Little touches can improve staff morale

Feb 23 2009 By Carole White, The Journal

MOST businesses are going through extremely difficult times at present and you don't need to look far to hear more stories of doom and gloom.

It wouldn’t be surprising if the stories coming out in the Press made many of us drop our heads and develop a negative outlook. However, why not do the opposite? When members of your team may be a little less inspired than normal, it is a great time to charge them up and rejuvenate them.

It won’t be unusual if the traditional salary increase doesn’t occur at many companies this year due to the current financial situation. However, we are not talking about a cash injection to pay packets here, there are many other ways to boost your staff:

Training: Supportive and effective training can help your staff feel more valued, confident and capable in their roles. This shouldn’t be forced upon them, but developed with the individual in mind and tailored to their needs. A one-size-fits-all approach may have the opposite effect.

Team building: You don’t have to arrange a blindfolded 4 x 4 driving experience for your staff to help them build relationships. A regular team lunch away from your premises, a night at a bowling alley or trip to a theme park would all help your team build personal relationships, away from the working environment.

Office comforts: Do you have a break area or staff room for your team to relax in during their breaks? Do you have adequate kitchen facilities, comfortable office furniture, dedicated staff car parking etc? Whilst only small issues, when combined they can have a big effect on staff morale. It is important that people feel comfortable, safe and happy in their work environment. After all, many of us spend as much time at work as we do at home ... if not more.

Staff benefits: Does your company offer complimentary life insurance, a contributory pension, health cover, breakdown cover, the Government- backed cycle-to-work scheme or childcare voucher scheme? Some of these may cost your business to implement, and some won’t.

Working arrangements: How flexible are you towards your staff working pattern? Do you operate a flexitime system, allow for part-time working or even home working? These are ideas which wouldn’t cost you a penny, but may make life a little easier for your staff, especially those with children.

It really doesn’t take much financial investment to improve the morale of your staff. Many of these ideas are free.

Just think of the benefits a happy team will bring to your business.

If you require any further support or advice, please call TEDCO on (0191) 428-3535, e-mail starting@tedco.org  or visit us at www.tedco.org.

Carole White is business support manager at Tedco