How Artwork Can Increase Your Productivity

A little art in your workplace can help you come up with new ideas, surpass your goals, and even give you a deeper connection to the company as a whole.

You can also benefit from artwork in your workspace by the following points:

·         Boosts creativity

You can be inspired by art if you surround yourself with it. Rather than forcing creativity with inspirational slogans or clichés, genuinely impressive artworks and photography can naturally encourage it.

Talking points, discussion starters, and innovative thinking are stimulated by inspiring, interesting art.

·         It helps you refocus

The modern work curse is staring at a screen all day. Long-term, looking away and re-focusing reduces fatigue, headaches, and eye strain.

You'll encourage people to look around them and to take a break from their screen when you change what's on the walls or displayed in your office regularly.

·         It's a nice distraction

In addition to providing our minds with a distraction from the task at hand, art can also provide our brains with some leisure time. Daydreamers' brains are extremely active when they are daydreaming, performing a wide range of mental tasks.

We do not slow down at all, even when we think we are switched off. Rather, they replenish mental and physical energy, which, in turn, increases productivity, strengthens attention, solidifies memories, and encourages creativity - all attributes vital to the world of work.

To remain competitive, drive growth, and maintain an engaged and productive workforce, it has never been more important to foster innovation- and fresh-thinking culture.

If you're not considering artwork for your budget next year, perhaps it's time to reconsider. Inspired workspaces help professionals deliver inspiring performances. You will create an environment that is conducive to the generation of ideas and better planning, which in turn will benefit both your staff and your business.

The Right Way to Fire an Employee

You're filled with excitement when you're in a new relationship, making plans for the future together. Breakup is probably the furthest thing from your mind. Similarly, when you hire an employee, you are excited to start working with them; you don't think you might fire them later. However, it may happen.

Despite your best efforts to improve, there's one employee on your team who simply cannot meet expectations - and it's left you scrambling to figure out how to fire them.

I understand your pain. Furnishing someone with a notice is never an enjoyable experience, making it one of the most dreaded tasks for most managers.

When you're in charge, it's your responsibility to ensure that your team maintains high-performance levels. No matter how many attempts you make to correct the employee's behavior, it's time to let them go if they continue to break rules or disregard expectations.

How can you accomplish this without flipped tables, tantrums, or tears?

• Create a transition plan

Be deliberate about the date and time you choose for termination. Although experts disagree on when to fire someone, all acknowledge that having a good business reason for your choice of time and day is paramount.

• Keep company interests in mind no matter what you decide

You may have tolerated less-than-stellar performance for months in hopes it would improve. Having come to the end, plan the transition so that you cause the least amount of damage to the company and your colleagues.

• Ensure that an internal candidate is included in the succession plan

If you want to terminate, wait until you have a replacement in place before terminating. Sending some subtle signals to clients and customers that there will be a staffing change may be in your best interests.

Maintaining Peace With Co-Workers

A workplace is a melting pot of cultures, beliefs, religions, nationalities, and sexual orientations. It is therefore essential that each individual is considerate of one another.

A co-worker can be affected by any offending remarks or misbehavior in many different ways. Consequently, business owners and managers need to make extra efforts to maintain a peaceful workplace.

Disputes and misunderstandings can occur anywhere, even at home and at work. Different perspectives can create tension among team members, and if the leaders fail to resolve disputes, there could be chaos at work. To maintain peace and order in a toxic environment, everyone needs to do their part.

The following are some practical ways to ensure that leaders and employees work together in unity and harmony:

·         Avoid taboo topics

Don't bring up taboo subjects unless you know someone or a group really well. You don't know what people's lives entail or do not entail, or what may upset, offend or anger them. It's not okay to assume, especially at work, that your opinion is unanimous.

·         Calmly express yourself

People who are loud, impolite, and stressed at work may cause you to react and behave accordingly. For example, you may get tense and raise your voice.

·         Don't repeat past mistakes

Be aware if you have seen someone making an offensive comment or if you have done so yourself in the past. However, even if it's an honest mistake, be aware that some people in the office may be offended by your comments.

·         Greet your co-workers

When you say good morning with a smile, congratulate colleagues and bosses on their birthday, and thank them for their good work, you contribute to better relationships and less stress at work.

·         Don't be rude

Treat people politely at all times. The result of being rude or inconsiderate will be a similar response, which will aggravate the situation.

Importance of Employee Appreciation

When do you let your employees know how much you appreciate their efforts? When someone recognizes our efforts, we all feel warm and appreciated. The approval we receive makes us feel good and motivates us to work harder. For this reason, it is important to show that you appreciate your employees.

Oftentimes, we neglect showing employee appreciation when we are busy. Taking the time to show your employees that you appreciate what they do is essential in the workplace, and you need to go out of your way to do so consistently. Without them, what would you do?

Job satisfaction, workplace happiness, and employee morale are directly linked to employee appreciation. It also boosts motivation, increases engagement, fosters loyalty, and increases productivity when you show your employees that you care.

Any business would benefit from these factors. The best part of showing your employees you appreciate their hard work is that it takes little effort, costs very little, and doesn't require much time on your part.

Leading by example in the workplace is a great way to show appreciation. Here are a few examples:

• Productivity is improved: When employees know they are appreciated and recognised for their hard work, they feel valued. They are motivated to keep working hard and improve their performance.

• Higher morale at work: When you show appreciation to an employee, it ripples throughout the company. When employees feel appreciated, they are more likely to show appreciation to their coworkers and other team members.

• Employees are more engaged: The act of showing appreciation at work increases employee engagement and dedication, as well as productivity.

• Loyalty can be built: 66% of employees leave a job because they are not appreciated, according to the Robert Half study.

How To Ask For A Leave

It can be stressful to ask for a leave of absence from work, whether it is for a medical procedure, to grieve a loss, or to take maternity leave.

You can apply for a leave of absence from work by following these steps:

·         Find out about your company's policy regarding time off and pay, as well as your legal rights.

·         Don't forget to submit your request in writing or in person.

·         Allow your employer sufficient time to consider your leave of absence request.

·         During your absence, develop a plan with your boss to cover your pending tasks.

If you know what the leave request process is, ask your boss for a few minutes to discuss the matter. Then submit a formal request in writing. Your manager should be informed that you would like to utilize your legal right to time off.

Discuss the effects of your absence on the productivity of your department with your boss. Then you and your boss can come up with a plan that allows you to take time off when it is convenient for you and find a suitable substitute.

Explain why you need to take such short notice leave in the case of an emergency and apologize for the inconvenience. Consider training your replacement and remaining available during the time away.

If you are pregnant, serving in the military, on family military leave, ill in the family, or for another personal reason, you may have the right to take time off from work.

Don't request a leave of absence if it will put your manager and co-workers in a stressful situation, unless your request is related to an emergency, such as a death in the family. Before leaving on leave, try to complete important projects ahead of time or, at the very least, reach an appropriate stopping point.