Kristen Haddox, Penn State University4. Let go of the jerks -- weeding out this kind of behavior among upper management can have an even greater impact on employee morale than raises or promotions. The best approach to tackling low morale is to embrace positive changes before it takes hold, offsetting boredom and frustration with meaningful benefits, individual acknowledgements, and opportunities to grow. Ways To Boost Employee Morale. By offering to pick up the tab on some essentials, you nurture a positive relationship with employees. Consider paying for or subsidizing transportation, technology, gym memberships, or childcare. At When I Work, we use a tool called TinyPulse. Crowd-source company outing ideas.. How many times have you been to a company outing that missed the mark? However, a job can especially produce stress. Too much choice is restrictive and confusing." Co-workers like to hear praise from others. Rather, it is the small things that make workers feel commitment to an organization. It could... 2. These examples and more deserve recognition. Seeing as how 78 percent employees spend more time with co-workers than they do with family, a supportive community will go along way to fostering happiness. Opening your doors to children, spouses, parents, and siblings connects professional and personal worlds. Quit smoking? Respond as you would to a friend, with kindness and consideration. As an alternative to an awful and extended commute, chances are employees will be more productive during a snow day at home than they would in the office. I know everything in life becomes impatient when you strive to patiently wait for things to happen. When colleagues see that someone is calm and collected, they will respond similarly. 10 Creative Tips To Boost Workplace Morale At Your Job 1. Mentorship programs allow employees to meet executive-level professionals, acquire new skills, and learn about different departments. Whether it’s a “bring your kids to work day,” or simply an open invitation for significant others at your next happy hour, including families helps employees see a more human side of each other. If your job exhibits low employee morale, maybe it is time for a change. Jennifer Kustanovich, SUNY Stony Brook5. So, it's been a roller-coaster experience, and definitely not what we expected. Praise colleagues and subordinates. Studies reveal that a key employee's exit can cost between 70 and 200 percent of the individual's compensation. With specialized contractors implementing strategy, you free up your employees to think big and develop innovative initiatives. And while you're at it, make sure to celebrate your company's birthday. So, when a colleague triumphs, it should be celebrated. Putting on a brave face shows that any situation is under control. Learn how to boost your employees’ morale, engagement and productivity during COVID-19 by addressing their biggest concerns and challenges! Co-workers like to hear... 2. Maybe they never really did anything seriously wrong, but oh my god they are annoying af. Make communication easy by setting up video conferencing and instant messaging platforms across your company (that is, if you don’t Slack everything already). Make Business Results Transparent. It's a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with your mission while generating good feelings. 14 Simple Strategies to Boost Workplace Morale 01. Promote weekly incentives. According to a survey from Globoforce, 82 percent of people would feel good if people noticed and recognized their work anniversary, but only 36 percent of people say a work anniversary made them feel valued. We all work hard every day. For our workers who have never worked from home, social isolation is deeply felt. It will give them some­thing to look for­ward to and get their endor­phins flow­ing, which is a great way for them to bond. This tip is especially helpful around the holidays. The return to a clean space may just be the spark you need to instantly improve morale. They're the kind of characters that make you want to yell at the writer, "what the hell were you thinking with this one?" That said, it’s important to recognize people the right way—you shouldn’t just hand out meaningless compliments. It’s true that your employees are paid to do their jobs. Include these quotes in employees’ paycheck, birthdays can help them feel a part of the team. Even small decisions can have unintended consequences for your employee morale. 17 Ways to Boost Employee Morale During COVID-19 That Aren’t Happy Hours Fancy Dress Fridays. Forty percent of millennials expect promotions every one to two years. If you've ever had or experienced anything of these things, you're probably the next Long Island Medium, or you're just simply a highly spiritual DIVA. It takes constant work to maintain a dynamic company culture. As a quick morale boost­er, con­sid­er imple­ment­ing reg­u­lar sports days for your employ­ees. That’s more true now than ever! Not only will it boost employees' achievements and self-esteem, it will empower your company with a competitive workforce. Anyone at work run a marathon? Radhi, SUNY Stony Brook3. 25 Low Cost, Creative Ideas to Improve Morale, Enhance Productivity, and Make Your Workplace More Fun! The last few years of my life have been a rollercoaster. 1. When people are down, keeping it quiet only makes it worse. Some companies try to break the mold by offering unlimited vacation days, but that's not necessarily a solution either. Providing leadership in tough times can put a team back on track. When your workforce is dispersed, it’s especially important to keep your employees engaged. No matter where you are, you’re never far from great volunteer opportunities. Around February of the next year, I found out that I had developed Lupus as a result of the medicine I was on to treat my Crohn's disease. At this time three years ago, I received my first of many diagnoses: Crohn's disease. Employee Morale Boosters: 25 Ideas Your Staff Will Love 1. Clare Regelbrugge, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Sign in to comment to your favorite stories, participate in your community and interact with your friends. Decorating is a fun way to make your workplace more pleasant and enjoyable. Take care of your team members by sending a private, personal note to let them know you see and support them. Tie yourself down to your chair and grab a glass of Prosecco because this is about to blow your little, perplexing mind. 37. Giving colleagues a few moments to reflect can bring positive change to a work environment. Meme Channels. Boosting employee morale isn’t just a fad; it’s an important driver in the success of your workplace. One day in March, everything shut down and we all had to learn how to work, teach, study, do therapy, and take classes remotely without much preparation. Low morale is a prime reason for high turnover, low productivity and larger rates of absenteeism in a company. The novelty of working from home because of COVID-19 is wearing thin. When you have low morale, it can lead to poor concentration, low productivity and higher turnover – all of which negatively impact your business. These characters aren't necessarily evil or horrible people, but they do have personalities that make them incredibly irritating. Employees often feel overwhelmed. Also, it provides a chance for co-workers to know each other a little better. Simply showing we appreciate hard work can create a more productive environment. Family is one of the most important aspects of people's lives. Cake is great, but instead, give your employees the ultimate birthday boost: an extra day off to spend whenever and however they like. We all work hard at our jobs — whatever it is we do. If you're looking to add some songs to your winter playlist, give these ones a listen. You can even encour­age a lit­tle friend­ly com­pe­ti­tion by pro­vid­ing prizes. Employee anxiety and stress are peaking. If your team works from home, then you can allow group members to set an away message and catch some z’s. Instead, increase vacation days and add a bonus for employees who truly take a time-out -- no work email, no phone calls, no laptop on the beach. Research suggests that only one in five people take lunch breaks and that white-collar workers are least likely to step away from their desks for a break. Consider putting aside money for professional development programs and to reimburse employee tuition toward academic degrees. This aromatic option is one of the easiest ways to boost employee morale during the holidays while also boosting their productivity. Instead of playing "the trust game," encourage employees to lead voluntary workshops or exercises in an area they are knowledgeable about -- an avid outdoorsmen could plan a kayaking trip or a top-notch baker could teach people how to bake a new recipe. Hearing feedback about myself allows me to consider what my strengths are and what I need to improve upon. Instead of utilizing email for all communication, integrate software like Trello, Asana, and Slack to lessen or completely negate its impact. Starbucks is leading this trend, having just expanded their employee tuition reimbursement plan in partnership with Arizona State University. Here are some tips to help you create a work environment that can play a part in improving employee morale and attracting and retaining the top talent. 10 Creative Tips To Boost Workplace Morale At Your Job, 10 Thoughts Every Student Has Had During Online Classes, 11 TV Characters Who Are Irritating BEYOND Belief, 20 Songs You Should REALLY Add To Your Winter Playlist, As Someone With A Chronic Condition, My Quarantine Silver Lining Has Been Being Able To Put My Health First, 30 Small Ways To Improve Your Mental Health Every Day This Month, Yes, Olivia Rodrigo Is The One Artist To Add To All Your Playlists In 2021, Believe In What You Pray For, And Trust The Process, Because Everything Will Happen, When It Happens. Identifying their efforts could brighten their day. Be open and transparent about communication. But taking a moment to recognize your team members for a job well done in their day-to-day work is the easiest, cheapest, and most effective way to boost morale. What's the easiest way to boost morale? We asked HR practitioners, via the SHRM Connect online community and LinkedIn, to share their ideas for easy, affordable ways to boost morale in the work … 10. 12 Ways to Help Boost Team Morale. Praise your employees often. Get accepted to grad school? Keeping employee morale high: A challenge during COVID-19 As cases of COVID-19 increase, so do feelings of doubt and anxiety among workers. When we strive to become better than we are, then everything around us becomes better as well. 44.Caught Ya In The Act This is a fun and engaging why to keep everyone talking and giving encouragement. Based on the time of service, an employee can take a break to pursue her passions, volunteer, or spend time with family. Feedback can be reciprocal. Those people have the greatest leverage to model morale-boosting habits. I never thought I'd hear the words "your diseases are under control," but I have, all thanks to quarantine. Motivational quotes like these are a perfect way to give employees that boost in the workplace. Humans experience stressors every day. Stay connected. There are no bad ideas and brainstorming can lead to anything. There are many simple, yet powerful, techniques you can use to instantly boost employee morale. Track the pulse of employee morale. Even if your workplace is on a budget, there are still ways to provide incentives. No matter how down in the dumps your team is, these techniques are guaranteed to spark positive change. Have you ever been watching your favorite show, all comfortable and relaxed, and then that one character that you just can't stand pops up on the screen and ruins your mood? Don't lose your best employees. When working remotely, employees need to know that their manager and senior leaders are still there for them should they have issues and need someone to help them through. Here are some fun ways to boost morale. Playing games leads people to compromise, meet others' needs, and work together as a team. The key to staying connected while working remotely is to spend time with your staff. Fill it with quotes, jokes, activities, and other fun things that they can do to get a quick morale boost and motivation to continue with a productive work day. A 2013 Harvard Business School study found that giving clear, unconditional, and unexpected financial gifts to employees leads to higher productivity. But it goes deeper. As a manager, you perceive your company much differently than your... 02. When a blizzard, flood, or hurricane rolls into town, be especially cognizant of employee safety, and when necessary, let workers stay home. Spreading positivity in the workplace can boost morale and relieve some stress employees may be feeling. Giving employees the opportunity to shape rewarding activities ensures that your effort serves everyone. Instead of putting your HR team in charge, ask for anonymous nominations for a company-wide outing -- then let your team vote for their favorites. Activities for employees to boost teamwork and cooperation don’t have to be dull and repetitive – implement some of the following fun-filled suggestions into your next team event to help make teamwork and cooperation amongst coworkers an enjoyable prospect. So, companies can’t afford to blindside the topic of low employee morale for too long. If you or your colleagues have low morale at work, give these 10 tips a try. It then recruits volunteer groups to tackle issues and solve the company's biggest problems. Be clear about opportunities to grow, not just during recruitment but on a regular basis. As the researchers state, "Gifts are roughly as efficient as hiring more workers." It gives them little glimpses into each other’s home lives, which helps people feel more connected. When employees experience significant life events such as loss, they can feel isolated in a culture of nonstop celebration. The workplace should be an area where hard working people come together and accomplish their goals. Knowing how to increase employee morale is a great step to improve productivity, overall worker satisfaction, and teamwork in your … Here are ten ideas to boost the morale of your team and bring as much normalcy to the current situation as possible: Schedule regular virtual meetings to check-in on each other. You can still recognize personal milestones and losses while respecting privacy -- even a simple note from you would do. Read these 10 tips to improve morale in the workplace and ask a colleague or supervisor if the tips are possible to implement. Keep them happy by implementing ideas from this list. Companies like Adobe, Deloitte and Kimpton Hotels have adopted sabbaticals as a way to increase quality of life and encourage retention among employees. If you're tuned into your workplace, you can tell when employees exhibit the subtle and not-so-subtle symptoms of low morale: eye rolls, high turnover rates, fewer employee conversations, decreased collaboration, and diluted performances. Your generosity will come back in the form of employee appreciation. When employees have low moral it can be hard to be productive. Home or dorm life, school, relationships, and extracurricular activities all present stress. It could be a gift card, iPhone utilities, movie tickets, a holiday raffle, or some perks in the workplace. Group Volunteer Opportunities. Maybe it's their slow pace, their magical synth sounds, or their melancholy lyrics, but all of these songs give me winter vibes. Yes, we all work positions in which we do not want to show up every day. Instead of... 2. Fun Christmas or Halloween decorations can put anyone in a good mood when they arrive to work. Ace a final exam? But that doesn’t mean you... 03. If you see any of these signs, or other troubling changes in behavior among your workforce, here are four actions you can take to help boost … For the majority of these songs, I can't really explain why, but they remind me of winter. Encourage and Host Virtual Social Time. In fact, 92 percent of employees experience a spike in blood pressure and heart rate after reading an email in the office. Also note that a lenient inclement weather policy is particularly important to employees with young family, as childcare options are rarely available when schools close. The options are endless! 9 ways to maintain staff morale in a remote work environment 1. But if you work in a place with positive attitudes and high spirits, then your hard work will be worth it. With high costs accompanying low morale, it pays to invest in a positive community and individual satisfaction -- they can go a long way to improving your company and its numbers. Here are 5 ways you can boost employee morale during the Coronavirus pandemic: Virtual Team Bonding. You could also build naps into your work from home policy. You're not crazy. Have a daily huddle. Presenting the workplace with an opportunity to share ideas and opinions is crucial to teamwork and morale. Tie yourself down to your chair, or your toilet, and grab a glass of Prosecco because this is about to blow your little, feeble mind. 1. We all work hard at our jobs — whatever it is we do. Songs About Being 17Grey's Anatomy QuotesVine Quotes4 Leaf CloverSelf Respect, 1. Do one task every day to improve your mental health! Instead of expecting individuals to do it all, encourage outsourcing work to freelancers and outside experts as a way to plug in the holes. On the flip side, if an employer surveyed me and asked what I think needs improvement, I would provide honest and solid feedback. The few hours of lost work will result in an increase in productivity and employee gratitude, which benefits the company in the long run. Let's be clear about ONE THING. Maybe you can delegate this task to someone who enjoys arts and crafts. Have a conversation with your staff about the best way to honor work anniversaries. It is an entertaining way to relax and find out who can write the best song or chant. But not everything in life will go detail to detail of how you pictured it, but if you just drop the expectations and go with the flow you'll experience a much more fulfilled life vs planning everything. While everyone is out, have the office freshly painted with bright colors. Management professor Kimberly Elsbach told NPR that “staying inside, in the same location, is really detrimental to creative thinking.” Get managers on board to take a coffee break, go for a walk or check out a new restaurant every day. Workplace morale is just as important as a paycheck. Imagine the positive impact you would have giving a big bonus to a single mother supporting a family or a young professional paying off student loans? You may know her from the Disney+ show, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, or from her song, "All I Want," from its popularity on TikTok. This is a fun way for co-workers to collaborate and create something that belongs to their company, branch, or department. It... 3. A posture of openness gives employees permission to contribute to positive change. Perhaps they have never hurt a fly, but it doesn't matter since their character just straight-up sucks.By the way, some of my arguments contain spoilers, so fair warning. Add a Ping-Pong table to the break room, bring in a karaoke machine once a month, or even encourage a small group to undertake an art project for the office. Simply showing we fun ways to boost morale at work hard work can create a more productive environment charts by storm but come on, does. 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