Everyone has heard the old adage, “a happy worker is a productive worker.” Yet, as well known as this proverb may be, some business owners and managers fail to recognize low morale as a cause of their employees’ poor performance. They’ll turn over every stone trying to find the elusive answer to why their employees aren’t making the grade, but they’ll often never even consider that maybe their workplace is suffering from low morale. It may seem counterintuitive to “reward” poorly performing employees with morale-boosting perks, but you may be surprised at just how effectively this strategy can produce results.

More often than not, workplaces suffer from low morale when employees don’t feel appreciated. It’s simple, really; employees who feel valued are more likely to go above and beyond to help their departments – and the company as a whole – succeed. Fortunately, showing employee appreciation is easier than you may think. Some of the most effective ways to show your employees that you’re grateful for their hard work include:

Food – The key to an employee’s heart might just be through their stomach. Show them that you appreciate all the hard work they’ve put in this week by rewarding them with donuts or bagels on Friday morning. Be sure to provide other goodies at the end of an especially arduous project or when a major deadline is met.

Money – While your organization may not be able to boost your entire team’s paychecks by hundreds or thousands of dollars, there are other ways to provide financial reward. Something as simple as a $10 gift card to the local coffeehouse can incentivize employees to step up their game. If the budget allows, you may even want to implement a monthly or quarterly bonus program that provides a modest reward for employees who meet a specified benchmark.

Time – Surely you remember your days as a cubicle dweller. As soon as a major deadline was met, your brain (sometimes quite literally) shut down, and there was a zero-percent chance that you would accomplish anything else for the rest of the day. You’re kidding yourself if you think your employees aren’t the same way. So, the next time a project is completed or a deadline is met, send your team home early that day. They’re guaranteed to appreciate it.

An open ear – Your employees will probably talk candidly with you about their complaints if you’d only open up the lines of communication. Your staff members probably don’t feel comfortable knocking on your door and saying, “Hey, Jim. You never thank me for my hard work and it drives me up the wall!” They will, however, feel a little more at ease if you simply ask if there’s anything they’d change about the company or the way its employees are managed. Be sure to let them know upfront that there’s no wrong answer and they won’t be “punished” for sharing their thoughts.

Oftentimes, it’s these small gestures that make all the difference. Sometimes, however, you may be required to take more drastic measures. If your employees are in need of a serious attitude adjustment, then you might want to consider planning an off-site retreat. Combine business with pleasure by offering practical workshops that focus on career advancement, for instance, as well as fun activities like a cocktail hour.

Keep in mind that no matter what you do, there will most likely always be some employees who will complain no matter what. If the above tactics fail to change these employees’ attitudes, then unfortunately, it may be necessary to reevaluate their worth to the company. More often than not, however, simple shows of appreciation will be all it takes to improve morale among your employees.

Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to business.

Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to business. http://www.inc.com/inc5000/profile/laser-spine-institute

Author Bio: Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to business.

Category: Business Management
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