KMPH FOX 26 | Central San Joaquin Valley News SourceKeeping it Up: Morale in the Workplace

By Louise Bauer Davoli

Morale is frequently identified as a top concern in the workplace. Typical business objectives like quality, productivity, and customer loyalty are intricately linked with staff morale. We all can sense when morale is low but frequently struggle with an approach to boost morale.

Morale is a state of mind shaped mostly by employees' perceptions of their work, their managers, and the other people they engage with while working. It also includes how employees feel about the company itself. Morale is related to overall job satisfaction and directly impacts productivity. If morale is high, employees are less likely to complain, cause problems or quit.

As a company or organization, how serious are you about improving workplace morale? It's impossible to create a work experience with one-time tricks or gimmicks such as causal Fridays, employee appreciation day, or a new polo shirt with the company's logo embroidered on the front. Moving morale takes awareness, effort, and a long-term commitment. It takes a work experience where employees feel respected, valued, and appreciated. When employees feel like they are making a difference, a contribution, or are "players" within the company these attributes help to increase workplace morale.

Signs of Miniature Morale:

-Anything new
-Complaints/grievances
-Accidents
-Ask

Morale is an experiential matter and requires a sustained effort. The day-to-day encounters and experiences of the staff are the meat of morale. Saying thank you, prompt follow up with answers to the staff's questions are just two examples of the small things that matter for morale.

Moving Morale:

-Set the tone
-Authentic appreciation
-Communication
-Mirror

Additional approaches to moving morale include taking communication to the next level. Communicating about expectations, accountability, rewards and stress are aspects of the workplace where one could focus. Be fair and upfront with staff as to what the job requires them to do. Is everyone clear and on board with accountability expectations? Periodic review and discussions about accountability including tangible examples are essential to increased workplace morale. Reward and value are not always about money. Authentic caring, interest and concern demonstrated by and to each individual can provide simple rewards that will elevate morale.