There is a high level of stress in the work place which creates high staff absenteeism, increased accidents and lower productivity. This article will address a few ways to improve staff morale without going broke (and thereby improve attendance, job satisfaction and work productivity).
There are ways to motivate staff and provide incentives without breaking the budget. In Webster's New World Dictionary incentive is defined as “stimulating one to take action, work harder, etc.; encouraging, motivating” (1980). There is an anonymous quote that reads “Encouraged people achieve the best, dominated people achieve second best; neglected people achieve the least.” Encouragement is critical to the success of an organization, and as such is an excellent motivator.
One method used by some employers is to offer a break room equipped with either a television or exercise equipment. An employee, on their breaks, can escape the work routine and unwind. Staff is able to see evidence of their employer valuing them as individuals and being concerned about their needs. They are then able to return to their task with a renewed interest.
Another method which has been successful for some employers is having an outlet for the employees to voice their opinions without repercussions. Filling out a stress survey allowed management to evaluate areas of discontent and address those areas. When staff knows their concerns are important to their managers they will work harder to fulfill their responsibilities. Knowing that their complaints were being heard also gives them a sense of empowerment and enables them to communicate better with management. If a staff member continually performs the same task day in and day out and realizes a way that this function could be performed more efficiently they would be more open to discuss their ideas with management enabling the owners to save money and allowing staff to feel that they contributed something worthwhile.
By implementing these methods of relieving stress the employer will improve attendance, and productivity, while lowering accidents and illnesses in the work place. Staff members need to be recognized and respected as the unique individuals that they are. An encouraged and valued employee will be more motivated and productive. They will feel better about coming to work and perform better while they are there. They will have a better attitude when talking to others about their employer and will create better public relations.
