We often hear how important it is to give your boss the best deal possible but it is also important that if you are the boss then make sure you give your employees the best deal too.

There are many forms of legislation in place to ensure workers are safe at work but all too often employees are too frightened to complain if these are not adhered too. Bosses make excuses for these rules to be broken saying it is necessary to get the company out of financial or academic difficulties.

If, as a boss, you do feel it is necessary to ask employees to overlook terms and conditions for a short while then you must not do it in a threatening or “If you don’t like it you know where the door is,” way.

 A considerable amount of bosses expect employees to ignore these and will openly threaten staff as they feel safe in the knowledge that employees will do nothing about it or if they do no one will back them.

This is out and out bullying and should not be done. Yes there are times when it is essential that people go the extra mile to help out but they will not do it by having to respond to threats.

If you do have a problem then put it to your staff and ask for ideas on how to solve it. Do not be too quick to reject any idea. The idea itself maybe a good one and it just needs developing in its strategic management.

Employees need good work conditions to ensure they do their best. Find out what they would like to have in an ideal world, and then prioritise. Once priorities are sorted, brainstorm ideas on how to implement them.

Would the work force like to be fitter? If so is it possible to negotiate a corporate membership for a gym? It may be as simple as providing an exercise bike and a rowing machine that is available for the staff during their work breaks.

Make use of freecycle sites to obtain equipment for a gym if funds are short. It might be that some employees have some equipment at home that they would be prepared to bring in for everyone to use.

Regular breaks are vital for good performance. Expecting your staff to work through their lunch breaks to attend meetings is not conducive to achievement and is counter productive. 

Fresh minds and bodies produce fresh ideas. Having a break gives the mind and body a chance to recharge and is also a chance for the employee to evaluate work done and have a new perspective on their performance.

If the work expected to be done in break times involves a new task then having a break allows the brain to have a complete rest before moving on to a different subject. This way full attention will be given to the task in hand and the brain will not still be evaluating a previous task.

Whilst it is acknowledged that it is not professional to have employees eating at their desks whilst dealing with customers or clients staff do need to top up their energy levels so allow them time to have nutrition breaks.

Do you provide the best furniture to ensure correct posture whilst engaging in a task? If not make it a priority to do so. This will help avoid absenteeism.

Encourage an environment where staff takes their health seriously. Stretching the body frequently to avoid muscle strain is essential and only takes a few minutes yet can save months of pain.

Do not expect staff to spend their breaks talking about work. It is a break and therefore should be treated as such. Staffrooms should provide an opportunity to release tension.

Listen to your staff. Do not encourage moaning but do create an ethos of constructive criticism and challenge to work practices. This way the work force will be happy and healthy and you will have a constant supply of ideas to make your company, no matter what its size, a successful one.