Tips on Boosting Employee Morale

Employees want to feel appreciated.Ryouchin/Digital Vision/Getty Images

If you are the manager of a business full of complaining, demoralized and inefficient employees, there are things you can do to change the situation. Recognize that, while every organization has its share of malingerers, a lot of employee dissatisfaction is justified. See things from the point of view of your workers, take steps to work together to resolve issues, and you may be surprised at how much things improve.

Listen to Employees

Taking the ideas and suggestions of employees seriously is essential to maintaining good morale in the workplace. When employees request greater autonomy in areas such as break times, flexible work hours, or individual versus team projects, your first instinct should be to let them do what they want unless there is a specific reason not to. Happy employees are productive employees, so don't cramp their style through authoritarianism. While management is important for keeping the firm on track in the long term, employees are the ones doing the actual work, and ignoring their concerns, or their insights into what could make the business better, is a good way to damage your own interests.

While some employees enjoy their jobs and others hate their jobs, the fact is that most people come to work for the pay. Share the wealth of the company fairly and generously with your staff, and they will reward you. Good pay increases employee morale, and profit-sharing programs give workers a reason to work hard. Don't just offer a token in the hopes that this will win workers' loyalty without costing you anything; most people will see through this ploy and it will probably just create resentment. Managers who truly understand that their success is dependent on their employees will share the wealth that their employees have created, and this act will help to generate a company-wide solidarity that will lead to increased profits for everyone.

A surprising number of employers and managers fail to communicate with their staff in any ongoing or meaningful way. If you want to increase the morale of your employees, arrange a one-on-one interview between you and each staff member at least every couple of months. Don't do much talking, just listen to what they have to say. Take notes. Over time and through multiple interviews, themes will emerge and give you an idea of what the staff as a whole likes and dislikes. In addition, hold regular company meetings where you inform everything about what the company is up to, including its financial status and future plans. Being in the know gives employees a sense of inclusion and empowerment that will help to develop a feeling of ownership of the company.