Boosting Morale in the Workplace

How do you boost your staff morale?

by Helen Kitching

‘Man cannot live on bread alone.’ This is so true in life, and so much more today when people are moving from job to job seeking the perfect work/life balance.

To build morale within a workforce you need to instill pride and a feeling of team spirit. It may seem impossible in today’s workplace, especially in the hospitality industry, but this doesn’t have to be the case.

We’ve listed a few ideas to give you a hand in putting a smile on your workforce, and making them stronger and happier in their daily working lives, and making your business a happier place for your customers.

Recognition 

Everyone, old and young, needs a certain amount of recognition in their day to day lives, and in work this is no different. Why not have a monthly competition where staff members can vote for each other in an outstanding achievement award. This doesn’t have to cost the earth, just providing a gift voucher as a reward could be enough. Showing that you care about your staff and recognise the efforts they make in making your business a better place is worth so much to your staff and to your business.

Financial rewards 

Money talks – it’s a fact of life. If you reward outstanding work with bonuses, etc, you will probably find your staff productivity moves up a gear. Giving monetary incentives can be a great motivation, especially in the festive periods when consumer spending increases. If a staff member has contributed to a success in your business by suggesting an idea that has in turn created increased revenue, then reward them financially. That way everyone is a winner.

Communication

The combination of fear and ignorance is powerful, indeed, so keep your employees in the loop. Signs throughout staff areas, weekly meetings, open-door polices and regular visits with employees will help quell the rumours that are often damaging to staff morale.

Two-way internal communications help staff feel more involved in the business and its objectives, renewing enthusiasm in their own work.

In order to quell a negative working atmosphere, why not provide a suggestions box, allowing staff to anonymously (if they want) give suggestions for a more productive workplace, or to just get something off their chest? You will probably learn so much about your own business that you didn’t know, and as with everything, knowledge is a powerful tool when put to good use.

Personal Involvement

Don’t be afraid to tell a member of staff when they are doing something well. We are all too quick to criticise, but a quick word of encouragement here or there will be remembered and instil a sense of pride in the workplace. If you have to criticise, then always state your case in a positive light e.g. begin with a positive statement and end with a positive statement. Remember: constructive criticism is the key.

Create a team

Creating a team starts at the top, i.e. YOU, by bringing everyone together in pursuit of a common goal. Your staff want to be a part of something exciting, but you have to be the one to motivate the team and to bring them all together.

Why not suggest team building exercises or take your staff out for a meal, or a drink. By bringing your ‘team’ into an environment outside work you can create a positive atmosphere of people who are ‘in it together!’ This will feed back into the workplace creating a real sense of team spirit.

Your customers will pick up on a negative atmosphere, just as they will pick up on a positive one. Which one would you prefer in your business?

Sharing

Share your common vision of the business with all the staff. If we only operate with half the information we are only going to do a limited job. Your staff need to know what is fully expected of them. By sharing information about where your business is going and what you need from your staff to help get it there, you will instil a sense of pride and enthusiasm in your workforce by making them feel a part of your vision. By being open and honest your staff will respect you and feel personally responsible for their own actions.

Comfort

Providing comfortable working conditions can have an enormous effect on your staff morale. Are all areas clean and smell pleasant? Remember, if you have happy staff then you will usually have happy customers. Look at your business and see if it is a nice environment to work in day in and day out, and work out what improvements need to be made, if any.

There are so many ways to boost morale in the workplace, and these are probably the most widely used techniques. But remember, you have to care about your staff to make these things work. Enjoy your staff and take time to get to know them. They are the life blood of your business and they are on the front line dealing with your customers. Give them the tools they need to excel in their jobs and reward them for excellent service. After all, you wouldn’t have a business without them, would you?

 

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