Keeping employee morale high is crucial because it impacts every aspect of workplace life including productivity, retention and culture.
Many studies have shown how a positive work environment spurs employees to be more productive, with people based in offices where there’s a thriving culture experiencing greater job satisfaction even than those who work from home.
Why is employee morale important?
A Gallup poll of UK workers revealed highly engaged teams were 14% more productive than those with lower morale. Creating a sense of belonging within the organisation, it creates social connections and bonds between co-workers that are key to the success of a business.
Employees who feel connected to their teammates, the job and the company as a whole aren’t just showing up and going through the motions; more resilient, they often look forward to the challenges and opportunities that every day brings, and achieve goals faster.
Achieving the best company values of integrity, respect and excellence can also help your company attract the best candidates. Sites where current and former employees can leave reviews of their experiences working for a company means potential employees can gauge the general feeling, which can influence their decision on whether to apply for a position.
A study published by Guidance Talent revealed 78% of candidates felt it gave an insight into how much a company valued its talent, with negative reviews potentially deterring them from continuing with the recruitment process.
Low morale also leads to lower employee retention, with a Gallup study revealing 25% of workers have left jobs due to mental stress. The main reason they leave is due to feeling underappreciated and undervalued, citing a lack of support from their manager as having a negative impact on their day-to-day life.
Teams are stronger, more enthusiastic, engaged and innovative when morale is high. Employees are also more likely to feel in good health, with a massive 77% saying they have experienced feeling disengaged at work, leaving them more likely to be diagnosed with stress, depression and other health problems.
How to boost employee morale
Understanding how to boost office morale can mean the difference between success and failure for your organisation. Team leaders and managers must devise a strategy to ensure a positive workplace culture prevails at all times.
Providing individualised support and creating growth opportunities are proven ways of demonstrating your commitment to employee well-being and success.
When managers provide greater support, clear guidance and timely feedback, it produces highly motivated and more cohesive teams. It gives people a sense of purpose and a feeling of belonging, while providing an opportunity for ongoing growth opportunities.
A study published by Achievers reveals 92% of employees are more likely to repeat a specific action if they have received positive feedback for it.
Positive office environment
The office environment also influences employee morale, with a well-designed office space fostering a comfortable, efficient and inspiring workspace.
Having the opportunity for collaboration with co-workers is also important, with a study by Deloitte finding 73% of workers who regularly engage in collaborative tasks achieve improved performance. Almost two-thirds say it has sparked greater innovation, with teamwork and collaboration making a direct contribution to the success of individuals, the team and the company as a whole.
Businesses who offer beneficial work-life services and policies, such as permitting employees to work flexible hours to help them attain a good work-life balance, also tend to have higher morale and a more positive culture. In fact, 65% of UK employees say they prioritise work-life balance over salary and benefits when seeking a new job.
Community and team bonding
If you’re concerned about low workplace morale, consider making a change as a matter of urgency by building a strong work community.
Community and team bonding plays a significant role in morale building, helping employees feel more connected to colleagues and creating a positive atmosphere.
Organising team building activities can also build trust between colleagues and strengthen relationships, while making work more fun in general. A happy team is more involved and motivated: just because you’re at work doesn’t mean you can’t have fun.
It’s also important to celebrate wins together too, however small, as this can help to make co-workers feel united and more satisfied with their role, creating a positive atmosphere in general.
Technology and tools
Nothing is more frustrating in an office than having a slow internet connection, or a computer system that continually crashes. A study published in IFA magazine reveals 52% of employees have felt stressed by a slow internet connection, with 35% saying it has had a negative impact on their work.
Technology and tools play a vital role in the morale of every workplace, which is why BE Offices’ serviced offices in London have the best and most reliable tech possible. We provide superfast IT, with dedicated 10Gb internet pipes and 1:1 uncontended connectivity.
Others may work with shared bandwidth, but we firmly believe employees should never have to battle with other users to achieve a good connection speed.
Flexible office solutions such as serviced offices contribute to employee morale by providing a positive environment that enhances workplace culture. The importance of prioritising employee satisfaction is crucial to your business and employees, so if you feel something’s lacking, it’s time to devise new strategies as a matter of urgency.
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