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

A team that is willing to help each other out and respect one and other brings good moral. A biscuit tin filled to the brim weekly is also a big help!

Definitely the understanding that family comes first I.e. family emergency, sick child etc. and not being made to feel guilt that you have children or that you are not pulling your weight (within reason). Also following on from that, flexibility, I.e. working time back if you have to have time off.
And very importantly, a great supportive friendly working environment without competition between colleagues!

Communication
Respect
Flexibility within a generally well-defined structure
A sensible hierarchy avoiding being top heavy with too many directors/managers
An HR department who facilitate rather than hinder good working practices

But most important of all is the people you choose to employ. Colleagues can make or break a workplace.

Colleagues that respect each other and to feel valued for yourself and the work you do - if these basics arent there then the rest will be built on poor foundations.

I am able to work from home yet still have a supportive manager and colleagues. My manager really appreciates the work I do and tells me so regularly - this keeps me motivated

Relaxed working atmosphere, a no-blame culture where everyone works as a team, everyone understands the common goal and we work hard and sometimes play hard together.

Good colleagues

Great management, happy face and yes can do kind of attitude from all regardless of position with in the company. At the end of the date people make businesses. Positive hard working people = good successful businesses and negative lazy people = poor unprofitable businesses.

A culture that does not tolerate bullying and maybe an office that incorporates standing desks.

Flexible working patterns and working from home help enormously with work/life balance.

The best jobs I've had is where the people are open and friendly. The sort you can have a relax and have a chat and a laugh with in breaks. I found that I had more drive and focus in this sort of environment. Team spirit I guess.

A good culture where communication starts from the top down and therefore spreads within the business. It is important to have benefits for employees, they do not have to be high in monetary value necessarily, staff appreciate the little things - tea/coffee available, ice lolly's in summer, ability to go to take time out to go to doctors/dentists...

Flexible working is really important for my organisation. Over 50 members of staff all work flexible hours and can work from home too and it works really well. Because the flexibility is universal there is no awkwardness or resentment about who works when, and individuals appreciate being trusted to just get the job done. Most of the workforce are women for whom it is a lifesaver to be able to manage school runs, sick kids and assemblies without worrying that your professionalism will be questioned.

Autonomy, and not having to have rubbish, endless meetings about things like making up a 'strapline', etc.

Also, not having to work with the kind of people who want other people to spend hours filling out applications for e&d awards, for themselves. That would be good.

Also, an environment that is not sexist (which it is, despite the above mentioned e&d awards).

Joandmike, erm, I think 'staff' do appreciate monetary rewards, actually, as opposed to, for example, ice lollies. Very patronising attitude.

Regular breaks, teamwork, being respected and having a good relationship with both management and team members.

light, being treated with respect and having open communication

A mixture of young and older people

People that actually get along and mediation sessions for those that don't, you need a manager that can manage issues like this when they crop up or it makes it awful for the other people in the crossfire. I worked in a small group of 5 managers including myself, 2 of these managers had a falling out so much so that it took 2 years to sort out and resulted in one of them being sacked. I would never want to go through that again. The situation should have been sorted at the very start and should never have gone that far

being valued, flexible working and enjoying your job

You spend more time with your colleagues than anyone else, so it is really important you have friends amongst them. For me, everything else comes secondary to that.

A Place where workloads are realistic but also where open feedback is given and the suggestions on how to conduct it next time; instead of blame/silence

communication

well, of course, the people are the most important thing.
but I really appreciate bright, airy spaces. lots of natural lights, well ventilated preferably without oppressive central heating.
clean lines and no clutter!

Having colleagues who are all teamplayers helps

Decent colleagues who you can have a laugh with.