Message #74205

[gee4]

Improving morale is about making people feel appreciated.  Is your boss not praising his staff for a job well done?  What's the reason behind it?

Does your company offer incentives?  Rewards?  Cash bonus?  It could be something your boss initiates in his own department even if it's not done throughout the company.  It could be done on a weekly or monthly basis eg. employee of the week/month.  Make it competitive.

I used to do this in a previous job where I made it a competition to see who could get their timesheets in first every week.  We agreed to name and shame anyone who came last.  It was a great incentive.  Every week I got asked, was mine first?

It can be something as simple as being friendly and interested in what your team are doing.  Do you have weekly team meetings?  We do.  In fact it's done throughout the company.  We learn what is going on in the business/department and it’s a chance to share what projects each of us are working on and what areas others can contribute or get involved.

It’s not always possible to create a pleasant working environment but if employees know they are safe and comfortable it goes a long way to improving morale.  Isolation on the other hand causes lack of motivation and therefore staff are less productive.

Does someone have a birthday soon?  Encourage the department to buy buns/cakes.  In previous companies I have worked if it was my birthday I brought in some goodies for the department to share.

Halloween and Christmas are just around the corner.  Is there anything you can do as a department to celebrate?  Are you having a Christmas lunch, dinner, night out?

These are only a few ideas but hopefully it will get you thinking.