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

Flexi time and subsidised food makes me really happy in my current job. I'd love some more incentives though, doesn't have to be money but just something to say well done for exceptional work.

Trust, flexibility, open and honest communication, decent tea/coffee making facilities, working technology - but most of all, lovely colleagues and an ever-replenished big box of chocolate biscuits!

Flexibility, trust and happy people to work with

Free fruit, coffee and tea.

Personally flexible working hours and praise / appreciation for a job well done are the most important things for me.

Flexible working hours, not being micromanaged and drinks trolley Fridays!

All of the above. Plus clean and fresh bathrooms with luxury/herbal/aromatherapy type toiletries to keep everyone smelling nice.

I work for myself at home and I'd be a lot happier if my husband and children respected what I did. Most of the time I'm either working upstairs and ww3 is occurring downstairs, or I'm trying to work downstairs with 1 or 2 small children on my lap and the others coming to me instead of my husband.

Management that don't take out their stresses on hardworking, dedicated staff.

Management who listen to ideas and concerns from staff.

Management who don't judge their hardworking and trustworthy staff by their own dodgy standards.

Appreciation for all the 'over and above' stuff the staff do, as well as performing their contractual duties to a high and professional manner.

Flexibility for school time meetings for annual reviews/Christmas performances etc.

A smile every now and again .

treating staff with respect, and appreciating and thanking them for the work they do . And being willing to muck in and get jobs done that are not so great - not just leaving them for the most junior person.

Value and investment in staff. As an employment lawyer I know this is key as I've seen many instances where relationships have broken down. Most important is listen to staff, potentially have some kind of staff forum so views can be heard anonymously.

I agree with Duchesse having worked as an employee before being valued is really important, being realistic with timescales when asking someone else to do something for you & I would add being realistic about what is being asked - is it achievable or is aspirational?

Working as volunteer before that I really liked the value that was placed on my input & that people were much more likely to tell you when you were doing a good job - not just pull you on the tougher aspects.

Now as a freelancer I am learning to be less critical of myself and become the boss I would have liked. What I miss most about a previous job is the support of a work team day to day. I used to share an office with a brilliant work colleague who was incredibly supportive (& a good laugh)

One thing that really annoyed me about agency work in retail/beauty was having to be in work half an hour early/stay late to go through security checks as you only got paid for the time 'on the floor'.

Ultimately a respectful, supportive and challenging atmosphere is what I would look for if going for a employed post again.

Tonnes of money would be a bonus

Having access to tea and coffee certainly helps the atmosphere. Also if everyone is friendly and doesn't gossip about each other! Can't stand a gossip.

Great communication within the business. Ensuring people are informed or at least know where to find information makes for a great working environment. People feel less frustrated when they know where to go or where to look when they need an answer. Also, encourage helpfulness among your staff and going above and beyond for others. There is nothing that makes me happier than when someone is helpful and responds quickly to questions and emails.

Flexible hours, feeling valued, trusted, managed well and listened to. Being able to continuously develop, good training and decent tea bags and at least a living wage.

My workplace is very unhappy at the moment. Needless beurocacray from my boss is this issue. I think having useful technology and the right amount of support staff would also be immensely helpful and would improve the atmosphere no end.

Flexibility, allowing communication between staff and listening to staff when they point out a new database is going to make everything go tits up and it bloody does.

Our workplace is miserable these days. We have none of the above.

Can I add, flexibilty for all staff. We're in a wretched situation where management get to work from home when they need to. Admin staff aren't allowed. It's very them and us.

Flexibility.
Being allowed to start work 10 minutes later, and leave 5 minutes earlier made my commute nearly 2 hours shorter because of how the trains lined up.

My line manager successfully fought on my behalf to allow me to do so, even though it was "unprecedented" and not usually allowed.

Definately one where your colleagues are always looking to help each other out and not being negative or destructive in picking faults or complaining. Respect and trust is as equally important in the workplace as it is at home.

Small things:
Free tea & coffee
Able to personalise desk / PC / office
Able to listen to the radio whilst working
Able to chat to colleagues (about non work stuff)
Able to go to the loo / for a break / for lunch when we want

On a bigger scale:
Flexible working hours
Consideration around work life balance / child care
Good benefits inc holidays, pension, health scheme
Equality
Open communication

no gossiping!!!

Respect and understanding of flexible working - which can only happen if you employ the right people.

Basically - let people work from home, or work different hours, on the understanding that they are not going to take the piss and will actually be WORKING from home.

For me, in no particular order...

• flexibility, and not just since I had children
• colleagues I not only respect, but I LIKE! Afterall I spend more time with them than my good friends.
• a salary that reflects my efforts
• a large workload, there is nothing worse than being bored because you don't have enough to do. I would rather be rushed of my feet than filling time.
• lack of bureaucracy. If I want to speak to someone directly about an issue I will. If I have to go through 3 levels of line management first then I might as well join the army.
• career opportunities. I want to know my skills are recognised and deemed worthy of development.
• a pleasant physical environment throughout including the loos and the kitchen.

I think knowing that there is progression in your role, in financial terms and also job title. If you have been doing a job for a long time, it is sole destroying to have the same role title and salary. Experience should be rewarded. It keeps motivation and respect amongst colleagues.