Workplace violence – not workplace kindness gets all the news headlines and is a growing concern for employers and employees nationwide according to OSHA.
We’ve all heard the Golden Rule since we were old enough to play in the sandbox.
Treat others the way you would like to be treated.
Random Acts of Workplace Kindness
Definition of kindness
1. a kind deed : favor <They did me a great kindness.>
2. the quality or state of being kind <treating people with kindness and respect>b archaic : affection
In today’s society and in the workplace, as cliché as it may sound, there are many ways to do as our parents taught us. Treat others with the same kindness and compassion that we wish to be treated with.
While kindness is inherent, it is also an intentional act. For example, have you ever been in the drive-through line at Starbucks to buy your morning coffee only to reach the window to pay and the barista says it’s paid for? What a feeling! It makes you feel good and inspires you to pay it forward to someone else. However, had you not been the recipient of such kindness, how likely would you be to initiate that on your own? And, kindness is contagious.
Since most of us spend a majority of our waking hours at work, this article focuses on 4 specific ways to practice Random Acts of Workplace Kindness. Since every environment is different, feel free to research your own ideas or adjust these to fit your organization.
-
Workplace Kindness: Thank You or Positivity Notes
I’ll admit, thank you notes are one of our favorite items. Anytime I make a trip to the store, my first stop is the card aisle. Even if thank you notes may not be your thing, try a blank card to write positive notes to your co-workers as a reminder that they are all awesome and deserve to be appreciated. Of course, you may use thank you notes for anything big or small that you want to recognize someone for. Sometimes it is the little things that mean the most.
-
Workplace Kindness: Community Involvement
Giving back is a great way to involve your whole team in a Random Act of Kindness. Collect items for donations to the local food bank, volunteer at a local homeless shelter, collect food for the humane society, or raise money for a local non-profit.
-
Workplace Kindness: Be a Good Neighbor
If you work close to another business, bake brownies or cupcakes or deliver an afternoon treat such as fresh fruit. But, if you work for a larger company, your team could do this for other departments in the organization.
-
Workplace Kindness: Lucky Penny Day
Did you know that May 23 is Lucky Penny Day? On May 23, place a lucky penny (heads-up) in various places for others to find. Kindness and good luck are sure to brighten someone’s day. And here’s a better idea. Don’t wait for May 23. Practice this simple workplace kindness when you go to work next Monday.
Workplace kindness leads to employee satisfaction and engagement
Big or small, Random Acts of Workplace Kindness can be the bright spot in someone’s day!
“Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” – Scott Adams
Regardless of the tools you use, workforce kindness leads to engaged, cooperative and productive workers. Engaged employees generate 27% higher profits, 37% higher sales and 50% higher customer loyalty levels.
So call Flexicrew Technical Services if your organization wants to discuss motivation and engagement strategies for your workforce productivity.