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By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by Steven J. Ellison, Esq. | Last reviewed September 23, 2022
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When you're starting a new business, creating a positive work environment is critical. It can help you attract and retain the best talent and build a strong company culture from the ground up. Research shows that employees are 13% more productive when happy.
So how can you create a positive work environment? Here are a few tips.
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One of the best ways to create a positive work environment is to make sure your hiring and onboarding processes are smooth. Though you may not be able to plan for every possible scenario, you should have a plan in place for the most common ones.
Make sure your training processes are smooth and easy to follow. Communicate with your employees throughout the process. This will help them feel welcome and included in your company, which is vital to your company's work culture. According to a 2014 poll, 21% of employees who left in the first six months said they departed because they weren't given the training they needed.
This initial training should include:
Additionally, following employment law and human resources best practices will help you create a positive work environment. Make sure not to ask for too much information during the hiring process. Avoid discrimination in your hiring decisions. This will help minimize any legal issues down the road.
Before starting a business, try to get everything ready beforehand. For example, make sure to obtain any necessary licenses and permits. This will help you avoid stress down the road and generally make it easier to manage your business, which is especially important in its early stages.
Essential things to have in order:
Whether you're an entrepreneur or a startup with financial backing, you benefit from having these things in order before you open your doors. When you do, it will be much easier to focus on other aspects of your business, including the creation of a positive work environment.
Another way to create a positive work environment is to have company goals and values that resonate with employees. This way, employees will know what the company stands for, and they'll be more motivated to play their part.
Make sure your goals and values are communicated effectively to all employees. You can do this through your business plan, company website, or employee handbook. You can also get employees involved in the goal-setting process. This will help them feel like they're a part of the company and that their voice matters.
Company goals may vary from the abstract to the concrete — whether that be striving to be the most innovative company within your field, or even aiming to earn a certain customer service rating.
In addition, values can be just as flexible. Ultimately, it comes down to evaluating what your business stands for and what kind of employees you want to hire. Different values may include creativity, hard work, and customer satisfaction.
When employees know what the company stands for, they're more likely to be engaged and productive. And they'll be more likely to stay with the company in the long run.
One of the most important things you can do to create a positive work environment is to support your employees. This includes offering them helpful resources for their mental health and helping them maintain a healthy work-life balance.
When it comes to mental health, it's important to make sure that employees feel comfortable talking about any issues they're facing. You can do this by connecting employees to different staff members who have experience with different mental health issues, including such as HR employees or supervisors. Additionally, you should consider providing employees access to resources like counseling or therapy.
When it comes to work-life balance, it's beneficial to be flexible regarding your employees' schedules. This means allowing them to take time off when they need it, whether for a doctor's appointment or to take care of a family emergency. It also requires recognizing that vacation emails and "workcations" often harm employees and company culture. Tell employees that it's okay to unplug from their work when they need to. And mean it.
Other ways to support your employees include:
By supporting your employees, you help improve their productivity and create a positive work environment.
There are many things you can do to create a positive work environment for your employees. Setting clear company goals and values, supporting their mental health, and allowing for flexible schedules improve employee morale and productivity. In turn, this will help your business grow and succeed.
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Contact a qualified business attorney to help you navigate the process of starting a business.
We have a DIY option you can use to save time and stress.We help you:
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