Kindness in the workplace is more than just an enjoyable experience — it increases how connected employees feel to their companies, improves their well-being and reduces stress, according to a recent study published on the digital academic journal PLOS ONE.
In general, kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous and considerate, but in the workplace, kind actions can also be defined as those that affirm dignity and social inclusion. For example, in the study, the most common way participants received kindness in the workplace was through feeling safe — physically and emotionally — followed by having their feelings, concerns and/or experiences acknowledged as valid.
Positive recognition for efforts, thoughtfulness and/or talents also ranked highly among the common workplace kindness experiences. Remember that gratitude is not just for Thanksgiving — recognizing employees for who they are and what they contribute is one of the best ways to energize your workforce. Finally, kindness begets more kindness, as those who receive it are more likely to perform kind acts themselves.
And these findings are not limited to just this one study. Kindness in the workplace also makes workers more engaged, present and productive with fewer accidents and errors, according to the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. Their “7 Steps to Creating Kindness in the Workplace” breaks down the components of creating a workplace culture of kindness into sections, highlighting relevant actions and activities. For example, to create a growth and improvement mindset in the workplace, rather than chastising someone for making a mistake, discuss:
- What they could learn from it;
- Something positive that came from it; and
- Opportunities to do better next time.
Another step to creating workplace kindness is modeling the behavior you want to see. One of the easiest things to do is greet those around us with “good morning” or “how are you doing?” When we feel seen, we feel included.
In addition to their report, the Random Acts of Kindness foundation has a 2024 and a 2025 calendar with daily suggestions for acts of kindness, including organizing a potluck, enjoying a picnic, creating and exchanging playlists, and volunteering for various organizations, as well as a workplace kindness challenge.
Kindness is contagious and can grow exponentially over time, so any act of kindness you make can help to foster it throughout your workplace. As Aesop wrote, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”
Katie Culliton, Editor, CalChamber
CalChamber members can read more about “Six HR Strategies for Fostering a Positive, Successful Work Environment.” Not a member? Learn how to power your business with a CalChamber membership.
