No firm can function without the efforts of its employees. It’s the hard work and dedication of personnel that make the wheels of industry turn. And when people are happy in their roles, they tend to be more productive. An increasing number of companies are catching onto the simple truth that by boosting employee morale, they stand to reap a range of business benefits. If you’re keen to make sure your workers enjoy their jobs, you might benefit from following these five simple tips.
1. Take Advantage of Top-Quality Furnishings
All too often, office furniture is taken for granted by bosses. Many managers assume that as long as their employees have chairs to sit on and desks in front of them, everything’s automatically A-OK. In fact, if these products aren’t up-to-scratch, they can have a hugely negative impact on worker morale and well-being. Bear in mind that back pain is the leading cause of long-term sickness in the UK. As a matter of fact, it accounted for more than 15 million lost working days in 2013 alone. If you think your furnishings may not make the grade, it could be time to invest in new office chairs and other items. After all, when workers aren’t comfy, they can find it hard to concentrate. What’s more, back and neck pain can take its toll on their moods and general outlook.
It’s now easy to purchase top-quality furnishings, so there’s no excuse for relying on shoddy seats and dodgy desks.
2. Provide Opportunities to Unwind at Work
Employee morale might also get a boost if you provide your personnel with games. Of course, when they’re working, you’ll want them to devote their full attention to the tasks at hand. However, when they have a break, it’s important that they’re able to really relax and unwind. This can help to keep employees’ energy levels up, give colleagues a chance to bond and generally put a smile on people’s faces.
Forward-looking tech firms are leading the charge when it comes to recreation in the workplace. For example, web giant Google is renowned for offering its staff members games rooms complete with table football, pool, games consoles and more. Offering good break room services is another way to encourage some midday unwinding. Common break room amenities include tea and coffee services, as well as free snacks for employees.
3. Promote Worker Health and Well-Being
Healthy workers tend to be happy workers, so it pays off to promote employee well-being. There are a number of ways to do this. For example, if you have the space, you could provide a gym and showering facilities for your personnel. Busy workers often appreciate having the opportunity to hit the treadmill or lift some weights without having to take a long detour on the way to or from work. Cycle-to-work schemes can also help to improve employee morale. You might also want to consider offering your staff members healthy snacks, like pieces of fruit, for free.
4. Take the Time to Reward Success
A little encouragement can go a long way, and by taking the time to reward your workers for their successes, you stand to give employee morale a major boost. Make sure that all your employees are eligible for recognition, and provide incentives that matter to your staff members. For example, presenting your personnel with custom awards in front of their colleagues can give them a major confidence boost.
5. Watch for Signs of Stress
Stress is a major cause for concern in the modern workplace. According to the Health and Safety Executive, more than 400,000 people in the UK annually report work-related stress that they believe is making them ill. While some level of pressure can motivate employees, excessive stress can compromise their long-term health. It can also cause them to suffer palpitations, headaches, a loss of appetite and a range of other ill-effects.
Telltale signs include an increase in disputes among staff and a rise in worker turnover, definite markers for low employee morale. Also watch for an increase in complaints, raised sickness absence rates and poor performance. It’s not your duty to diagnose stress among your staff. However, by keeping a watchful eye out for the symptoms and stepping in when necessary, you can help to tackle the problem and keep your workers happy.