develop good listening skills
Speaking every time is not necessary. If you want to improve workplace relations then start listening to others. Every worker wants to be heard so give him the opportunity to speak. Let him share his thoughts, viewpoint, and opinion. It will improve workplace relations and the ability to listen will help you in dealing with conflicting situations very easily. Making every employee comfortable is your deal and you will emerge victorious in your zeal if you have the temperament to listen and work accordingly.
3) Offer opportunities for career development
Nobody wants to rot in the same position year after year. Professional growth is as important as personal growth. When a company starts providing opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge it improves workplace relations. This is a sure sign that an employer is invested in his employee’s growth and hence is creating opportunities that will encourage his overall development. These prospects can be in the form of training or participation in events and conferences. Let the seniors or managers work with their subordinates to help them in achieving career goals.
4) Acknowledgement and rewards
Technical proficiency needs to be recognized, acknowledged and rewarded. A paycheck is an employees’ right so there is nothing new to it. It is not an incentive to work that extra mile. In order to improve workplace relations, you can encourage an atmosphere where everyone will be energized to work better.
This will only happen when an employee knows that his additional effort is being appreciated. Acknowledge his work in the open podium and on a personal basis. Reward him with incentives like a bonus, monetary benefit, gifts or simply a certificate of acknowledgement. You can select him for the employee of the month award as this will motivate him along with others to work much better to achieve it once again.
5) Share your vision
It is your vision and your company but is your employee aware of it. Does he feel emotionally connected to either the vision or the company or his employer? This can happen only when you share your ideas with your employees. Get up and do so now to make everyone an integral part of the organization.
Empower your employees and make them comfortable in their settings to improve workplace relations and conditions. This will persuade every member of the organization to work hand-in-hand so that the company can achieve better results. Collaborative relationships will result in a stronger and improved workplace.
6) Respect other people’s time and privacy
It is important that you respect your employees’ privacy by not keeping a continuous watch over him. One way to improve workplace relations is by giving him space so that he can work without any hammering over his head. Allot him the work and give him the deadline and now let him work according to his own timetable and schedule.
There is no doubt that he will work at a better and faster pace with great results. Until and unless it is an emergency no one likes his boss hovering over him. They feel pressured and this reflects badly as the work is in any case compromised. Conduct any talks or meetings at the convenience of both parties. It is not good manners nor is included in work ethics to disturb anyone when he is busy in a project be it the employer or the employee.
7) Stay away from office gossip
If you want to improve workplace relations then the first thing you do is to put a stop to office gossip. Are you aware that it is very harmful and has a negative impact on the mindset and workings of every worker? Gossip is unavoidable but make sure to let everyone know that any direct involvement will be dealt with harshly.
Whispering things about others will not be expected as part of work culture and will land the employee in dire circumstances. If you see an employee becoming the target of office gossip go and talk to him directly so that you can help him to clear the doubts. Your employee must have the confidence to approach you if he is mentally harassed because of any gossip or slandering.
8) Allow employees to recharge
If you are not recharging your mobile device periodically will it work? So is the case with human beings. Our mind, as well as body, gets tired after working continuously on a project. It needs a bit of both physical and mental relief. Give your employee the authority to decide when they are in dire need of a break.
Working diligently is exhausting and can take a toll on the health of an individual. Only he knows at what point his body or mind is going to shut down. Encourage him to take a breather. Let him go for a tea/coffee break or just let him be himself for half an hour. You can encourage your employees to make use of holidays due to them and go on vacations to rejuvenate and recuperate from the work pressure. Take a personal day off and relax with friends and family, or go someplace for a weekend gateway or even a vacation.
9) Check in with employees on a regular basis
It is necessary that you have a firm hold over your employees and are keeping a vigilant eye on their workings and dealings. Periodic check-ins is a must to improve workplace relations.
Organize meetings either weekly, fortnightly or at least once in a month and go through their projects to know about the work progress. In the case of important projects or deadlines, you can ask for personal meetings also. Talking about organization, tasks, projects and themselves and any of their problems will create a better and open professional relationship.
10) Encourage mingling
Mingling with other employees and seniors is a great way to create a balance between the personal and professional relationship. Encourage mingling so that they can know about each other and start feeling comfortable.
It is an important part of building a relationship because if you do not mingle how will you know about the other person and decide whether he is suitable for your friendship or not. Encourage individuals to go as teams in conferences and events to facilitate harmony and open communication amongst each other. Organize events on weekends or once/twice a month so that everyone can relax over a drink and talk informally.
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