Mounting research shows that there’s a lot more to being kind than meets the eye. People who go above and beyond to practice kindness are happier and have better mental and physical health than those who don’t spend as much time supporting others. Job seekers are more likely to apply for a job posting that lists kindness as an important value of the company.
In a recent collaboration, kindness.org commissioned Beekman 1802 to survey 1,365 employees from six companies including Ulta Beauty, Pura Vida, Nextdoor, Michigan University College of Arts and Letters and Traackr. Findings showed a direct link between kindness and overall employee happiness and job satisfaction.
Four key findings emerged:
- Being kind to your boss predicts happiness in the workplace.
- Kindness at work is a bigger predictor of happiness than income.
- Feeling valued is one of the biggest contributors to workplace happiness.
- Doing purposeful work is directly linked to levels of happiness at work.
“As we spend so much of our adult lives at work, we believe fostering environments of kindness in the workplace will have profoundly positive ripple effects in all aspects of life,” Brent Ridge, co-founder of Beekman 1802. “Creating this first of-its-kind, scientifically validated tool for companies to measure kindness is a critical first step, and this ground-breaking research demonstrates its importance.”
Small actions, such as buying a cup of coffee for a coworker, go a long way to raise morale and promote teamwork. And it’s contagious for receivers who are more likely to perform a kind action for another colleague. “We’ve known for a long time that kindness is good for companies, but this study reinforces how important it is for individual happiness as well,” Oliver Scott Curry, chief science officer at kindness.org. “We’re confident that promoting kindness at work can help companies improve bot- tom line results while also creating happier, more fulfilling work environments.”
Another study of $1,200 individuals found that 77% of job seekers believe mental health should be a priority in the workplace, and key findings include:
- 77% of respondents were more likely to apply for a job posting that listed “kindness” as an important value of the company.
- 74% of respondents said it’s important to have a kind community in the work- place such as having managers check in on their team members for professional and personal support.
- 89% of workers see mental health and kindness as high priorities in the workplace.
“When businesses invest in their employees through acts of appreciation, words of encouragement or making investments in their success, they build a culture where people take pride in their work and feel a sense of engagement and account- ability,” according to co-founder and CEO of &Open, Jonathan Legge.
Kindness sends the message that employees are valued human beings, not just worker bees. It boosts safety and belonging, improves job engagement, satisfaction and performance. When employees feel cared about, they engage in better teamwork, and they are creative risk takers, willing to stick their necks out and stretch beyond customary bounds. In a kind culture, workers tend to be masters of self-correction, good problem solvers and solution focused. What more would a company want from their employees when these qualities add up to raising the competitive edge and promoting the organization’s bottom line?
If you are interested in finding out more about kindness in the workplace contact JorgensenHR at 661-600-2070 or email me at barry@jorgensenhr.com.
Source: Forbes & HR Magazine (SHRM)
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