Your employees get along with one another, but are they friends?
If so, it can mean good things for your business. When employees form friendships with coworkers, it can lead to increased engagement, which means higher employee satisfaction and productivity. And, when employees are happier and more engaged at work, you’ll likely see less turnover.
If you manage your pharmacy with the mindset that too much chitchat means less productivity, think again. A Gallup poll found that close work friendships boost employee satisfaction by 50 percent and people with a best friend at work are seven times more likely to engage fully in their work.
The bottom line? Fostering friendships among employees can improve your business.
While you can’t force employees at your pharmacy to become friends, you can provide opportunities for them to get to know one another better. And, maybe you can even get to know your employees better, too.
Here’s a look at how you can encourage work friendships at your independent community pharmacy.
1. Mentor new hires
When you hire a new employee at your pharmacy, designate another staff member to show him the ropes.
Choose a staff member with an outgoing personality who can introduce the new hire to others and make him feel more welcomed.
Not only will your new employees feel more comfortable from the get-go, but doing so may also spark a new friendship.
2. Break bread together
Everyone knows that food brings people together.
Host a monthly potluck lunch where everyone brings their favorite dish to share, or have breakfast catered once a month.
By breaking bread together, you allow your employees more time to get to know one another.
3. Host fun contests or games
Playing games and hosting contests are great ways to bring out your employees’ competitive natures and discover shared interests.
For example, host a wellness challenge where employees team up with one another to see who can stick to a fitness plan the longest or lose the most weight.
Or, encourage employees to participate in a sports contest where they can compete against one another, such as a fantasy football league or a basketball tournament challenge.
4. Participate in recreational sports leagues
Recreational sports leagues are a fun way to encourage team bonding as well as work friendships.
For example, form a recreational volleyball or softball team that plays together once a week. If some employees aren’t interested in playing, invite them to hang out and cheer on the team during games.
5. Plan monthly activities
Employees need to get to know each other off-the-clock to form real connections.
And, planning outings outside of work can lessen stress for employees and encourage them to have some fun.
Coordinate after-work activities, such as going bowling or to an arcade, where everyone has a chance to lighten up and be themselves. Put your employees in charge of planning events, so they have an opportunity to interact and do something fun together.
Happy employees and a happy bottom line go hand-in-hand. Check out these additional ways to keep your employees satisfied.
