Welcome back to work
Happy employees are the cornerstone of any successful business. When employees are engaged, motivated, and satisfied with their work, they are more likely to be productive and innovative, leading to greater success for the company. However, achieving a happy workforce is no easy feat.
According to a study conducted by LinkedIn employees may consider leaving their jobs after they have had a break from work. This phenomenon is often referred to as the “holiday effect” with nearly 1 in 4 workers in the UK (23%) have considered quitting their job after returning from a break, with 12% admitting to actively looking for a new job while on holiday.
How to boost staff morale?
The first step in boosting staff morale is acknowledging the holiday break and the effort put in by employees before the break. As business leader Richard Branson said: “It’s important to take time off and recharge your batteries.” By recognising the importance of work-life balance and showing gratitude for their hard work, employees will feel valued and appreciated.
Encouraging employees to share their experiences and thoughts about the holiday break is another important step. Communication is key to any successful relationship whether that relates to one’s personal or professional life. Creating an open communication channel to hear their feedback and suggestions on how to improve their work-life balance can help foster a culture of trust and respect.
Providing opportunities for social interaction and team-building activities after the holiday break is another effective way to boost staff morale. The best teams are those that work together and play together. By promoting a sense of community among team members, employees are more likely to feel invested in their work and motivated to succeed.
Offering incentives or rewards to employees who perform well after the holiday break is another effective strategy. It is a smart parenting tip I learned early on with two children under five – by rewarding success (good behaviour) I found it creating more of it! By recognising and celebrating employees’ achievements, you are reinforcing the value of hard work and motivating employees to strive for excellence.
Encouraging a healthy work-life balance is another important factor in boosting staff morale. A good work-life balance is crucial for success and happiness, even more so as many agency staff are working from home now. By promoting flexible work arrangements and setting realistic goals and expectations, you can help reduce stress and increase job satisfaction among employees.
Regularly checking in with employees is another essential step in understanding and boosting staff morale. By providing regular one-on-one meetings, performance evaluations, feedback sessions, and Pulse Check surveys, you are creating a culture of open communication and feedback. The key is to listen then act on that data to ensure the trust is built and maintained.
Fostering a positive work environment is also essential in boosting staff morale. Karen Brady, entrepreneur, and author said, “Inclusive, diverse cultures are better for business – they drive innovation, creativity, and results.” By promoting inclusivity and diversity, you are creating a work environment where employees feel valued and respected.
Providing opportunities for employees to take breaks throughout the workday is another effective strategy. We need to accept that we won’t always make the right decisions, but it is how we handle those mistakes that are key. By encouraging employees to step away from their screens and take a break, you can help reduce stress and increase confidence and resilience to handle stuff when it goes pear shaped.
Celebrating employees’ achievements is another important step in boosting staff morale. I have always maintained it is really important to celebrate your successes. And notice and learn from mistakes. By recognising and celebrating employees’ achievements, you reinforce the value of hard work and motivate employees to continue striving for excellence.
Encouraging a culture of learning and development is also essential in boosting staff morale. Stretch your team, give them appropriate new responsibilities, and co-create a vision for each and every one of your people. By providing opportunities for employees to learn new skills, take on new challenges, and participate in cross-functional projects, you create a culture of growth and development.