Something that’s difficult to tangibly measure is morale. Someone’s morale plays a huge part in many aspects of life, and work is no different. Those with high morale are not only more engaged and motivated, but they also tend to produce better quality work. In this blog, we’ll explore the science behind employee morale, backed by scientific data, and provide actionable strategies for boosting morale in the workplace.
Numerous studies have shown a clear link between employee morale and job performance. Research published in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that employees with higher morale are more likely to exhibit positive attitudes, higher job satisfaction, and increased job performance. Furthermore, a study conducted by Gallup revealed that companies with highly engaged employees experience 21% higher profitability.
The morale of an employee also directly impacts the quality of their work in several ways. When employees feel valued, appreciated, and supported in the workplace, they are more likely to feel motivated and perform at their best. High morale fosters a positive work environment where employees are more willing to collaborate, take initiative, and outdo themselves to achieve shared goals. The other side of this is low morale. Having a low morale can lead to disengagement, absenteeism, and decreased productivity, ultimately impacting the quality of work produced.
It’s clear from evidence that having happy employees result in greater work production, and generally makes a workplace a more inviting and positive space. Here are some ways the improve workplace morale:
1. Promote Open Communication: Encourage regular communication between employees and management to foster trust and transparency in the workplace. Provide opportunities for employees to voice their concerns, share feedback, and contribute ideas. Taking this further, you can use software such as MS Teams or Slack to have a more casual talking space utilising group chats. It can also be fun to dedicate channels to sharing jokes, topics aside from work, and even memes!
2. Recognize and Appreciate: Show appreciation for employees' contributions and achievements through regular recognition programs, employee appreciation events, and personalized gestures of gratitude. Showing gratitude for a great piece of work goes a long way to boosting morale and helping someone feel appreciated for their hard work.
3. Provide Opportunities for Growth: Invest in employee development and career growth opportunities, such as training programs, mentorship initiatives, and advancement pathways. Employees are more likely to feel motivated and engaged when they see a clear path for their professional development. This also demonstrates your confidence in their ability which can further boost morale.
4. Foster a Positive Work Environment: Create a supportive and inclusive work culture where employees feel valued, respected, and empowered. Promote work-life balance, prioritize employee well-being, and celebrate diversity and inclusion. This can be done by ensuring employees aren’t working crazy hours, or by hosting an office party or day out to help your employees step away from the computer and bond as a team.
5. Offer Flexible Work Arrangements: Provide flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options, flexible hours, and compressed workweeks, to accommodate employees' individual needs and preferences. Flexibility can improve morale by reducing stress and promoting work-life balance. This is especially helpful for individuals such as parents or carers where being able to work at home means they can still care for their kids/loved ones.
6. Lead by Example: Demonstrate leadership qualities that inspire trust, confidence, and positivity among employees. Lead by example, embodying the values and behaviours you want to see in your team.
Overall, the science is clear – happy employees produce better work. By prioritising employee morale and implementing these strategies you’re not only creating a workplace employees feel comfortable and happy at, but you’re also unlocking higher levels of productivity, creativity, and performance in your workplace.
Something that’s difficult to tangibly measure is morale. Someone’s morale plays a huge part in many aspects of life, and work is no different. Those with high morale are not only more engaged and motivated, but they also tend to produce better quality work. In this blog, we’ll explore the science behind employee morale, backed by scientific data, and provide actionable strategies for boosting morale in the workplace.
Numerous studies have shown a clear link between employee morale and job performance. Research published in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that employees with higher morale are more likely to exhibit positive attitudes, higher job satisfaction, and increased job performance. Furthermore, a study conducted by Gallup revealed that companies with highly engaged employees experience 21% higher profitability.
The morale of an employee also directly impacts the quality of their work in several ways. When employees feel valued, appreciated, and supported in the workplace, they are more likely to feel motivated and perform at their best. High morale fosters a positive work environment where employees are more willing to collaborate, take initiative, and outdo themselves to achieve shared goals. The other side of this is low morale. Having a low morale can lead to disengagement, absenteeism, and decreased productivity, ultimately impacting the quality of work produced.
It’s clear from evidence that having happy employees result in greater work production, and generally makes a workplace a more inviting and positive space. Here are some ways the improve workplace morale:
1. Promote Open Communication: Encourage regular communication between employees and management to foster trust and transparency in the workplace. Provide opportunities for employees to voice their concerns, share feedback, and contribute ideas. Taking this further, you can use software such as MS Teams or Slack to have a more casual talking space utilising group chats. It can also be fun to dedicate channels to sharing jokes, topics aside from work, and even memes!
2. Recognize and Appreciate: Show appreciation for employees' contributions and achievements through regular recognition programs, employee appreciation events, and personalized gestures of gratitude. Showing gratitude for a great piece of work goes a long way to boosting morale and helping someone feel appreciated for their hard work.
3. Provide Opportunities for Growth: Invest in employee development and career growth opportunities, such as training programs, mentorship initiatives, and advancement pathways. Employees are more likely to feel motivated and engaged when they see a clear path for their professional development. This also demonstrates your confidence in their ability which can further boost morale.
4. Foster a Positive Work Environment: Create a supportive and inclusive work culture where employees feel valued, respected, and empowered. Promote work-life balance, prioritize employee well-being, and celebrate diversity and inclusion. This can be done by ensuring employees aren’t working crazy hours, or by hosting an office party or day out to help your employees step away from the computer and bond as a team.
5. Offer Flexible Work Arrangements: Provide flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options, flexible hours, and compressed workweeks, to accommodate employees' individual needs and preferences. Flexibility can improve morale by reducing stress and promoting work-life balance. This is especially helpful for individuals such as parents or carers where being able to work at home means they can still care for their kids/loved ones.
6. Lead by Example: Demonstrate leadership qualities that inspire trust, confidence, and positivity among employees. Lead by example, embodying the values and behaviours you want to see in your team.
Overall, the science is clear – happy employees produce better work. By prioritising employee morale and implementing these strategies you’re not only creating a workplace employees feel comfortable and happy at, but you’re also unlocking higher levels of productivity, creativity, and performance in your workplace.