Every day in the office feel like a drag for your staff. Are your employees as happy and inspired as they could be? A recent poll produced results showing that a small minority of Australian employees feel motivated and invested with the work they do, a mere 24% to be precise. Many workplaces are not doing anything to reduce boost this statistic which is cause for concern. Businesses need to take action and work on making adjustments to our work spaces, to help increase positivity and wellness amongst their staff.
Worryingly, one third of Australian employees suffer with a form of mental illness. This particular finding reinforces the need to review how we value morale in the working environment. Read our guide presented below which offers suggestions on how to boost office morale.
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Encourage staff to get their bodies moving
So many offices are choosing to add wellness facilities to their premises, and while it may seem like costly addition, the pay-off from it could be remarkable. Almost a third of Aussies are not getting enough exercise, a key element to not just bodily health but also mental well-being. Many workers get bogged down with their tasks, but by dedicating some time for wellness, the employee benefits from extra energy. Exercise also contributes to supporting a good sleeping pattern, so your staff are more likely to arrive in the morning feeling refreshed and ready for the day ahead. Often, an office gym is also viewed as a perk for existing employees and it can help to entice new recruits. Further to this, introducing initiatives such as lunch time yoga classes or meditation sessions can relax your employees, and generate a sense of community.
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Could an office dog help perk up the office vibe?
Office dogs are already commonplace in work spaces across the nation, and the benefits they bring to the environment are unique. The stress alleviating abilities of dogs have been proven in a multitude of studies, which often refer to the impact they have on reducing the level of cortisol in humans, the hormone which causes stress. Frequent exposure to these hormones can lead to heightened cholesterol levels and hypertension further down the line, demonstrating the value in having a dog around. By having a permanent office dog or allowing employees to bring their own pets to work, the general mood and productivity of the office is enhanced… unless you work with allergy sufferers!
A great way to keep employees up-to date with office goings on and work-related news is by creating a smartphone application. These interactive methods could help to challenge any difficulties in office communication, a major contributor to workplace discontent. Employees could be responsible for generating content on their staff app, distributing it amongst their colleague’s, which can help to promote a sense of openness in the workplace. A staff app can be an informal way to boost employee engagement, by getting everyone involved in a format that employees are familiar with!
Plan a schedule of team building events
Team building can be brilliant when done correctly. It doesn’t have to spur your employees into generating one million reasons why they can’t attend, if you go about it the right way. Gone are the days of awkward staff evenings at the local bar, to arrange a successful team building event you have to think outside of the box. Adventure rooms are one of the most popular emerging trends, where a team hunts for clues in a closed space, solving puzzles to escape before time runs out. These experiences can get everyone involved, and while boosting morale you might also find some of your most valuable problem solvers. Or alternatively, take things back to basics and hold an old-school games night. Get some vintage board games into the office and enjoy beers or soft drinks (out of hours, obviously!), a fun activity which enables everyone to get to know each other better. Team building within your team is a further element in creating a great work culture, and something as simple as this could spark up new office friendships.
There are many ways to boost morale, and they don’t have to be limited to the office. Show your team some appreciation and invest in their wellbeing, and the benefits will be felt within your business.
Article researched and produced by the team at Where The Trade Buys Print, a leading printed brochure provider for a range of industries.
