When it comes to your staff, you very much get what you give. If you give them little, they will give you little back. To get the very best out of your staff, it’s vital that you do everything you can to boost their moral and provide them with a comfortable working environment.
There are a number of ways you can influence and increase happiness amongst your employees, and most of them require minimal effort. Here are five of the easiest ways you can boost employee morale in your office.
1. Provide Refreshments
Free food is always a win and there’s barely anyone who wouldn’t turn down the opportunity to indulge in a snack they haven’t had to buy. This is particularly true for office workers who are notoriously known for frequently grazing on snacks throughout the day. By providing refreshments for your employees it will show them that you care about their comfort and wellbeing throughout the day.
This is also a great way to promote healthy eating. In addition to things like biscuits and chocolate, you can provide healthier alternatives like fruit and nuts for those who want something less calorific to tide them over.
2. Change Décor
If your employee morale is low, it could be the actual office environment that is causing it. Things like the color of the paint on the walls and access to natural light can greatly influence how your employees feel. For example, humans are programmed to flourish in natural light, meaning if they’re in a dark office with little to no natural light, they likely won’t feel great due to eye strain and headaches.
Consider the layout of your office and how you can make the most of the light it receives by positioning desks closer to the window. Another think you can look at is maximizing the light you do get through light-colored paint and mirrors. If dead space is making your office feel clinical, consider filling it with refreshing décor like plants which will create a nicer ambiance.
3. Team Bonding
The majority of the week is spent at work which means it’s crucial your team gets along. Few businesses recognize just how big of an impact team bonding can have on the overall workplace. You need to make sure you do all you can to allow your employees to foster positive relationships with each other. Whether that’s through team nights out or dedicated team building days, you need to encourage your employees to get along one way or another.
If neither of the options above work for your company, look at how you can promote team building in the office through open break out areas and office facilities like a TV room or games console.
4. Regular Feedback
Many employees report feeling low at work because they don’t receive regular feedback. The stiff upper lip approach of not providing feedback often leads people to seek employment elsewhere. Positive reinforcement doesn’t equate to constant praise – it simply means taking a minute or two to tell your employees they’re doing a good job.
Make sure you stick to regular one-to-ones and performance reviews as it will allow both you and your staff to have an open conversation about how you think things are going and how you can move forwards. Opening a conversation about work can go a long way to boosting morale amongst your team.
5. Small Gestures
Sometimes, it’s the smallest things that have the biggest impact. Letting your team leave half an hour early on a Friday, bringing them in breakfast one day a month, or providing a small cake on their birthday can make them feel appreciated, and appreciation goes hand in hand with happiness and morale.
Will you be trying any of these easy gestures? Give them a go and see if they make a change to your office morale and mood.
