The National Agency for the Improvement of Working Conditions or ANACT defines QVT (Quality of Work Life) as the set of actions that enhance employee well-being and business performance. It has been proven that when employees work in good conditions, the company’s performance sees a significant increase.

This definition is supported by the replacement of the term QVT with QVCT in the Labor Code since the end of March 2022. While we used to talk about quality of work life, today we talk about quality of work life and working conditions. These two points are interdependent if we want to achieve better productivity.

Better quality of work life, therefore, means employees feeling well-being in their working environment and a company registering better performance.

Currently essential in most companies, QVT is implemented by management and this by taking into account the needs of its employees. It is already in the company but the question is how to improve it? How to improve the quality of work life? Before answering this question, let’s explore below other points that still need to be reviewed.

2. How to measure quality of work life?

It is clear that to improve QVT, you must first know what needs improvement. In this case, it must be measured.

Let’s note that to date, there are no universal concepts to follow to measure the quality of work life. However, several factors allow for this. Below are some examples not to be minimized:

1- Turnover

It refers to the resignation rate within a company. It is clear that a company recording a high resignation rate has poor quality of work life. This factor should be an alarming sign for management. The latter must quickly find out why its employees are leaving the company.

A company with a good QVT approach is one made up of employees with many years of seniority. Resignations are rare. Employees are delighted to belong to the organization and do not think of changing.

2- Customer satisfaction

Measuring QVT involves inquiring about customer satisfaction. If your employees sense well-being at work, it can be felt by your customers. Ask for their opinions!

If your customers give overwhelmingly positive feedback, rest assured that QVT within the company is on the right path. Otherwise, take the necessary measures. It could harm your company.

3- Employee surveys

Management can also measure QVT or QVCT by questioning its employees. This should generally be done anonymously to obtain credible and sincere responses.

Employers will then have an overview of the needs, feelings of each employee. They can then take actions that perfectly match the needs of each. This is important to move forward together better.

If management is unaware of what its employees want, no improvement can be made.

4- Employee absenteeism rate

A company with a high absenteeism rate among its employees is a company with poor quality of work life. It may be that the employee is uncomfortable with their colleagues. They will always find excuses not to go to the office.

If QVT is better, the opposite would occur. Employees are even eager to go to work because, for example, they benefit from a serene work environment. They get along well with colleagues; their efforts are rewarded; they feel heard; etc.

5- Workplace accident rate

It informs management about the conditions in which its employees work. Let’s take a concrete example, 10 out of 15 employees suffer from MSD or musculoskeletal disorders. In this case, management must question itself and quickly implement actions to improve the working conditions of its employees.

The idea of calling on an ergonomist, for example, is a step to consider if this case arises.

6- Relationship between colleagues

The question you must ask yourself one day is: “Do your employees get along?” Certainly, each employee has their own character, but is there team cohesion? Is team spirit present? If not, ask yourself questions.

It is clear that no one will be motivated to go to work if they share an office with someone they don’t get along with very well. Generally, with a good QVT approach, conviviality is key.

3. What are the benefits of improving your employees’ quality of work life?

If improving QVT is highly sought after by most companies today, it’s because it offers various benefits. Below are some advantages offered if the quality of work life within your company is well-studied.

1- Improved productivity and performance

It has been explained in this article that better quality of work life not only allows for employee well-being but also registers better performance and productivity within the company.

2- Employee retention

Improving the quality of work life also supports employee retention. Well-treated employees won’t have the idea of changing companies. On the contrary, they will do everything to stay in the company and try to bring out the best in themselves.

3- Reduced absenteeism

A company that does not downplay the improvement of the quality of work life facilitates reduced absenteeism among its employees. One employee out of a hundred is absent in a year due to the good working conditions in place. Otherwise, five out of ten employees are absent if QVT is neglected.

Overall, improving QVT is beneficial for employees and the company. Everyone wins. The principle is simple, precise and effective actions must be implemented.

How to improve quality of life at work? Below are 10 effective actions to implement for a fulfilling professional life for your team members.

1- Prioritize team spirit by implementing various common activities

For a serene and peaceful environment, the different actors present must get along well. To develop team spirit within your company, implement activities that allow everyone to get to know and interact with each other. The ideal is to organize a team building now and then. It could be, for example, team lunches, a little excursion away from the office, etc.

When your team members are on good terms, when they feel good together, when they have that team spirit, that sense of belonging, the qlt score will be revised upwards. Nothing is better for an employee than to work in a professional environment where he’s got a good relationship with everyone.

You can also create a group chat where all team members can express themselves. This is a great idea for improving qlt. You can discuss work and relaxation. The goal is to strengthen team cohesion.

2- Do not underestimate employee comfort

The performance and motivation of an employee working in a well-lit, well-ventilated office with comfortable furniture are not the same as for someone working in an office with very little lighting, very little ventilation, and especially with very uncomfortable chairs.

To improve quality of life at work, management must consider the well-being of its employees. For instance, to avoid musculoskeletal disorders, each office should be equipped with ergonomic chairs. This is the minimum to be found in an office.

To prevent employees from suffering from vision problems, their offices must be well lit. Hygiene and safety standards must also be adhered to. The goal is to provide employees with an environment where they will feel well-being.

A pleasant work environment is more than sufficient for an employee to be productive. This is why it is more than necessary to invest so that everyone can have an office according to their expectations.

You can, for example, ask the employee’s preferences and act accordingly. The employee will feel heard. A significant point in improving the quality of life at work.

3- Allow teleworking

Teleworking is very popular with many companies today. It allows employees to manage their private and professional lives well. It is possible to grant everyone teleworking hours or days during the week. The goal is to increase team members’ well-being. At home, they can be both autonomous and effective.

The simple fact of changing the workplace a few times can play a significant role in improving qlt.

After teleworking, they will be happy to return to the office and so on. The concept of teleworking is very advantageous. Employees will avoid, for example, hours of traffic jams, etc. Less stress and more productive.

4- Acknowledge employee efforts

In everyday life, every human being needs a minimum of recognition. It is the same in the workplace. Employers must be grateful for the efforts made by their employees.

A sales rep who lands a contract, for example, feels accomplished and needs acknowledgment from their superior. A simple “congratulations” will do. This single word can have a positive effect on the sales rep.

An employee who feels useful in a workplace is an employee who will put in even more effort. An employee who feels the recognition from their employer will be even more motivated.

Recognizing employees’ efforts is a great qlt approach.

5- Provide professional training to employees

Employees have a duty to provide professional training to their employees. It benefits not only the employee but especially the company. What better for a company than team members well trained on everything they need to do and know?

To offer this, you must first know which topics need to be deepened to increase company performance.

6- Make a relaxation room available

If you want to improve your employees’ quality of life at work, consider providing them with a relaxation room. During their breaks, your employees can take the time to relax.

Take the example of a cafeteria. They can drink tea or coffee while reading a good book for 15 minutes a day. You can also opt for a TV corner. They can watch some news while being at work.

You can also opt for a collective games corner. In addition to providing them with a relaxation space, a collective games corner will also strengthen your team’s cohesion.

Know that after a few minutes or hours of relaxation, your team members will return more productive and more motivated.

7- Do not underestimate rest days

Certainly, working is not thinking about rest days. But these are crucial for team members to recharge and return more productive.

Team members who work without rest are tired. If the goal is to have more productive employees, the opposite will happen.

At least to make well-being at work effective, each employee should benefit from one day of rest per week. This qlt approach is more than necessary in a company.

8- Offer bonuses

With the different departments in the company, many employees work overtime. As mentioned previously, recognition is more than essential in a company.

Recognition can come in the form of bonuses. Occasionally offer recognition bonuses. It is an excellent technique for improving qlt.

Also, don’t forget to pay your team members’ overtime. They will forget they worked on a holiday or a weekend. Nothing is better than a well-paid employee and an employer who recognizes their employees’ efforts well.

9- Do not underestimate employees’ private life

Certainly, one should never mix private and professional life, they say, but that does not mean underestimating the private life of team members.

Take the example of an employee who just had a baby. A big change is taking place in their life, notably the daily routine. For the arrival of the baby not to be an obstacle to their work, measures must be taken into account.

Early exit hours for new mothers, for example, a nursing corner, extended parental leave, etc.

10- Allow team members to make mistakes

As they say, to err is human. Each employee may once make a mistake in the company. The employer must grant this right to make mistakes.

Instead of rushing to sanctions, it is ideal to have discussions. It is not about understanding employees’ mistakes but understanding that they can make mistakes. Listening to your team members, talking about their mistakes face-to-face, correcting them if possible, and not blaming them as if they were useless, increase their sense of well-being.

Serious offenses with warnings are excluded from this assertion.

5. In brief

To answer the question of how to improve the quality of life at work, you need to listen to the employees or team members first. When management is aware of each employee’s needs, it will be easy to implement qlt improvement actions. Pleasant environment, recognition and listening, bonuses, etc. Numerous are the ideas for improving qlt. The goal is simple, to contribute to employees’ well-being while achieving better performances. And you, which approach will you choose to improve the quality of life at work?