Productivity can be directly connected to morale. This is especially true when you are working from home which can often feel tiresome or distracting. If your employees are transitioning to a remote position for the first time, things can be difficult at first as everyone adjusts to the lack of in-person communication and company drive. During the current pandemic, working from home can leave employees feeling stressed out and isolated.
Managers have to be concerned about the overall employee morale. Low employee morale negatively impacts output and causes operation costs to increase. This can eventually lead to a high rate of staff turnover. Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do to help enhance worker optimism. The following are ways in which you can boost morale while working from home.
Establish Goals and Outline Clear Objectives
One way to boost morale is to establish goals. Many people feel overwhelmed while working from home. Employees should understand what is expected of them daily, while remote working. Outlining the daily or weekly objectives and establishing goals, gives employees something to work towards and also helps to define their role.
In order to keep your employees connected, make sure that they are working towards a common goal. Keeping your employees engaged can help fill the physical void that they may experience while working at home. Having clearly defined goals and objectives can help improve worker relationships, establish trust and foster a true sense of worker community, despite remote employment.
Get Feedback
Getting feedback is an easy way to help boost morale. It shows that the company values employee contributions. Be sure to act on the suggestions once you receive feedback. Research shows that employees who don’t receive the feedback they need to grow, eventually start to disengage from their work.
Establish A Recognition Program and Use Incentives
As a manager, you can boost employee morale by starting a recognition program. One of the best ways to give your employees a boost is to support them and recognize their contributions. By acknowledging your employees, you motivate them to continue doing their jobs. Consider creating quarterly rewards programs to recognize your employees for their hard work, especially while working remotely.
Working remotely may cause your employees to feel that things are stagnant. Use the current situation to create employee incentives. This will help boost morale and lead to higher ROI for your company because your employees will be motivated to develop new skills.
Take Breaks and Exercise
Take breaks during the day to stay focused and remain energetic. Try to eat your meals away from your home office as that will help you recharge mentally. Encourage employees to take time to enjoy some fresh air.
Exercising can also help boost morale. Exercising helps strengthen your body and prevents you from feeling sluggish. Going for a walk and stretching can help improve your immune system and your mental health. Use the time that would normally be used to commute to enjoy a quick workout.
This is a unique time for many workers who are transitioning to remote employment. Use these tools to keep employees feeling refreshed while they work from home and engaged in company morale. For more information on hiring and retaining a healthy team for your business, contact the Economic Development Collaborative. Conveniently located in Camarillo, California, we’re here to help.
