5 Great Ideas To Boost Morale In The Workplace

Learn simple but effective tips to boost morale and productivity at the workplace.

Your people are the backbone of your business. That’s why it pays to ensure your employees can look forward to a positive work culture that promotes their happiness and fulfilment.

When employees recognise that their company is striving to look out for their mental and emotional wellbeing they are more likely to go above and beyond to ensure they’re delivering their very best within their role. What’s more, fostering a positive workplace culture is a sure way to attract a better quality of candidate among today’s highly discerning job seekers.

So, make sure you’re delivering a work culture employees love with some help from our handy guide.

The real impact of positive morale in the workplace

Official studies continue to show that employee morale has a direct effect on many facets of your business. Some of the many benefits your company can expect to see when you boost employee morale include:

• Improved productivity
• Stronger, more collaborative teams
• Better group synergy
• Lower absentee rates
• Higher retention rates
• Increased confidence throughout company
• Better customer service
• More creativity and innovation
• Friendships among employees
• Natural desire to go above and beyond
• Improved bottom line

How to boost morale in the workplace

 1 – Be proactive in reaching out to employees

Many employers proudly state that their door is always open. And while that’s a fantastic gesture, it’s also true that many employees still find it difficult to reach out to their managers when they feel overwhelmed with work or are experiencing any problems in the office.

That’s why, from time to time, it’s also a good idea to take a more proactive approach to reach out to the team. Schedule in short one-to-ones with individual employees to touch base, discuss their work, and talk about their career goals. You could also organise a series of stay interviews with questions designed to help you discover what your employees like about their roles and what they would change. By reaching out to employees, you’ll demonstrate your willingness to listen to what they have to say. This will, in turn, make employees feel more comfortable to open up to you of their own volition in the future.

2 – Set up initiatives that promote a healthy work-life balance

A healthy work-life balance is a promise that every company seems to offer these days. However, there’s a big difference between simply advocating for work-life balance and implementing a workplace culture that actually enables its people to achieve this. So, if you’re really serious about your employees’ work-life balance, why not start by analysing their current habits at the office. Are your employees working long hours many days of the week? Are internal work emails being sent out outside of office hours?  Where you spot potential for burnout, step in and encourage employees to enjoy their free time more fully.

If possible, set up incentives through the company that help your people keep healthy, have fun, and experience new things. You could offer fitness stipends or one-off vouchers for cinemas, restaurants, spas, or activities and events. Providing your employees with opportunities to switch off and get out into the world is more likely to boost employee morale, loyalty, and productivity in the long run.

3 – Don’t forget the small gestures

Small gestures can also go a long way in improving morale at work. Whether it’s a simple thank you, a note of congratulations for a job well done, or celebrating an employee’s birthday, marriage, or graduation, these everyday interactions and connections can make employees feel genuinely welcomed and appreciated at work. Every now and then you could also hand out some treats or swag to reward people’s efforts and dedication. Everyone loves a surprise!

Today, there are also plenty of digital tools to create shoutout boards, giving employees the chance to praise each other’s work and efforts. It’s a great way to foster a positive team spirit that inspires trust and collaboration, both in the office and remotely.

4 – Encourage genuine lunch breaks

A simple but highly effective morale booster is encouraging employees to actually take their lunch breaks. According to international statistics, more than half of employees say they eat their lunch at their desks. Spending an entire day at a desk in front of a laptop or computer screen is known to cause fatigue. It is also detrimental to creativity and new ideas.

That’s why it’s important for employees to get away from their desks. Set up an inviting canteen or communal space that enables teams to enjoy their lunch together comfortably. You could also encourage employees to take a short walk outside for some fresh air. Changing environments, even if it’s for a few minutes, will keep employees feeling refreshed and more engaged with work.

5 – Be transparent with your team

Every workplace has its share of tough or challenging times every now and then. In these instances, it’s easy for morale to dip and for employees to grow anxious about their jobs. But while it may prove tempting to hide problems or avoid conversations with employees, this actually causes more harm than good. Most employees appreciate when management is open and transparent with them. This ensures everyone is on the same page and no one feels as if the company is trying to keep them in the dark about important decisions that will affect their livelihood. By being transparent, you also encourage open dialogues where employees feel part of the conversation and are able to contribute to finding solutions that will benefit everybody.

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