|
||
Here are five ways to improve workplace morale easily and inexpensively that will boost your team's performance and lower levels of tension and stress.
Install a Humor Board
Most every office has several memo boards for important work-related information, some pleasant, some not so pleasant. Install a memo board in a neutral location that is specifically for people to post jokes, cartoons, funny pictures or amusing anecdotes. This way everyone can get a little laugh after arriving for work on a dreary Monday morning.
Adopt Flextime Schedules
If possible, work out a way for employees to have more flexibility in their schedules. You may be surprised at the amount of stress that can be alleviated by this one thing. With daycares and households with two working parents, and possibly only one vehicle, this small move can be monumental to some people. Work out a schedule or system for employees to leave an hour early or come in an hour late on certain days. Alternate days and times so that everyone gets an opportunity to benefit if needed.
Get Away From It All
Hold meetings and conferences at a location away from the office if at all possible. A restaurant or local park would be a welcome alternative to a stuffy boardroom on a clear, spring day. People may be more alert and more receptive to the specifics of the meeting in another less stifling environment.
Share the Wealth
Offer employees incentives to "coach" their co-workers on their lunch or break times. Incentives could come in the form of paid time off, gift certificates to stores or restaurants, movie tickets or even small, simple mementos to show appreciation. This is a morale booster in a few ways; firstly, new or confused employees can glean valuable information from their more experienced colleagues and secondly, it may make the "coach" feel better about their job, themselves and their performance.
Offer Contests and Awards
Special days such as "Ugliest Outfit Day" or "Best Disguise Day" or "Funniest Story Day" can be a way to lighten the mood for a bit and encourage communication between employees. Offer "awards" which can be simple prizes and certificates given to the winners to display.
Boosting employee morale doesn't have to be expensive or involved. Even contagious cheerfulness on a regular basis can mean the difference between a dour workplace and a welcoming, productive one. Ask the employees for their ideas and listen to their thoughts. Work out a viable plan that will motivate them and make them more productive and happier at the same time.
If you are overburdened with tasks and know there is no way you can handle them all, one of the quickest and most effective stress relief tips is to have a quick meeting with your boss. Since your boss is probably busy with other duties, he or she may not be aware of all of the tasks you are expected to complete. If you approach you boss with the intent to inform rather than complain, there is a good chance that your boss will be willing to redistribute tasks, or hire additional help, to make sure that you stay focused and avoid burnout.
Coworker conflict can also be a significant source of workplace stress. There are times when it's necessary to work with people that you just don't like, for whatever reason. One of the best stress relief tips for this type of situation is to stop for just a minute, and imagine what the other person might be going through to make him or her act in a rude manner. Even if the other person is not able (or willing) to extend you the same courtesy, the act of practicing understanding toward a difficult coworker will free up the energy you would otherwise spend on disliking the person. You might even find that your colleague isn't so bad, after all.
One situation that can have a serious negative impact on your life is working in a passionless job. If you are lacking passion in the workplace, you likely feel stuck, bored, and resentful. You hate pulling into the parking lot every morning, and you constantly look at the clock to see if the day is over yet. If you have lost passion for your job, one of the most effective stress relief tips is to seek out additional responsibilities, or pursue opportunities in a different department.
Also, take some time to determine what has sapped your passion. Is it your workspace? Has the job become too easy? Have you developed other interests that you are not nurturing? Working through these questions will help you find ways of adjusting your work, or finding out what you really want to do, so that you can begin to banish work-related stress from your life.
These are just the tip of the iceberg. There are countless other tips and techniques on stress management in the workplace. You really can make your workplace a happier, more productive environment. The question is: what are you going to do about it, starting now?