If employees are engaged and invested in their roles and the company they work for, it can impact productivity, efficiency and loyalty. However, there are some actions employers and managers can take to boost workforce morale in difficult times. The London office of the global law firm King & Spalding has introduced a virtual drinks trolley on Friday afternoon, while the attorneys at Osborne Clarke have a virtual lunch they call “vunch.” Is vunch the new brunch? In this environment, remember one thing: If you take care of your employees, they will take care of you.”. Here are examples of survey statements you might ask your employees to rate on a scale that runs from strongly disagree to strongly agree: It's also important to include an open-ended question for employees to provide additional details, such as: "What would make you feel more supported right now?”, “The secret here,” Justin says, “is not a perfect set of survey questions. . Once change has happened and you’re reasonably certain you’re coming to the end – bend over backwards. We even have a daily 15-minute online staff quiz. I feel well supported by my employer at this time. It’s hard to quantify. We’ve also been regularly sending out materials on wellbeing & contacts of who to speak to both internal & external should they feel the need to. Be as open, honest, transparent and forthright as you can be. It is very important to strengthen and lift the morale of employees in these unprecedented situations. Consider sending out a pulse survey with just a few questions to get a read on how your workforce is faring. . The company crowdsourced 260,000 employees, asking them to “name one process that stops you from getting things done fast.” (At Pepsi, it turned out to be the performance management process.) Afterwards keep talking to your staff. This can help in keeping goals aligned and teams motivated. How leaders can assess morale, even when everyone's remote. Modern cloud-based, data-driven recruiting software powered by Human Intelligence Hiring™ ... It’s hard to quantify. Right now, that’s your people. It’s very easy for employee morale to be low right now. Managers have had to adapt to managing their teams differently, and they will also have their own personal challenges. The main concern right now for employees is uncertainty. Justin sees this as one of the critical things companies can ask managers to do to send a clear message. In times where the job market is so uncertain, a move like this is bound to boost employee morale by leaps and bounds. Motivation and Increased employee morale can change people ability to work and perform. COVID-19 has significantly changed the way we work, and these changes will continue to shape the workplace environment.Â. If managers can gain gauge morale, it will be easier to consider what needs to be put in place to increase engagement to retain current morale. One of the simplest but most effective ways to maintain motivation and morale in difficult circumstances is to make sure that people feel valued and appreciated, and that their extra efforts are recognized and acknowledged in other ways. Meetings or one-on-ones using videoconferencing platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Google Hangouts, or Skype are an obvious way to do this. Customer satisfaction surveys can identify/rate how happy the employees currently are, although, conversations with the employees about what else could make them be happier/feel more supported will make them more grateful and engaged. Before coronavirus, most companies or work teams had regularly scheduled social activities they turned to for bonding. Many factors can affect morale, including leadership, manager and peer support, work environment, trust, culture and how valued employees feel. Ask each team member to start an inspirational quote board. We’re going to share ten tips you can use to improve employee morale during difficult times. It’s hard to maintain staff morale during these uncertain times for HR, business leaders and managers. It’s an idea worth borrowing. Make work fun. The other is just for general banter and jokes. Google is showing its flexibility by postponing employee reviews. And if your company has a program that matches employee donations to nonprofits, now is the ideal time for a callout of that benefit. There has been a lot of talk recently of how productive staff are with home working versus office, but not as much surrounding their mental health of being isolated at home – this is some of the feedback I have received from my clients. Therefore, businesses must look to increase employee satisfaction and engagement to improve productivity and lower costs. Currently, with so much change in the way employees are working, businesses must update their people about the potential return to work options, health and safety measures in the workplace and other business-related issues that affect employees. Thank you to all the contributors for sharing your very helpful insights! The main thing that has been our mantra during lockdown is being wholly flexible with our staff in relation to their individual requirements. Not with cake and champagne, but sharing  with the team. With a view of bringing our employees back in the near future, we’ve also arranged for each of them to undergo e-learning courses to refresh their knowledge on their expertise & also on the day to day policies we have in place. In a resilient culture, you get managers in the habit of checking in with their people. Focus on breathing, go for a brief walk outdoors, get up and stretch, listen to three of your favorite songs, etc. had fewer one-to-ones in lockdown, and 38% reported that the frequency of their manager one-to-ones had significantly dropped. Uncertainty that their role might change, uncertainty about whether they can help ‘their’ company through this difficult time and, perhaps most prevalent, uncertainty that they will keep their job. He sent a memo (via Slack, of course) telling employees: “We got this. I have the resources I need to do my job. Every employee in every company wants to feel valued and appreciated. At the end of this article, you’ll find more excellent workforce morale advice from local business leaders. “Tell them to take one thing off everybody’s plate,” Justin says, “as opposed to don’t put any more on.”. It is more effective to identify the behavior … “Tell them to take one thing off everybody’s plate,” Justin says, “as opposed to don’t put any more on.”. Employee morale will be fundamental to carrying businesses through these difficult times and these are some of the simplest ways to ensure that it remains high. After the turmoil of furlough and the changing face of many businesses we are all having to adapt which inevitably leads to changes in roles and responsibilities.  This can be unsettling and a review with staff to redefine their position and reassure them that it is secure and gain feedback from them to ensure they are comfortable with the changes can help to lift morale and establish a new focus. Deloitte’s 2017 Volunteerism Survey found that 89% of workers believe such programs create a better work environment and 74% think they strengthen everyone’s sense of purpose. We have continued these throughout lockdown with innovative ideas, such as an 80s Quiz Night and a Murder Mystery – complete with fancy dress! For those who have worked throughout, we have given additional leave to be used for long weekends in order to recharge batteries and to be a token of appreciation of efforts. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. “It’s the same concept in combat,” Justin says, “where soldiers will take a knee so they can catch their breath and reconsider their situation.”, Another way to get more focused on what’s important is to let unimportant tasks and assignments go. Some employees will have managed their job around childcare, and others may have worked different hours. We keep in touch with them regularly. Team socials have always been essential to our team cohesiveness and sense of fun and unity. Astute leaders therefore create opportunities for discussion. It is fine to take time out when you need it.”. Learn 10 important keys for before, during, and after a layoff to keep office morale and productivity high. “Blocking off time on your calendar daily to do the things that you need to do to stay happy and healthy is more important now than ever,” writes Erica Lockheimer, the VP of engineering for LinkedIn Learning. Uber Eats donated 300,000 meals to first responders and healthcare workers, and MGM Resorts provided tons of food to the communities in which it operates. . As Josh Bersin says, take care of them now and they’ll take care of you later. U-Haul offered 30 days of free storage to college students who may have been kicked out of their dorms. And many companies are encouraging work teams to use a chat tool like Slack, Twist, or Teams to talk, to check in, and to share anything that keeps them feeling connected — photos (pets and kids particularly welcome), recipes, playlists, Netflix recommendations. How To Boost Employee Morale During Difficult Times [Free Top 10 Tips Checklist] It’s no easy feat to achieve high employee morale. So, things like taking time to reflect on what’s important is especially critical right now.”. It’s vital that each employee knows the business strategy and mission and how they and their job can contribute. Provide unprecedented flexibility to your employees. Some companies may send small gifts to an individual’s home to show thanks for a job well done, or there may be company ‘Shout out’ initiatives to recognise performance or attitude. Keep it short. All decisions have been based on business needs rather than the perceived financial savings. Start by talking to your staff. Happy employees are productive employees. Take care of yourselves, take care of your families, be a good partner. We have also been making personal phone calls to all on furlough each month to update them on our situation. (I would fully recommend using Perkbox for this). Children, parents and other family factors are vital to our employees’ wellbeing and ability to work. This can be done company-wide using tools such as employee satisfaction or pulse surveys, which gather employee feedback anonymously. Managers have had to adapt to managing their teams differently, and they will also have their own personal challenges. “If you’ve got to take care of your family,” Justin says, “take care of your family.”, And employees should also feel permission to take care of themselves. Employees should be informed about business achievements and change so that they are invested in their employer, but also feel part of the company they work for.Â. All have valid concerns and questions. Here are 7 ideas to appreciate and inspire your employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Huge, another creative agency, has transformed its Wednesday lunchtime runs into virtual events at which colleagues share selfies and videos of their neighborhoods. As lockdown eases, face-to-face offsite team building is becoming a closer reality, however in larger groups, or teams where not all members can meet in person, virtual team building can build morale and engagement.Â. believed that employee morale was higher than it was before COVID-19. A scheme could be introduced where team members praise each other once a week or month so that morale comes from teammates as well as management.Â. In the vein of making work life more manageable and elevating employee morale, PepsiCo introduced the Process Shredder. One employee leaving the company damages other staff members’ morale and productivity, but by recognizing good work you encourage people to stay even when things are hard. He suggests framing this as something to do, rather than as something to avoid. Areas that require improvement must have action plans in place.Â, Managers can also gather employee feedback from regular one-to-ones with team members. May 8th, 2020. Make your CEO more visible.During tough times the top leaders need to be highly visible to help excite your employees and to look like leaders. Listen attentively. But if you had good workforce morale before coronavirus interrupted your business, you already know how to produce it. To safely discipline an employee and avoid legal repercussions for unfair labor practices, you need to communicate or show how his behavior or performance violates company policy, according to a June 2012 Business Management Daily article. There are two types of employees to be found in this new normal. Communicate with them at all times. I am satisfied with my employer's response to the COVID-19 situation. If you’d like a little help or just an independent outside perspective on how to put these 10 tips into action. Employee recognition is vital, especially during a crisis. Once the company has the staff input, it should be reviewed and communicated to employees. “People just appreciate being heard,” Justin says. Again, managers should share successes and achievements and be clear about the next steps and team and company objectives. People are working at home when they have never done it before. A recent survey showed. Companies that can sustain employee morale while coronavirus disrupts their business will be better off than those who watch it vanish. In general, it is tough to simply say, "You have a bad attitude." Shutterstock. Putting out messages on the important group lets staff respond and for others to share their issues. Employee morale isn’t like widgets, which you can count as they drop off the assembly line. While adopting to the new normal, companies have to take a lot of factors into consideration in order to maintain employee productivity and morale in COVID times. Companies, of course, can set the stage for community service by modeling good civic spirit. Employers must ensure that they are looking after line managers during COVID-19 and offer praise and appreciation to support their wellbeing. Connect employees to the community. Often, it’s small things that can raise morale. Spirits distilleries from the Bay Area to the United Kingdom have also turned their focus to hand sanitizers. We are celebrating victories. “How do we help people connect when they’re socially distanced?”, Connection starts with communication, and communication starts with listening. No company can simply make adjustments on the factory floor and start producing strong employee morale. There is a lot that companies can do beyond hosting a Teams “water cooler.” For example, the London-based digital marketing firm Incubeta has instituted a five-minute virtual dance party every afternoon. For instance, a leading paint company announced annual appraisals for all employees during these turbulent times. instituted a five-minute virtual dance party, Apple, Salesforce, Facebook, and Johnson & Johnson all donated masks, offered 30 days of free storage to college students, produce ventilators, respirators, and face shields. One is for important communications to staff and for staff to chat about work related issues. Employees need to understand where they fit into the company. It is important that you keep morale high and engage your staff so they stick around during the hard times. Without good morale, employees are unengaged and unmotivated in their jobs. Keep communication open. 9 ways to maintain staff morale in a remote work environment 1. “People don’t need leaders to have a crystal ball right now.”. One of the simplest ways to maintain morale is to make sure that people feel valued and appreciated. Remind everyone regularly about the direction of the department and organisation in the longer term and the potential opportunities that will be created. The old adage of ‘No surprises’ is relevant when looking to keep morale high. Show a real human side to staff by engaging personally and asking about. They might also be an opportunity for employees to introduce the team to their pet or home office, which can be a light-hearted way to build a team and encourage bonding. Your policy manual is a critical guide to an effective reprimand. Regular communication has been key in ensuring all staff understand the rationale as to why certain members have been retained and why some have been furloughed. . “It’s very simple, right,” Justin says. by | Jan 17, 2021 | Uncategorized | 0 comments | Jan 17, 2021 | Uncategorized | 0 comments While it’s crucial for managers to focus on their teams during difficult times, they also need support to boost their morale and prevent stress or burn out. It may not be a good time for the company, but you will still want to pay attention to who is … The remaining staff will be brought back when the demand for work in their area increases. These engaging techniques can help in conversations with employees in other areas of the business e.g. investment in staff. For us at Lewis-Manning Hospice Care it has been important to listen to our staff and how they are feeling both for those who have worked through the pandemic and those that are coming out of furlough. 8 Ways to Boost Morale During Tough Times. Keep communicating to build buy-in. The fluidity of the current situation — social distancing, WFH, shelter in place, essential/nonessential work — demands flexibility from both companies and employees. Probably for the best. As many employees continue to work from home, and some gradually return to the workplace, it may become more challenging to maintain morale. Yes, we do have cake on employee’s birthday. “For teams that would’ve had happy hours on a regular basis,” Justin says, “continue to do those and do them virtually.”. Transparency is always a best practice, but it … Recognize employees' contributions and hard work during times of crisis. When we all help and encourage each other, we all win. anxiety. Download Your Free Employee Morale Checklist, 10 Tips To Help You To Boost Employee Morale During Difficult Times, While it’s crucial for managers to focus on their teams during difficult times, they also need support to boost their morale and prevent stress or burn out. So, now is actually the ideal time to consider what work is nonessential — and let it go. Here's how to keep your team's productivity up during these difficult times! 17 Ways to Boost Employee Morale During COVID-19 That Aren’t Happy Hours. We have focused on listening, putting in place clear communications and developing health and wellbeing initiatives to help staff feel valued and to help them cope with the changes in the new environment that we are working in. He suggests framing this as something to do, rather than as something to avoid. Who can blame people for being frustrated? You’ve hired intelligent adults, treat them like it 🙂. As employees work remotely, it’s easy for them to lose sight of the bigger company, so management must remind them how the business is performing and how they and their team are contributing.Â, With an increased number of the UK workforce working from home during COVID-19, it has created the challenge of ensuring morale from a distance. Often, it’s small things that can raise morale.