Scientific evidence that a positive work environment is more productive

A stressful work environment is not good for the workers or even for the company. Studies prove the benefits of a positive and peaceful environment

Don't store avocado like this: it's dangerous

Unfortunately, there are still many companies whose policy focuses on a high-pressure work environment for employees. In this way we are convinced of guaranteeing greater productivity and consequently financial success. Instead, several researches show the exact opposite: it is a serene and positive working environment to make people work better.

All of us, in different work experiences, may have noticed that when we are surrounded by a positive work environment, we have a team that supports us and we do not feel always breathless, we have the opportunity to give our best. ourselves and we “give” more.

Unfortunately, however, especially in large companies, the idea that putting pressure on workers is a system to increase their productivity is hard to die and this despite the fact that for some time there has been a lot of research showing that a "heavy" environment, where there is a strong stress level, it is precisely detrimental to productivity.

Among other things, it is not considered that stress at work, as estimated by the American Psychological Association, indirectly causes companies to lose a lot of earnings given that employees are absent more often or are even victims of injuries (in the United States from 60% 80% of accidents at work are attributed to stress).

Stress in the workplace has been linked to several Health problems ranging from metabolic syndrome to cardiovascular disease up to early mortality.

A large-scale study of more than 3.000 employees by Anna Nyberg of the Karolinska Institute showed a strong link between leadership behavior and heart disease in employees. Basically, bosses who put a lot of stress on their employees damage their cardiovascular system.

But that's not all, a negative work environment based on stress, pressure and fear can guarantee commitment (and sometimes even excitement) for some time, but in the long term it leads to disengagement which is expensive. In the Queens School of Business and Gallup Organization studies, disengaged workers had 37% more absenteeism, 49% more accidents, and 60% more errors and defects.

Then there is also another cost which is the lack of loyalty. Research shows that workplace stress leads to an almost 50% increase in voluntary turnover. People enter the job market, refuse promotions or quit. And the costs associated with new recruitments, training, etc. they are meaningful to companies.

The benefits of a positive work environment and how to create it

In summary, according to what has been discovered by many researches, a positive work environment guarantees more success over time because it increases positive emotions and well-being. This, in turn, improves people's relationships with each other and amplifies their skills and creativity.

A healthy environment also protects against negative experiences such as stress, thereby improving employees' ability to recover from challenges and difficulties while strengthening their health. And it attracts employees, making them more loyal to the leader and organization they're a part of, as well as bringing out their best strengths.

When companies develop a positive and virtuous environment, they achieve significantly higher levels of organizational effectiveness, better financial performance, customer satisfaction, productivity and employee engagement.

Creating a positive and peaceful environment for your work team is based on some fundamental principles. Some research has shown some key factors to succeed in this venture:

Caring, caring and sharing responsibilities with colleagues as if they were friends
Provide mutual support and be kind when others are having a hard time
Avoid blame and forgive mistakes
Inspire each other in work
Emphasize the significance of each one's work
Treat each other with respect, gratitude, trust and integrity

The leaders then have an extra responsibility and should: