You can usually tell quite quickly what a workplace is really like just by experiencing a day there and getting to understand what it feels like when you’re in it, and whether things run in a way that makes sense or leaves people trying to catch up and feeling unhappy.

But what exactly is it you’re looking for? The feeling is important, but what gives you that feeling? It’s the small things that show you you’re cared about, and if you’re an employer, you’ll want to know exactly what those things are, so keep reading to find out.

How The Day Is Put Together

If the day just feels totally rushed from start to finish, with no time to pause and nowhere to reset when you need to, it’s not going to matter how good everything else is because that’s the feeling that’s going to dominate everything else.

However, when there’s a bit of (literal in some cases) breathing room, when things are planned in a way that everyone can manage quite well, it’s going to completely change how people go about their work and that’s good for everyone, and the business itself.

Being Aware Without Making It a Big Thing

People actually notice when someone’s paying attention to them, and we’re not talking about something formal or career-wise. We’re talking about small things like remembering something they mentioned, checking in when something feels a bit off, or just acknowledging when they’ve put in some extra effort.

That’s the kind of thing that people are going to remember and feel good about, and, crucially, it’s the kind of thing that boosts motivation and productivity, all because you were able to show you care.

The Things People Use Every Day

It’s very often the real, practical details that make the biggest difference, especially the ones people use without thinking about them.

For example, having a proper place to take a break, or something simple like an office coffee subscription, is a great way to give people a way to stop what they’re doing for a little bit and take a break. That’s going to be important when it comes to the bigger picture as well as the wellbeing of the employee themselves.

Fixing What Slows People Down

Every workplace has some small frustrations – after all, no one and nowhere is perfect – and these are the things that slow people down more than anything else. The issue is that although they’re there, people just get used to them, and work around them a lot of the time.

But what if you could actually fix those things? What if, even if they’re only minor, you could solve the problems and make people more productive? Would it make a difference? The answer is undoubtedly yes. And not only would people be more productive, but it would also show them you care because you take the time to understand the problems and solve them.