As more of our communities reopen in 2021, we know we’ll all be facing a variety of new challenges. With an ongoing employee shortage, businesses need to take stock of their current employees’ morale -- and take steps to maximize it. Employee morale, defined by Forbes as “…the attitude, satisfaction, and overall outlook of employees,” is incredibly important to the well-being of both a business and its workers.
Working in the service industry during a pandemic has proved to be incredibly difficult, in particular, even as we begin seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. A combination of increased mental and physical fatigue, anxiety about getting sick, having to enforce mask rules, and dealing with disrespectful patrons continues to put strain on workers.
To stay in business in this climate, employers need to make staff satisfaction a priority.
How is this accomplished, exactly? One exemplary local business, Bobcat Bonnie’s, decided to shut down all of their locations to give employees a paid week off. Here are a few other ideas for ways to show appreciation for your hard-working employees:
- Ensuring a positive, safe workplace environment
After all the stress and anxiety of the last year, the last thing anyone needs is a hostile work environment. Businesses can build healthy workplace cultures by making sure all managerial interactions include positivity and compassion. Constructive feedback, empathy for what fellow workers experience, and ensuring that everyone feels valued all help companies maintain a healthy work culture.
2. Making sure employees feel comfortable about calling in sick
Although many businesses find themselves facing the problems of low staffing now, employees should still feel safe calling in sick. Covid-19 and other illnesses still exist, and exhaustion can increase the risk of catching them. Your employees need to know they’re able to take a day off to care for themselves, mentally and physically. If they come to work sick because they feel uncomfortable calling in, it risks the health of other staff and your patrons, too.
3. Asking for feedback
Business-owners need to keep a finger on the pulse of employees’ morale. They need to know how people feel about their jobs and remain receptive to new ideas. Employers can get feedback through anonymous surveys, feedback jars, and by simply asking. After receiving this information, the company should implement or at least acknowledge it immediately, so the business can keep improving.
4. Hosting informal social events
The bond between fellow employees and with management is key, leading to more creativity and openness in sharing ideas. It makes people feel safe and valued, and improves interactions in the workplace. One way to foster this bond is offering safe, non-mandatory activities, which might include hosting dinners for workers, spending time at a park and providing food and drinks, or taking everyone on a hike. How people interact when they’re off the clock can have great importance to workplace morale. Gaining a better understanding of one another can only benefit workplace interactions.
5. Providing quality health coverage
Health coverage is a crucial part of making employees feel taken care of. The bottom line is that if people struggle with healthcare costs for themselves and their families, they will likely look for other work. Providing benefits attracts and retains better talent, helps employees feel more secure and happy about working, and generally improves their lives, as well as that of their families. Contact HealthChoice of Michigan to learn more about how you can take care of your valued employees with affordable, quality coverage in metro Detroit.