In right this moment’s aggressive job market, the place expert professionals are courted by a number of employers, retaining prime expertise is among the greatest challenges HR professionals face. However the secret to worker retention, motivation and enterprise profitability isn’t nearly pay – that’s a given – it’s about happiness.
As Lord Value’s latest analysis exhibits, happier staff are extra engaged, extra productive and, finally, extra loyal. They’re additionally extra doubtless to offer glorious customer support, resulting in greater buyer satisfaction and loyalty.
Swizzels, a family-run producer of much-loved candy manufacturers – together with Love Hearts, Drumsticks, Parma Violets and Squashies – has not too long ago applied key initiatives designed to take care of a tradition of wellbeing and happiness within the office.
On this article, we’ll discover how Swizzels HR has deployed low-cost programmes, personalised perks and micro-rewards to make happiness a strategic benefit. Following this exercise, we’ve got dramatically lowered worker turnover and raised retention. This has helped us rework tradition, efficiency, and backside strains within the course of. It might do the identical for your online business, too.
The happiness-profitability hyperlink: Why it issues greater than ever
It’s now not sufficient to supply aggressive salaries and anticipate loyalty. The continued conflict for expertise has shifted the facility dynamic within the office. Excessive performers now demand greater than only a payslip – they need goal, stability and good wellbeing. In different phrases, they wish to be joyful. Their employers ought to need this for them too, as a result of they may present noticeably greater productiveness, which in flip will improve profitability.
Key takeaway: A contented tradition is rooted in basic human values – so any effort to enhance it ought to give attention to fostering respect, recognition and real assist. Merely including bean baggage and ping-pong tables to the canteen is unlikely to maneuver the needle.
What actions drive worker happiness?
Swizzels has discovered that creating a cheerful, productive workforce doesn’t require an overhaul of your complete operation. Small, constant actions – rooted in emotional intelligence and human connection – are sometimes essentially the most impactful. Listed below are 4 areas the place HR could make a tangible distinction:
1. Create a tradition of recognition
Folks wish to really feel seen. Swizzels publicly acknowledges effort and excellence, particularly once they align with our said values of Ardour, Integrity, Teamwork, Respect & Positivity. We do that in conferences, inner newsletters or at any time when the state of affairs lends itself to take action.
Not solely is that this recognition the suitable factor to do, it additionally boosts morale and engagement. Simply keep in mind, velocity is of the essence, and any ‘nod’ to a person or workforce for a job effectively finished have to be inside days of the occasion. If an excessive amount of time passes, influence is misplaced.
At Swizzels, we complement this exercise with small, considerate tokens of appreciation. A easy ‘thanks’ for a job effectively finished is one factor, however we’ve got discovered that actions converse louder than phrases. As such, a free breakfast or personalised present field of goodies reinforces and amplifies any verbal recognition.
2. Welcome new starters with delight
First impressions depend. Onboarding is your likelihood to speak that your office values individuals. At Swizzels an organization director attends each induction to personally welcome new starters. If a senior supervisor or director in your organisation can spend a couple of minutes to greet a brand new starter in a heat and pleasant method, it can make them really feel extra comfy of their new atmosphere.
For longer-term assist, we advocate appointing the brand new rent with a buddy to indicate them the ropes, present mentorship and reply any questions they could not want to broach with their supervisor.
Final however not least, a small welcome pack additionally helps new hires really feel like a part of the workforce from day one. You possibly can embrace low-cost gadgets reminiscent of vouchers without spending a dime lunches, branded stationery, a private notice and a candy deal with present field.
Reward Containers of Swizzels Sweets like these proven listed below are given to New Starters as a part of a Welcome Pack
Facet notice: The College of Warwick carried out experiments the place contributors given free treats reminiscent of chocolate and drinks carried out higher in productiveness duties, exhibiting a couple of 12% productiveness increase amongst happier contributors.
3. Encourage seasonal pleasure and surprising moments of pleasure
Use the seasons to your benefit. We create a extra human, energised tradition by inserting strategic moments of pleasure into the day.
For instance, on a scorching summer season’s day, we’ll invite an ice cream van to come back on website and provide free treats for the day. At Christmas, we combine issues up a bit and ask senior managers and administrators to serve (with compulsory Christmas jumpers, in fact) Christmas dinner to the employees. On a separate day, we additionally invite the Swizzels pensioners to reconnect with their outdated mates and serve them a Christmas dinner too – and sure, we taxi them to and from their houses to allow them to get pleasure from a bit of tipple.
And for all 12 months spherical? Suppose past a visit to the native pub (not everybody drinks) and as an alternative go for a visit to the theatre, park picnic, or comparable. At Swizzels, we raffle gig tickets!
4. Perceive worker ache factors and eradicate them
One sensible method to improve worker wellbeing and reveal real care is to make entry to healthcare extra handy. Visiting a GP may be time-consuming, irritating and infrequently means time away from work – leading to each misplaced productiveness and added stress for workers.
By arranging for a GP to go to the office as soon as a month, Swizzels has considerably lowered this burden. Organisations with distant or hybrid employees might additionally contemplate providing personal GP providers instead. It’s a easy but strategic resolution that helps worker well being, minimises disruption to the working day and sends a transparent message: we worth our individuals and their time.
The enterprise case: Happier staff, stronger outcomes
By investing in happiness, we see improved enterprise outcomes, reminiscent of lowered attrition, greater productiveness, employees having larger affection for the corporate and an improved buyer expertise, as a result of engaged staff usually tend to go the additional mile.
Key takeaway: Our method has made a distinction. Between 2023 and Q2 2025, worker turnover has dropped by over 35% and our retention fee has risen by practically 7%. These figures converse for themselves: our dedication to supporting and investing in our individuals is really paying off.
Briefly, happiness shouldn’t be a fluffy ideally suited – it’s a strategic enterprise software.
A remaining thought: Begin small, assume huge
Remodeling your office tradition doesn’t require huge budgets or dramatic change. Typically, essentially the most highly effective strikes are the smallest – taking undistracted time to greet a brand new colleague or welcoming a brand new starter with a considerate present.
So the following time you’re excited about tips on how to increase morale, retain your finest expertise, or enhance your backside line, keep in mind what Swizzels has discovered… happiness may be your most undervalued asset.
Discover methods to spice up worker pleasure with inexpensive branded treats and welcome presents:
👉 Swizzels Work & Perks Bundles – Subscription reductions obtainable
