4 Key Steps to Improve Employee Morale
You may be a business owner, supervisor or manager working with staff on a day-to-day basis. Your staff are the most important asset of your business. Employee morale, good or bad, will have a direct impact on your bottom line and the output of projects and productivity. Let’s define employee morale so there is a better understanding of what it means and how it can impact a business. Employee morale can be defined as the attitudes, behaviors, and overall satisfaction your staff have regarding the organization. The morale of your employees is directly linked to job satisfaction, employee engagement, retention, and productivity.
There are some ways to improve employee morale if you notice things are not working well in your organization. Remember that staff are your greatest asset, so it is essential to make some changes if needed. Your business and organization deserve that.
1. Communication: People communicate in the workplace via emails, face to face interaction and phone conversations. Other avenues for work communication might include company Intranet messaging, team groups and more. Businesses that communicate effectively have little room for misunderstanding. For example, if you, as the business owner or manager, decide to email a few people on your team about an important project deadline, you may need to emphasis relaying that message to their own team players, or others who have a vested interest. Making sure you communicate to upper staff and to staff that greet customers each day if essential if information needs to be passed along. Don’t wait for your staff to make up their mind about something at work. Communicate effectively so your staff feel part of the business mission and values.
2. Appreciation: Nothing lets your staff know more about how they are valued other than appreciation, appreciation, and more appreciation. Little things like a walk around the office each morning to say hello or “how are you today” will get the day started off right. Make sure to give credit where credit is due to validate the work your staff does each day. Thanking your staff in team meetings and acknowledging their efforts is also a positive step in showing appreciation. Appreciation keeps your staff motivated and engaged in the daily business.
3. Leadership: There is a saying that people never leave jobs because of the jobs, they leave because of poor leadership. Unfortunately, there is some truth in this thought. Low employee morale can be linked to the trickle-down effect of top managers and leaders. Leaders who stay engaged with their employees will find that employees give back wholeheartedly, because they feel connected to the bigger picture of the business. You provide influence and guidance for your staff and team. Do it openly and honestly. Sincerity and a genuine sprit will be noticed. Employees will engage this and stay true to the mission of the business. Great leadership equals employee retention.
4. Work/life balance: We spend most of our hours each week working in jobs. Jobs may be remote, in the office, and on the production floor. No matter where your employees work it will be essential to recognize the importance of a healthy work life balance. Earned time off, vacations, personal days and more will help employees take time away from work when needed. Many forward-thinking companies even offer mental health days. We need time away from work for the things that matter in our lives. Family, friends, good self-care, vacations, or time alone on the patio with a cup of coffee are all important for that balance to be felt, and to be seen.