There’s a certain atmosphere that hangs over the workplace when morale is low. The office is too quiet; there’s a whole lot of subpar work being done; employees whisper about doing job applications. Low morale can be a real productivity killer, and it could also cause your company to lose great employees.
Low morale can be caused by anything: low pay, layoffs, declining profits, few advancement opportunities, or excessive workloads. But regardless of what the cause is, there are several ways in which you can get the workplace happy and motivated once again. Here are a few tips on how to improve morale in the workplace.
Be a Leader, Not a Boss
If you’re in a leadership position, it’s on your shoulders to boost the workplace morale. Show the rest of the employees that you’re not just a boss—you’re a leader.
“Boss” can have a negative connotation that describes someone who is unfriendly, who micromanages, and who doesn’t understand the needs and stresses of the lower-level employees. You don’t want to be that kind of boss. That boss only evokes stress and miserable feelings from staff.
Instead, you should strive to be a leader. Wield a positive attitude and be polite to all staff—even show an interest in their personal lives. Don’t merely delegate tasks—show your employees the role their work plays in the whole scheme of the business.
Ultimately, you should be working harder than everyone so you can set a bar that others will aspire to rise to. Sympathize with your employees and be sure to give them time to address your concerns. Try not to write off their concerns, even if there’s not much you can do about them. Do whatever you can to help your staff reach their highest potential, even if you have to alter some policies.
Let Employees Work Remotely
If your staff can work remotely, you might consider giving them the option to work from home. Some employees don’t perform as well when they work from home, but many employees thrive. When employees get to work remotely, they don’t have to deal with the stress of commuting to work, and they’re able to work in an environment that’s often cozier and more comfortable than the office.
Try giving your employees one work from home day per week, and let your employees know that they’ll still be expected to get their work done on time. If it’s successful, you can assign more work from home days. With video conferencing and workplace messaging apps, it’s easier than ever to have employees work from home, while also being able to maintain strong communication with them.
Plan Company Social Events
One of the most effective ways to boost workplace morale is to hold regular events where employees can mingle and have fun. It enables your employees to blow off some steam and get to know the other people they work with. There are so many different kinds of events you can do, from office scavenger hunts, to parties, to happy hours. Find aura camera equipment for sale and bring it into work so employees can take aura selfies. Or, set up a viewing party for a sporting event. You don’t have to spend a lot of money. As long as you’re giving employees the chance to have fun and network, you’ll be successful in getting everyone’s spirits up.
Plan a Company Getaway
Building on the social event idea, you could plan an annual company getaway for your employees. Where you go is entirely dependent on how many employees you have and what your budget is. You can plan a simple staycation at a resort in town, or you can fly everyone down to Cancun. Company getaways give everyone something to look forward to, which should motivate everyone in the office.
Give Kudos Where It’s Due
This is one of the easiest ways to boost morale in the office, but it’s often forgotten about or ignored by lead staff: give kudos to your employees when they do a good job.
Some leadership staff believe that compliments don’t need to be given for a job well done, because employees shouldn’t be commended for doing their jobs. That’s a poor mindset, and it’s not a good way to keep up morale in the office. You should get in the habit of commending employees every week. If you don’t know anything you can compliment them work, you need to take some time and learn about the work they’ve been doing. A simple compliment can go a long way in motivating an employee to keep performing well.
If your workplace has suddenly become a drab and dreary place, remember that it could be because the morale is low. All you’ve got to do to boost morale is to plan some company events, commend employees for good work, help employees be more productive, and show them what good work looks like.
What if you need to motivate yourself? Learn some simple motivation tips here.
