Taking steps to boost workplace morale may do more than just make staff members feel happier; it may also help increase workplace productivity. When morale is high, people are typically far more motivated about getting their work done and often put 100-percent effort into it. There are many ways to boost workplace morale, including facilitating better communication, giving compliments, and making criticism constructive. Offering bonuses and decorating the office may help as well.
One way to boost workplace morale is to make communication easier. This may involve holding regular meetings through which coworkers can offer suggestions and voice concerns. Often, morale is lower when individuals feel that their voices are not heard or that they cannot speak up for fear of reprisal. Additionally, holding regular meetings may help staff members feel they are well informed about things that are going on with the company.
Another way to boost workplace morale is to ensure that staff members can communicate with each other effectively. This may mean providing easy ways for employees to contact their supervisors or get information from other departments. Taking such steps may help to not only clear the way for effective communication, but may also make collaborating on projects easier.
Often, taking care with compliments and criticisms also helps to boost workplace morale. Giving compliments about projects and tasks that have been handled well may help staff members to feel appreciated and develop a sense of pride in their work. On the other hand, delivering criticism constructively may not only boost workplace morale, but may also encourage staff members to use criticism to make improvements where they are needed.
Offering bonuses and perks may also help to boost workplace morale. While staff members may enjoy receiving verbal or written praise from supervisors, they may also appreciate having a reward system in place. This could involve setting up a system of monetary bonus awards or even planning weekly or monthly drawings for small prizes. For example, a company could enter the names of employees who were particularly productive, helpful, or creative in a given week. This way, an employee may receive a prize but also learn the specific behavior that led to his drawn entry.
Sometimes changing office decor may help to boost morale. Painting the walls with a color that lightens moods may help. Likewise, adding plants and accents may make the office environment more pleasant.
