What do you think makes a happy working environment? Share your views with Xero and you could win a £100 Apple voucher. NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

Xero, an app for small businesses that makes managing finances easy, wants to know what you think makes a happy working environment.

If you run a business – or if you've ever thought about doing so – what would you do to make it happy? What does your employer do that makes you happy in the workplace? And if you're not working at the moment, what do you think would make you happy at work now?

Maybe it's flexible working hours, the best technology, great relationships with your work mates or the freedom to get creative.

Here is what they say: "At Xero, we believe a happy business is a beautiful thing. So we've launched the Business of Happiness project to help define what makes a business happy, championing those who are doing it well and supporting those who need a helping hand."

Please share your thoughts on this thread. Every MNer who posts a comment will be entered into a prize draw, where one MNer will win a £100 Apple voucher, which can be used at an Apple Retail Store or in the Apple Online Store.

Find out more about Xero's Business of Happiness campaign here.

Standard Insight T&Cs apply. Note, anon comments may be used by Xero on their website and on social media.

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

Flexible hours, having fun and relaxation massages.

Being treated like an adult would be a start
flexibility and a good team around you i like to get to work do the job then go home. xx

feeling valued by all, not being undermined and feeling you can trust colleagues

Respect, feeling valued, being trusted and supported to get on with the job in hand, give and take so if you put in extra hours when needed, clawing back those hours when its quiet. Not just a clock watching bum on a seat when your mind is actually elsewhere.

For the Employer to remember the reasons they employed the employee and for the employee to remember the reasons they applied for the job. Mutual Respect & Valuation. Employers generally have more than one employee to consider whereby employees have only their relationship with the employer to consider. Being listened to and being able to listen. Feeling valued and respected will make the working environment a pleasant place for both employer and employee.

Treat everyone fairly and with respect. Let's not assume everyone wants to burn the midnight oil working, so it's vital organisation respect peoples work/life balance.

Empowerment at work & being shown that my contribution is valued, also working as part of a good team that make time to communicate effectively.

Simply nice, friendly people...

Flexible work agreements, strong management and good communication

Having hard work recognised and rewarded but being given a helping hand when in need. Briefings and team building to encourage communication with colleagues. Opportunities both in and out of work to get to know colleagues to build a better working relationship. Flexibility and understanding particularly for those who work with families or have out of work pressures. Oh... and a 'cake Friday' rota!

It has to be flexibility and appreciation.

Things like good manners both upwards and downwards, opinions being sought and respected, good ideas being publicly acknowledged.

Tea, Coffee, biscuits and a good sense of humour!!

Scrap working to targets and actually focus on being customer friendly/orientated and then we will see fewer organisations ripping off customers and giving terrible service.People are people not a 5 minute slot to be fitted in somewhere !

Trusting me to get on with my job.
Flexible working.

Good colleagues, both equals and bosses (and presumably people you manage if you do - I don't). Flexibility.

respect for one another is a biggie. A bully free zone and a hard working team!

Flexible working hours.

For me it is a flexible working environment where others are happy to help and have respect for one another. Otherwise you just want to go in do your job and leave as quickly as possible.

I think a respect for someones home life as well as work life is important, so that people don't feel that they have to stay late to impress their superiors. Its also important to feel valued, to have nice approachable colleagues and to feel like you can progress if you want to.

Forgot to mention, good facilities are important as it shows you care about your staff. I worked for a law firm in London and they had a gym, swimming pool, 2 coffee bars, a deli, a lovely canteen with more choice than you could want in terms of food, a dry cleaners, a doctors surgery and a hairdressers in house, it was fab and I loved working there.

Respect and feeling valued

A good Manager can make all the difference between a happy and an unhappy working environment. My current manager is brilliant but I've had my fair share of poor ones too which only add to the stress and reduce moral.

respect from your colleagues and appreciation for what you do

I just want to be valued and listened too.

Working as a team and always working to the best you can :)