10 Ways To Improve Morale At Work
Millions of Americans go to work every day, but many are not happy in their work. Improving the morale of your employees can boost productivity and improve the overall efficiency of your small business. In today’s discussion we will look at ten different ways to improve morale in the workplace.
1. Promote A Work-Life Balance
One of the best ways to improve morale at work is ensuring that your employees have plenty of time to themselves. Limiting working after-hours can help significantly improve productivity and morale in the workplace. In a study conducted by Stanford University, economics professor John Pencavel found that productivity per hour declined sharply when a person works more than 50 hours a week. Productivity dropped even further in those who worked 55 or more hours a week.
Steve Glaveski of Collective Campus, an innovation accelerator based in Melbourne, Australia, conducted a two-week experiment in which he had his team work six hours instead of the standard eight. This shorter workday forced the team to prioritize effectively, limit interruptions and focus solely on the task at hand. He found that after these two weeks, many of his employees reported having an improved mental state, and that they had more time for rest, family, friends and other activities. Glaveski also noticed that the team maintained, and in some cases increased, their quality and quantity of work.
Promoting a work-life balance at your small business can be one of the most effective ways to improve morale and boost productivity.
2. Build Trust
Solid relationships are built on trust. This is no different when it comes to the relationship between an employer and their employees. One of the most effective ways to build trust is by letting your employees provide feedback on management decisions. If an employee’s voice is heard and valued, they are more likely to care about the work they are doing, and therefore work more effectively for the company. This works the other way around as well. As an employer, it is important to keep employees in the loop about impending changes within the company. This can prevent employees from becoming jilted if they feel an important decision has been made without them.
Studies have shown that only 12% of employees leave their job for more money, so building trust can ensure that employees feel valued and want to stay and provide their best for your small business.
3. Interact Outside The Office
You’ve probably seen a movie or TV show in which the main characters go on a corporate ‘retreat’. It tends to be a cliche used in movies to show just how well a character is getting along with their coworkers. Events outside of the office, such as a retreat, can be very beneficial to the morale of employees. Whether its a work event, holiday party or a family day, allowing your employees to interact outside the office can encourage creativity and offer a more relaxing work experience.
These events are a great way for employees to connect and learn more about each other. Many work events can be cost-effective as well:
Pancake breakfast: You’ve probably seen local schools hold these throughout the year, but a pancake breakfast can be a cost-effective way for your employees to connect in a stress-free environment as well as by starting the day with a full stomach.
Potluck lunch: Potluck lunches are another way to help your employees connect over a meal. With each employee bringing a dish, it can add variety to your normal lunch routine and give your employees the opportunity to creatively express themselves or introduce coworkers to their culture. Adding a cook-off with the winner receiving a work-based incentive can add more fun to the festivities.
Activity-based: Company retreats or holiday parties can be expensive, so perhaps opt for a more cost-effective work outing like bowling or mini-golf. Activities like this can be fun for employees and offers another chance for employees to get to know each other outside the office.
Charity: Encouraging employees to support local charities through fundraising activities can help build stronger employee relationships and improve morale.
Physical Activity: Physical activity has been proven to make people happier. Taking a walk, or going to the gym while working can improve a persons mood.
4. Offering Benefits And Growth Opportunity
When searching for a career, many people look at the benefits included with the position, as well as the opportunity for growth within the business. Offering employees comprehensive benefits can ensure that they and their families are covered. Benefits do not always have to be just medical insurance; consider offering employees stock in the company. This is a great financial incentive and can let the employee know that they are valued.
An Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is a benefit plan that gives your employees ownership interest in your small business. ESOPs encourage employees to do whats best for the shareholders since the employees themselves are shareholders. According to the National Center for Employee Ownership, 14 million Americans are enrolled in an ESOP, and over 6,500 businesses offer an ESOP.
Opportunity for growth does not always have to be in the form of a promotion. While promotions are a good way for an employee to grow, you can also offer them unique and interesting ways to improve their professional skills by providing improvement courses or having them attend a conference. If you are not sure what benefits to offer to your employees, consider contacting a small business consulting firm to help you better meet the needs of your employees.
5. Promote Diversity
By promoting workplace diversity, your employees can feel that their different ideas and opinions are an asset to your business. An article in Forbes notes “an increase in innovation and creativity among a culturally diverse group can create an esprit de corps and the feeling of positive progress for the benefit of the group and the organization”.
Promoting diversity can be tricky. Without a well thought-out and well-researched plan, businesses may end up hiring candidates not because of their qualifications, but because they fit picture the company is trying to create. When looking to promote diversity in the workplace, it is important that every employee must know there is no tolerance for discrimination or harassment. Taking the time to celebrate employee’s differences can go a long way in making each employee feel valued in their work.
6. Encourage Real Breaks
Many of us want to work as hard as possible, but at some point we need a break. Research has shown that only one in five people take a lunch break and that white-collar workers were least likely to take a break. Creativity and innovation tends to happen when people change their environment, and getting away from your desk, even just for a few minutes, can improve creativity and offer another perspective on a project. Encouraging your employees to take genuine breaks can improve their happiness and help them feel recharged and ready to get back to work.
7. Employee Recognition
Everyone likes to be recognized for the work they have done. By recognizing the work of an employee, it can make them feel valued and motivate them to continue doing well. This is one of the easiest ways to improve morale at work, and it doesn’t cost anything.
8. Small Gestures
Another one of the easiest ways to improve morale is by extending small gestures to employees. Giving a small gift, a thoughtful card, or saying thank you is a great way to show an employee you care about them and are interested in their well-being and their life outside of work.
9. Wellness
Mental and physical health are important. The healthier someone is, the better they tend to feel. Many businesses have started offering courses on physical, mental and emotional well-being to their employees. By doing this, it can show your employees that you care about their mental, physical and emotional health. Sitting at a desk for eight hours a day can take it’s toll, and by offering your employees breaks and wellness courses, you can give them variety in their workday.
Another helpful way to encourage employee wellness at your small business is by offering standing desks. Standing desks can encourage an employee to be more active while at work. Standing also burns more calories than sitting, and research has shown that in an afternoon of standing work you burn 174 more calories when compared to sitting. Additionally, 87% percent of people who used standing desks reported increased energy throughout the day. If standing desks, or wellness courses don’t sound like the best options for your small business, consider hiring a small business consulting firm to help you figure out the best strategies to maintaining employee wellness.
10. Plants
It may seem odd, but adding plants to the workplace is one of the simplest ways to improve morale. Research from Live Science has shown that “people who toiled in offices with plants and window views reported they felt better about their job and the work they performed compared to those in windowless offices without shrubbery around”. There is a direct correlation between employee morale and plants in the workplace. Research has shown that “plants do more than just clean the air”, they improve job satisfaction and morale. A study conducted by the University of Queensland concluded that being around plants at the office can boost employee productivity by as much as 15%.
In Conclusion
Businesses know that keeping employees happy is essential to productivity and efficiency. By including some of the ideas mentioned above, you can help your employees feel happy and valued in their work. If you are unsure of what method works best for your small business, or want to discuss other options please CONTACT US at North Consulting Services.
