The sun is set to shine this week (once we get over the storms!)… could it be that summer is here? But when the sun is shining, most of us can easily think of dozens of things that we’d rather be doing than sitting at a computer in a stuffy office.
The summer months can be a tricky time for employers; employees are likely to be jetting off on holiday, and those left holding the fort can feel demotivated and restless.
To stop this, we are giving you our top 8 tips that you can implement for your employees to make a real difference in productivity and the general mood and feel within your business.
Why not pick a couple, and get to work, you might be amazed by how much difference they can really make!
1. Find out what your employees really want
It’s easy to jump to the assumption that a pay increase is what will really make the difference, often though, this isn’t actually the case. The best way to find out what you employees are looking for, is really simple; ASK them! Next time you have a team meeting with your employees, ask questions about what they’re currently dealing with, what their biggest challenges are, and how improvements could be made.
2. Support a local charity
There will be causes that are close to your employees’ hearts, for a variety of reasons. Think about how you can support charities and get your employees in some fundraising (not forgetting team building) activities. From sponsored cycles to fun runs, there are many options that you could pursue.
3. Say thanks
Think that boosting morale is about huge gestures and complicated initiatives? Not at all, never underestimate the value of thanking your employees for their contribution. It might seem like common sense but it is something that is overlooked in the day to day running of a busy business.
4. Gym membership
At this time of year, many of us are thinking about how to improve our health and fitness for that break on the beach! As an employer well-being is vital if your employees are to make a solid contribution to the business. Consider how you could create a partnership with a local gym or fitness facility to kick-start a healthier lifestyle. Involvement should never be compulsory, so take into account personal preferences, and don’t make employees feel obliged to get involved.
5. Encourage taking a lunch break
In most offices now a lunch break involves a sandwich hastily eaten in front of the computer. This can decrease creativity, and leave your employees feeling lethargic. Why not lead by example by taking a your lunch break away from the office, maybe lunchtime walk, or checking out a new local café, and encourage your employees to do the same.
6. Ice creams anyone?
Everyone enjoys an ice cream when the temperatures are soaring. Why not treat your employees to a cool treat during the afternoon – who doesn’t love a Magnum!!!
7. Get the creative juices flowing
Creativity is something which should be harnessed and encouraged in the workplace. So what can you do to shake up day-to-day routines and inject some creative thinking? What about a chill-out zone, with ping-pong and pool tables, or quiet areas that are conducive to creative thinking, or encourage employees to learn new skills or get involved in new leisure activities.
8. Introduce short daily meetings
Email can be a wonderful tool for communication in the workplace, but there’s no substitute for proper face-to-face communication. Try holding brief meet at the start of every day, so employees can get a feel for what everyone else is working on, and be reminded that they’re working towards a common purpose.
There’s a huge amount of value that can be taken away from trialing and testing different initiatives to boost morale. Every business is different, so it’s really important that you take an approach that works for you and gets the best possible results.
