The basics
Remember that we are all human. According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, every human has five levels of needs that must be met in order to reach fulfillment, and fulfilled employees equal a successful company.

On the most basic level, a person’s physical needs must be met: water, food, sleep and health. While sleep at work is controversial, the other three items can be a critical boost for a high-morale environment. Never underestimate the value of a strong employee benefits package to help keep employees and their families healthy.

The next level is safety and security. Whether you are a global corporation or a start-up business, safety in the workplace is a hot topic. Having a safety plan in place helps employees feel more comfortable and focused while working.

Social belonging and respect as a member of the team comprise the third level. Good relationships with supervisors and co-workers encourage an employee to be personally invested in a company’s success. Managers should establish an environment where employees are heard, their ideas valued and constant feedback and constructive criticism are provided.

The fourth level, defined as self-esteem, speaks to a person’s need to receive recognition. Managers need to continually take the time to recognize employees for their performance. Taking the time to celebrate successes with the entire team is a great boost for overall morale. The final and highest level of human needs is self-actualization. Make an investment in your employees’ future by providing access to professional training, classes or seminars that will help them perform their jobs better.

Leadership assessment
Oftentimes if there is an employee morale problem it is a result of a leadership problem. Since most employees realize that criticizing the boss does not put them on the fast track for advancement, managers need to start with a look within and ask for feedback from employees.

Communication is key
Internal communication is a major component to a high-morale environment. As part of managements’ regular routine, appropriate information should be shared with employees. This can be done through online communication tools such as blogs or intranets, newsletters or e-mail. Keeping employees informed reduces the amount of time and energy spent gossiping or complaining about the company.

In addition to understanding the company, employees also need to understand the employers’ expectations in order to be productive. In other words, establish a mutual understanding of responsibilities and priorities with each employee—a job description is a good tool for this. An employee who knows exactly what is expected will perform more productively.

Managers should invest time to discuss an employee’s career path within the company. Work with your employees to establish both short-term and long-term goals that align with those of the company; and establish definable tactics to reach those goals.

Strategy not salary
Many business owners believe maintaining morale among employees means they need to offer giveaways, bonuses and even salary increases. These ideas are temporary and do not acknowledge the fundamental truth of improved morale—constructing a satisfying work experience. Items such as pizza parties, flowers and doughnuts do not sustain morale and no salary figure can compensate for low morale. These ideas should be seen as an extension of that satisfying work experience strategy.

The dominant trend that remains on the issue of improving and maintaining morale in the fast-paced 21st century workforce is to provide for their timeless needs as an individual. Considering that employees spend nearly one-third of their life at work, fostering an environment catering to the human needs of employees is critical. In most cases, the result will be eager employees that contribute to a highly successful company.

Article provided by Administaff, a professional employer organization.

www.administaff.com