How to Boost Morale in the Workplace [22 Ways]

Shifting Workplace Trends

We have seen seismic shifts in workplace and workforce trends over the past few years due to technological advancements, changing demographics, and global events. Increasingly, businesses recognize employee engagement is a critical factor in their success. However, despite efforts to improve, Gallup reported that only about 32% of U.S. workers are actively engaged in their work in 2022, a statistic that is down from 36% just two years prior. This lack of engagement is not just an issue for the disengaged employees; it's a problem for their employers, too, that experience diminished efficiencies and productivity, reduced innovation, and higher employee turnover and recruitment challenges.

Embracing Remote and Hybrid Work Models

Recent shifts towards remote and hybrid work models necessitated by events like the COVID-19 pandemic created both challenges and opportunities in maintaining and boosting morale. Buffer’s 2023 State of Remote Work Report found that 98% of employees would like to work remotely, at least some of the time, for the rest of their careers. And while numerous companies are trying to pull back on remote and hybrid work arrangements, the “canary is out of the cage” and will be difficult to put back into the cage. Full-time work models certainly come with their disadvantages, with many workers struggling with issues such as collaboration, communication, and loneliness.

Morale Equals Job Satisfaction and Engagement

The emerging picture is clear: Employee morale is not just about feeling good. It's about job satisfaction, engagement, productivity, and retention, all of which directly impact a company's bottom line. In this blog post, we'll explore 22 ways businesses can boost morale in the workplace, using both traditional and novel approaches, backed by research data where appropriate.

1. Emphasize Work-Life Balance

Emphasizing work-life balance can significantly boost morale. This involves allowing flexible work schedules and understanding the importance of personal time. Gartner found that 43% of workers say flexible working hours helps them achieve higher productivity. Finding ways to provide remote and hybrid work arrangements is one of the contributing factors, with 30% saying that less or no time commuting allows them to be more productivity.

2. Foster a Positive Workplace Culture

Creating a positive workplace culture means promoting open communication, mutual respect, and recognition for hard work. A study from Deloitte found that 94% of executives and 88% of employees believe a distinct workplace culture is important to business success.

3. Encourage Regular Breaks

Encouraging regular breaks helps maintain high productivity and morale. The monotony of work can impact morale, diminish productivity, and even lead to lower quality results (including more efforts). Here, businesses need to build breaks into work schedules that enable employees to recharge.

4. Provide Employee Development Opportunities

Providing training and development opportunities shows investment in employees. This fosters greater loyalty on the part of employees while helping them to expand their career options. At the same time, this leads to better productivity outputs and longer employee retention. 

5. Implement Job Rotation Programs

Job rotation programs can boost employee morale by breaking up the monotony and providing opportunities to learn new skills. By shifting roles within the organization, employees can explore different career paths, thus keeping them engaged and motivated. Job rotation also fosters cross-functional collaboration and understanding, which can lead to improved team cohesion and efficiency. 

6. Recognize and Reward Employee Achievements

Recognition and rewards are powerful tools that employers can use to motivate employees, making them feel valued and appreciated for their contributions. This isn't about grand gestures, but rather about acknowledging the efforts and successes of your team members, both individually and collectively.

Research supports the positive impact of employee recognition on morale. A study by Gallup discovered that employees who do not feel adequately recognized are three times as likely to quit within the next year. In contrast, those who do receive regular recognition and praise are more likely to be engaged in their work. Recognition not only boosts individual employee engagement, but it also has been found to increase productivity and loyalty to the company, leading to higher retention rates.

Recognition doesn't always have to be monetary. Personalized, public acknowledgements can be equally effective. These could be in the form of 'employee of the month' initiatives, shoutouts in team meetings, or spotlights in company newsletters. The aim is to highlight the individual's accomplishments and express genuine appreciation.

7. Promote Healthy Living

Promoting healthy living in the workplace is not only beneficial for employees’ physical well-being, but it also plays a significant role in their mental health and overall morale. This can include initiatives such as on-site fitness facilities, offering healthy snack options, wellness programs, or subsidizing gym memberships. The CDC notes that employees with poor health behaviors are more likely to miss work, which reduces overall productivity. By creating an environment that encourages healthy choices, businesses can directly impact their bottom line while also boosting morale and job satisfaction.

8. Encourage Team Building

Team building is a powerful tool for fostering stronger relationships, mutual respect, and collaboration among employees. Organizing activities that require teamwork and cooperation can boost morale by creating a sense of unity and shared purpose. These can range from workshops and training sessions to social outings and retreats. 

9. Provide Support for Mental Health

Supporting mental health in the workplace is crucial. Stress and burnout can severely impact an employee's ability to perform their duties and can lead to a range of mental health issues. By offering support in the form of counselling services, mental health days, or simply fostering an environment where mental health isn't stigmatized, businesses can reduce stress and boost morale.

10. Foster Open Communications

Open communication is the backbone of a high-morale workplace. It builds trust, facilitates problem-solving, and encourages employees to share their ideas and concerns. This can be fostered through regular meetings, open-door policies, or digital communication platforms.

11. Offer Competitive Salaries and Benefits

Offering competitive salaries and benefits is a clear way to show employees they are valued and appreciated. While salary is not the only factor contributing to job satisfaction, it's an essential one. Competitive pay aligns with the market rate for a given role and skill set, while benefits can include health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid time off. According to PayScale survey, 75% of respondents who believe they are paid at or above market rate are satisfied with their job.

12. Create a Comfortable Work Environment

A comfortable work environment is vital for maintaining high morale. This means creating a physical space where employees feel good working, with proper lighting, temperature control, ergonomic furniture, and quiet spaces for concentration. It also extends to a psychological space where employees feel safe, supported, and free from harassment or discrimination.

13. Embrace Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity and inclusion in the workplace foster innovation, improve decision-making, and boost employee engagement and morale. This means creating an environment where differences in race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, and cultural background are valued and respected. A study by McKinsey found that companies with higher diversity in their workforce are 35% more likely to outperform their peers, further underlining the importance of a diverse and inclusive workplace.

14. Encourage Innovation and Creativity

Encouraging innovation and creativity in the workplace makes employees feel engaged and invested in their work. This could involve brainstorming sessions, innovation challenges, or simply providing the freedom for employees to pursue new ideas. A culture of creativity can lead to improved problem-solving, increased job satisfaction, and a more dynamic, engaging work environment.

15. Provide Regular Feedback

Regular feedback is vital for employee growth, motivation, and satisfaction. Constructive feedback helps employees understand what they're doing well and areas where they can improve. This feedback should be specific, actionable, and delivered in a respectful and positive manner. Moreover, encouraging employees to give feedback to their managers can create a more open and reciprocal communication culture. According to the Harvard Business Review, 92% of respondents agreed that appropriately delivered constructive feedback is effective in improving job performance, leading to higher morale and job satisfaction.

16. Offer Remote Work Options

Offering remote work options can improve morale by providing employees with greater work-life balance and flexibility. In recent years, remote work has become an increasingly desired perk, with employees valuing the time saved on commuting and the flexibility to create a work schedule that fits their personal life. Accordingly, Stanford University found that remote work led to a 13% increase in productivity and a 50% decrease in attrition, demonstrating how this flexibility can lead to both happier and more productive employees. To offset the challenges of remote work and the need for remote workers to have on-demand workspace in a professional business center, businesses can look to providers like Davinci Meeting Rooms that deliver coworking spaces, day offices, and rented meeting rooms.   

17. Invest in Employee Learning

Investing in employee learning and development is a powerful way to increase morale and job satisfaction. Employees feel more engaged and committed to a company that values their growth and offers opportunities for continuous learning. LinkedIn found employees who believe their company is investing in their learning and development are more likely to stay with their company. For example, for those who received an internal move in their first two years at a company, 75% indicate they are more likely to remain with their company.

18. Show Empathy and Understanding

Showing empathy and understanding in the workplace can significantly boost morale. When leaders demonstrate empathy, employees feel seen, heard, and valued, contributing to a supportive work culture. Businessolver discovered that 93% of employees are more likely to stay with an empathetic employer, signifying the direct impact of empathy on employee retention and satisfaction.

19. Establish a Clear Company Vision

Establishing a clear company vision provides employees with a sense of purpose and direction, key factors in boosting morale. A clear vision enables employees to understand how their role contributes to the overall success of the company, leading to greater engagement and commitment.

20. Facilitate Employee Autonomy

Facilitating employee autonomy is crucial for boosting morale. When employees have the freedom to make decisions and control their own work, they feel more trusted and valued, leading to increased job satisfaction. A report by the American Psychological Association found that employees who feel empowered to take control of their work are more likely to be engaged and satisfied with their jobs.

21. Foster Peer Recognition

Fostering peer recognition can enhance workplace morale by creating a culture of appreciation and respect. Peer recognition programs, where employees publicly acknowledge each other's contributions and achievements, can help build a more supportive and collaborative work culture. Research from the O.C. Tanner Learning Group found that 79% of employees who quit their jobs cite a lack of appreciation as a key reason for leaving, underscoring the importance of recognition in boosting morale and reducing turnover.

22. Regularly Review and Improve Morale Boosting Strategies

Regularly reviewing and improving morale-boosting strategies ensures their effectiveness and relevance. This might involve gathering employee feedback, monitoring engagement metrics, or conducting regular reviews of your company's culture and practices. Qualtrics reports that companies which solicit and act on feedback are 4.6 times more likely to have high employee engagement, highlighting the critical role of continuous improvement in maintaining high workplace morale.

Get Started by Boosting Morale of Your Employees Today

In the current age of work, boosting morale in the workplace is more than just a nice-to-have, it’s a business imperative. Each of the 22 strategies outlined holds substantial power in creating a work environment that fosters positivity, productivity, and commitment, which are crucial for both employee wellbeing and the bottom line.

As we adapt to new ways of working, particularly in the context of remote and hybrid work, it's important to remember that while our workplaces may have changed, the need for connection, recognition, and a sense of belonging remains unchanged. In such scenarios, coworking spaces, day offices, and rented meeting rooms can play a significant role in maintaining and boosting morale.

These shared spaces not only provide a productive environment for work but also offer opportunities for social interaction, collaboration, and team-building—elements that can be missing from a purely remote work setting. They provide a bridge, connecting the flexibility of remote work with the collaboration of traditional office environments. Moreover, these spaces can be customized to create a comfortable and conducive work environment, catering to the specific needs and preferences of the workforce.

In addition, for businesses operating on a hybrid model, these spaces can serve as a common ground where remote and in-office teams can converge, fostering unity and collaborative spirit. A dedicated space for team meetings or company events can bring a dispersed team together, creating shared experiences that boost morale.

About Patrick Spencer

Patrick Spencer (Ph.D.) is the President and Founder of TIRO Communications that helps companies develop, build, and manage content, customer, advocacy, and demand-gen programs. Included in its offerings is TIRO Cognition Insights, a data analytics tool that enables B2C and B2B businesses to pinpoint what their customers and competitors’ customers are saying and to identify corresponding actionable product, services, competitive, sales, and marketing intelligence. LinkedIn Profile: LinkedIn Website: www.tirocommunications.com