In case you’ve been living under a rock, we’ve encountered some challenging economic times. The “new” economy is getting to everyone, including your employees. While you may not have the cash to offer a big raise or add other major benefits these days, there are nice little perks you can offer to raise employee morale.
Here is a list of small things you can do to make a big impact on the well being of your team:
Thanks
A sincere “thank you” can go a long way to improve employee morale. Everyone wants to feel valued and appreciated. Take time out to personally thank workers for a job well done, a great idea, or a nice customer service save. Blanket statements of thanks are disingenuous, but specific expressions of gratitude always feel good.
Food & Drink
Stock up on drinks and (healthy) snacks at your local discount store. It may seem too expensive, especially when you’re cutting corners, but this line item is a keeper. A full and happy stomach will prevent distractions and random trips to the corner store. And yes, they will take a few drinks for the trip home, but that’s a good thing.
Volunteer Time
Offer your employees a day off (with pay) every quarter to volunteer at a local charity with fellow workers. Service projects are a great bonding experience. Helping an organization gets the mind off work for a day — and gives people perspective so their own problems seem more manageable. They will come back to your office the next day with renewed enthusiasm.
Flexible Scheduling
Offer employees the option of setting their own schedules to suit what works best for them. With freedom to work when they are most productive you may actually reap benefits beyond improved morale. If you need employees to work specific hours, try flex scheduling one or two days a week.
Exercise Program
Exercise is a proven mood booster and stress reducer, so get your team moving. Start a walking program, allowing your staff to take an extra half-hour break each day to walk together. Or, if walking isn’t their thing, put up a basketball hoop in the parking lot so they can go blow off some steam.
A FINAL WORD
Implementing one or all of these suggestions will help keep your hardworking staff happy — and hard working.
