Team morale should be a concern for every employer. If you have a group of happy employees who enjoy coming to work on a daily basis, your business will reap the rewards. If you’re keen to boost morale and champion well being, here are some actionable steps to take.
Encourage feedback and take time to listen
As an employer, you might assume that you have a fairly good idea of how your employees feel about their jobs and their workplace, but have you actually asked them questions or encouraged them to give you feedback? It’s so valuable to take the time to talk to your employees and to listen to what they have to say. Try and create an environment that welcomes honesty and enables people to share ideas or voice concerns. If you do speak to team members, and there are issues, use the feedback to address problems and make positive changes. Open communication is vital within teams and between employers and employees.
Promote collaboration and socialization
Most of us have experience of working with colleagues that have made our days more enjoyable. It’s unlikely that an entire team will want to hang out together all the time, but promoting collaboration and encouraging socialization can help to strengthen ties and create a more inviting and friendly workspace. Get together on a regular basis to discuss group projects and make sure your employees have access to communal areas such as a co-working office space so that they can share opinions and ideas, provide updates and work together. Outside of office hours, go for a drink after work twice a month or plan a monthly outing to the theater or dinner out to celebrate birthdays or team achievements.
Make sure your employees feel respected and valued
When you work hard, it’s natural to want to feel like your dedication and commitment are recognized. As an employer, it’s critical to ensure that your staff members feel valued. Reward hard work, show your gratitude if people are putting in extra hours to hit a deadline and make sure rates of pay are competitive. Offer opportunities for employees to grow and progress and never take your star players for granted. If employees don’t feel like they’re appreciated, they may look elsewhere.
Champion health and well being
Employers have a duty to look after their staff, and this should go beyond adhering to the latest health and safety guidelines to prevent accidents. As the boss, there are several ways you can care for your team and champion health and wellbeing. Taking steps to increase flexibility and work towards a healthier work-life balance is incredibly important, and it’s also beneficial to understand potential risks. Work-related stress is one of the most common problems faced by employees today. It may not be possible to provide a totally stress-free environment for your team, but working with your employees to manage workloads, communicating openly with those who may be struggling and using initiatives that promote healthy living can all make a difference.
Happy employees are more productive and they’re also more likely to stay with you. If you’re keen to boost morale within your team, take these steps today.