How to Boost Employee Morale

Employee morale is important for your employees, but it also has a big impact on business. Gallup’s 2017 State of the American Workplace report says that business units with highly engaged employees achieve a 20% increase in sales, leading to 21% greater profitability.

Yet only 1 out of 3 (33%) U.S. employees are engaged at work, compared to 70% of employees at the world’s best organizations.

So, how can you boost your employee morale to the levels of a world-class organization?

6 Easy Ways to Boost Employee Morale

1. Tap Into Your “Why”
   Employees want to feel they’re part of something bigger. It’s important to your company’s success overall and communicating it to employees will help them connect to your larger purpose.In fact, Gallup says employees who can link their goals to those of their organization are 3.5 times more likely to be engaged, but only 44% of employees feel this connection today.
2. Create Open and Positive Feedback Loops
   Positive feedback loops are the core of any relationship. Frequent communication and an honest request for feedback gives employees an outlet not just to gripe, but to help find solutions when things go wrong, as they inevitably will.The same goes for giving employees feedback. Another Gallup study found that managers account for 70% of variance in employee engagement. Every manager has a big impact on employee engagement, but not every manager knows how to engage employees in a positive way. Train all your managers to use positive and encouraging feedback loops and you’ll boost morale.
3. Offer Professional Development Opportunities
   According to a recent survey, 91% of Gen Z workers (born 1990-1999) consider professional training an important factor when choosing an employer. Employees feel better about their work when they’re able to grow and learn through it.Show your appreciation by showing you take your employees’ long-term needs into account. This means providing opportunities for personal and professional growth, promoting from within, offering formal training, and encouraging information sharing across departments.
4. Think Outside the Box with Benefits
   Employees can’t focus on their work when they’re worried about their health. Not all companies can offer competitive benefits packages, but all companies can provide small ways to help employees maintain a good work-life balance. Think free massages, flexible work solutions or a wellness program.The Corporate Executive Board found that employees who believe they have good work-life balance work 21% harder than those that don’t.
5. Play Together to Stay Together
   Studies show that happier employees are more engaged and productive in the workplace. Celebrations, parties and outings are a great way to keep the work environment fun. It rewards employees for their hard work by allowing them to share in the fruits of their labor.These activities also help employees bond. They get to see each other in a different light and enjoy each other’s company without worrying about work.
6. Build and Defend a Positive Work Culture
   A positive work culture can be hard to create, but easy to ruin. So many factors go into it, like individual upbringing and social contexts. But, according to Forbes, the strategic organization of a business can go a long way to building a positive work culture.What does that look like? First, establish your core values. Then, help spread those core values through collaboration and communication. Finally, respond quickly to bad behavior that violates your values. This will show employees you have their back and are serious about cultivating a positive work culture.

There’s no single solution that will boost employee morale, but it’s most important to make your employees feel they have a meaningful impact on your business. Because the truth is, they do. Remember that, and commit to taking these steps, and you’ll see a change for the better.