We’re all familiar with the phrase: “Money can’t buy you happiness”, and it turns out this is very much the truth when it comes to keeping your top employees on board.

A pay rise, bonus or paid days off are not enough, and as a business owner you might need to be doing more to boost employee satisfaction.

We’ve put together a list of ways you can achieve this within your company. Follow them and you’ll have cheerier, more productive employees in no time!

Be open and honest
Transparency is so important. We all like to feel as though we’re being kept in the loop, so let your employees know when there’s a development in the business, no matter how big or small.

Keep in touch
Talking to your employees one-on-one to see how they’re getting on is essential, especially if you’re a small company. Having a chat over a coffee or lunch is a great way to show you care.

Encourage communication
Creating inviting spaces in your office for people to get together for a catch-up is a great idea. It not only evokes a comfortable vibe but it can lead to successful collaboration too.

Set a career path
Helping employees to plot out a clear path of progression within your business will let them know where their hard work can lead and they’ll strive to achieve associated goals.

Keep in mind the importance of following through on this and make it a core part of your employees’ annual review process.

Recognise their contribution
Showing your appreciation of what an employee does is one of the major ways to increase happiness. No one likes to feel as though their work is going unnoticed.

A recent survey conducted by the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA) uncovered results which suggested recognition has the largest positive impact on employee well-being, so try to focus your efforts here.

Ask their opinion
Putting together an employee satisfaction survey can prove invaluable and help you to improve your company’s culture and ways of working to suit your employees better.

Just remember, one error you can really make once you've got your answers is to not take action and implement the changes your employees have suggested.

Give them a challenge
Handing someone a new project to tackle shows them you trust them enough to take it on. Plus, it’s key to mix things up in order to keep your employees engaged.

Let them manage themselves
Refraining from micro-managing and letting people get on with things is critical. Good employees know what they’re doing and when it has to be done, don’t feel you need to remind them constantly.

Embrace flexibility
Letting your employees control their own work-life balance is a great way to increase happiness. Allow them to customise their work space and encourage flexible working hours to suit them.

Provide the right resources
Removing potential obstacles from the path of your employees is essential. By eliminating distractions and irritating technological issues you’ll not only lessen their frustration in the workplace but increase productivity too.

As an employer, what are your top tips for keeping a smile on your employees’ faces? Let us know on Twitter.

If you’re looking to fill a creative or digital role within your business, drop us a line on (03) 9514 1000 to chat to one of our industry-savvy recruiters about how we can help you!