8 Ways to Boost Office Morale

Happy employees = happy workplace = successful business operations. Though efficiency and productivity are key in running a smooth show, low office morale means a miserable existence for employees. And a sad employee means low quality work. Now, who wants that? Not you.

Among all the other priorities you may have as a boss, department head, manager, whatever your title may be, boosting office morale should be high on your list. Don't turn your office into a party store or a night club. These are professional adults you're working with, and though everyone deserves to have fun, you are there to work. But a few team-building exercises here and there and frequent positive reinforcement can easily do the trick.

8 Ways to Boost Office Morale

As a superior, it is up to you to set the mood. This being the case, yes, your actions do determine how high morale is. If you're constantly yelling at your employees, ignoring their needs, or not encouraging them to perform well, don't expect a pleasant atmosphere.

So let's consider how you can boost office morale!

1. Train Regularly

An employee who has no idea what their job entails will lose interest in their work. Additionally, when you add new job requirements without any training, your staff won't necessarily be happy. Complaining, confused employees does not build trust and can significantly lower morale in the office.

Avoid this by ensuring that you train new hires thoroughly. Do not assume that their previous experience will give them the skills you need them to have. Use your HR department to train existing staff on new requirements. HR will also review office protocol every once in a while. This will define boundaries and open up the floor to questions. Training not only brings your staff up to speed with any new developments, but it will give them skills that they previously did not have.

2. Encourage Ownership

Allowing employees to have autonomy over their position boosts their morale significantly. Encourage ownership over their work. Not interfering or micromanaging builds trust. Likewise, when you encourage autonomy, accountability shifts from you to them, which makes them work smarter.

Another way of building autonomy is by encouraging feedback and implementing great ideas that come from your staff. In the same way, use any mistakes your staff makes as a learning tool rather than an opportunity to tear them down.

3. Appreciate Small and Big Wins

Acknowledge and appreciate your employee's efforts. Recognize any small or big wins either publicly or in person. A congratulatory email sent to them and copied to their supervisors, and team members goes a long way in boosting their morale.

You could also celebrate wins either monthly or quarterly, depending on how you set up your business. Avoid comparing these wins, though. You do not want to foster unhealthy competition. Instead, use them as a leveraging tool to promote teamwork and goals in the office.

Above all, the focus of this exercise should be to commend the staff for their hard work.

4. Keep Communication Lines Open

If possible, have an open-door policy in your office. This means that any employee can walk into your office to seek advice without needing an appointment. Keeping these lines of communication open creates a comfortable atmosphere where your staff can ask questions and offer suggestions professionally. While protocol is important in any professional setting, it should not hinder communication, as this will really lower your office morale.

5. Encourage Interpersonal Relationships

You've hired people from all walks of life and maybe even different cultures. There could be a tendency for people with the same belief system and way of doing things to flock together. To avoid this from happening, create opportunities for different people to work together in teams. Give assignments to different people whose strengths complement each other, even if their backgrounds are different.

You can also arrange to have a professional team-building session every once in a while to get your staff working, laughing, and problem-solving with each other. You can even choose to hold a team-building exercise outside of the office, giving staff a welcome change of scenery.

6. Collect and Act on Employee Feedback

It is one thing to ask employees to give their feedback on certain aspects of the office, and it is quite another to actually act on this feedback. Do not collect feedback without planning to respond appropriately. Encourage your employees to give feedback in an environment that is not harsh or vindictive. Make it your purpose to respond to each of the suggestions that you receive. This will give your staff a feeling of belonging and will boost their confidence levels greatly.

7. Be Flexible

Your office environment should not be rigid. Incorporate flexible routines that your employees can use every once in a while. One of the best solutions is to let your employees work remotely at least once a week if their job allows them to. In fact, you can turn this on its head and give your staff the freedom to work from home all week apart from one day where they must commute to the office. Try this and notice how energized and productive your employees will suddenly become.

8. Provide All the Support They Need

Working in an office that you have not fully equipped can be really frustrating for everyone involved. Having printers that are constantly jamming or an internet connection that keeps fluctuating can really put a damper on anyone's day. Ensure that your office has all the equipment that it needs for a smooth working experience for your staff. Items such as furniture that is rickety or uncomfortable are one of the most overlooked. Invest in some standing desks or lumbar supports for employees with certain physical needs.

Finally

Your office employees are more than just cogs in the wheel of your business. They have needs in the office that exceed tech support for their computer or a shiny new piece of equipment. They need you to keep them motivated and morale high.