How leaders can assess morale, even when everyone's remote. In my role, I write and speak frequently on hiring, workplace and career management topics. I get it, you have 0.3 FTE and 0.5 FTE and so on. During this time, professionals will attend hundreds of meetings, log countless hours of overtime, and more. Don't panic. Letting your employees work at the most convenient times is a surefire way to boost morale. Facebook. A token of appreciation is a small act of kindness that shows gratitude. It’s not just workplace concerns that influence your team’s morale. Give a memorable gift that conveys your respect for their efforts. — Josh Hrala. If you you’d like to check out more virtual team building activities , Outback Team Building & Training offers four virtually-hosted options for your remote team. Let employees plan their time around distractions and accommodate different schedules. Meanwhile, many senior executives, including CFOs, must tackle a twofold challenge when it comes to their workforce. As the uncertainties caused by COVID-19 continue to disrupt work environments, business leaders must be mindful of how they can improve employees’ mental health and morale. Increase communication — with all key stakeholders. WFH can come with the added stress of having to be available 24/7. Whether it’s working-from-home (WFH) or out on the front-lines every day, employees of all organizations are impacted. A 40-hour work week is spending 50% of our waking hours away from family. Show how the senior management team is working to stabilize the business. The idea of team-building … ... businesses can’t simply stop operating because of the coronavirus and remote work for many is not a possibility. Quick, maybe 15-minute check-in calls about non-work matters on a daily basis are something staff are likely to look forward to. Here are several fun outdoor activities you can still enjoy. ... Split employees into teams and set them to work on the checklist. Motivated employees enhance sales and increase customer retention. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated it. We all need to eat, and good food costs money. Foreign employees who may want to travel back to their home countries. Work-Style Adaptability. Additionally, ensure that your work is diverse and inclusive. The stress and burnout of working around the clock will cause morale to sink like a stone. These activities are great for longer meetings, or if you want to spend an afternoon or a few hours away from your desk. Don’t attempt to hide problems or avoid conversations when morale is low. That’s why it’s so important to do the little things to boost employee morale. Make it a priority to lend an ear to employees and remind them that they are not alone. Above listed points are just a handful of many tools that can help you boost your morale. Employees in Wuhan/Hubei area. It’s only been a matter of months since the pandemic forced businesses to go all-remote, essentially overnight. 2. Improve Your Company Branding With Zippia Learn More Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Johanna Cider – a freelance writer from New Zealand, with experience writing on recruitment and employee well-being, event management, and events venues. Determine if Low Morale Exists and How Widespread it is. While those remaining are no doubt relieved, for the time being at least, they’ll need your help in handling newly adjusted priorities with fewer employees to share the load. About sharing. By now, your people are adapting to the temporary COVID-19 working conditions and/or shutdowns. In light of the evolving situation around coronavirus (COVID-19), some teachers may be looking for activities to boost pupils’ wellbeing. When will the crisis subside? Will another outbreak occur? to those who need it. Have a look at these ideas, which can be helpful for all pupils, but particularly if they are finding changes unsettling. Communicate the importance of taking breaks and being away from work-related activities. Implement a variety of festive activities to increase employee morale. Interim resources can be a lifeline for fully tasked teams until key projects have been handled and workloads subside for a while. In a typical office setting, it can be fairly obvious to see signs of low morale — changes in body language such as sluggishness or boredom at in-person meetings, for example. Recognize employees for their achievements. © 2021 Forbes Media LLC. Share. Create real-life connections through the giving of gifts to express your message of thanks, even during social distancing. It’s crucial that … Engage with your employees to inspire them to work more productively. Make use of virtual ways to connect. Signe Brewster. Here are five key ways to boost morale in an organisation: 1. A 60-hour work week is 75%. All Rights Reserved, This is a BETA experience. Her opinions are her own. Show your essential workers you acknowledge their efforts through gifts to revitalize their motivation and boost productivity. Work hard; play harder. During this unprecedented time, we’ve tried to successfully deliver an exceptional employee experience by continuing to stay focused on deliverables because, in contrast to the pandemic, these are within an employee’s control. Predictability, planning and consistency are all well-documented stress relievers. Yet, you are still missing after-work parties, time spent with friends and weekend getaways. Related Topics. During this unprecedented time, we’ve tried to successfully deliver an exceptional employee experience by continuing to stay focused on deliverables because, in contrast to the pandemic, these are within an employee’s control. Besides offering up a fun and creative alternative to bonding over happy hour (which can make people who don’t drink feel left out), team-building activities Small doses of team bonding throughout the week can also boost your employees’ morale. Los Angeles hospital installs puppy live stream to boost morale among nurses working during the pandemic. The morale of people with more items on their plate than they can handle will plummet — and eventually lead to burnout. Here are five tips to help improve company and employee morale during coronavirus — and beyond — that can be done in-person or in the virtual world. Employees whose contracts will end soon. 1. COVID-19: How to boost staff morale 'Change and adapt quickly, don't keep doing the same thing hoping things will change' BY HRD 24 Mar 2020. Employees whose contracts will end soon. They are morale killers. Learn how to create a diverse and inclusive workplace with BestCompaniesAZ. Share this … Here are 6 great ways to boost your employees’ morale during COVID-19: #1 Celebrate accomplishments and milestones It is no secret that COVID-19 has created struggles for many companies worldwide. But just as doing exercise improves physical health, you and your child can do activities to boost their mental health. If your team's morale is dipping, it's time to make some changes. The related challenge is strengthening employee morale. Safe outdoor activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. 3 Ways Companies Can Boost Morale During the Pandemic There are plenty of fun and creative ways to celebrate company milestones that won't break the bank. Companies that understand they need to prevent sagging morale also recognize the difficulty in addressing the issue when potentially their entire workforce is operating on a remote basis. 11 ways to boost morale in a COVID world IT leaders are shaking up IT strategies and altering their approaching to leading their teams, introducing new … In Boulder, we do more outdoor activities together like barbecues and hiking in the Rocky Mountains. Communicate the importance of taking breaks and being away from work-related activities. Your employees will respect honesty while you work together to fix any issues. Over the course of more than 30 years in the recruiting field, I’ve advised thousands of company leaders and job seekers on how to hire and get hired. Here are three ways employers can reduce panic and keep employee morale up during the coronavirus outbreak. Inspire people to strive for excellence and build meaning into their work. First, you need to help your teams adapt to COVID-19 business disruption from an operational standpoint. Public health restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have led to canceled festivals, concerts and other events. Many senior business leaders — especially those who led teams through the Great Recession — understand that maintaining staff morale is a business imperative in times of anxiety. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted our way of working. What are some ways your business is helping to boost employee morale? Delivery services are protecting vulnerable people to access necessities at home. Prioritize connecting with your team. Letting your employees work at the most convenient times is a surefire way to boost morale. In this podcast, McKinsey’s Tom Welchman discusses several issues that leaders can keep in mind as they try to support employees and help them adjust to the next normal. Collaborate with departments to get equipment such as laptops, keyboards, microphones, etc. Linkedin. Create an environment of psychological safety where staff feels comfortable sharing their thoughts. 7 Ways to Boost Your Loved One's Morale During the Coronavirus Epidemic With visits to senior communities halted, out of sight doesn't have to be out of mind . How one Canada-based event executive is adapting his leadership techniques amid COVID-19 restrictions to ensure employees working from home continue to feel engaged and included. While event and meeting professionals across North … So, grabbing a few drinks after work is a great way to boost morale, and bring your team together around things that are, well, not work. Published . I am the senior executive director at Robert Half, specializing in the placement of professionals in the accounting and finance, technology, legal, creative and administrative fields. You’ll have to be aware of more subtle distress signals from your team members. by David Lee. That’s why employee engagement activities during COVID-19 are more important than ever before. Since people go to work to make money, it’s kind of a bummer when they have to spend some of that on food during the workday. In a work context, possession of such traits, while always desirable in a positive sense, are now essential in the coronavirus (COVID-19) era. The COVID-19 virus is changing the world in which we live and work. Covid: Royal visit during pandemic questioned by minister. Make it a percentage. These can include fewer communication instances from team members in sharing ideas and a decline in overall work quality. Consider sending a personalized gift as a token of appreciation. Fine tune the details for how your staff may be able to work remotely. Employee appreciation is also shown on Strawberry Shortcake Day and Root Beer Float Day with low-cost (if not low-calorie) treats. With increased time spent at home or at work on the front lines, people’s daily routines have changed. And stick to it. Keep communication outlets open to update your team. Putting some of these ideas to work can help keep employee morale high, even during the most difficult times. In light of the evolving situation around coronavirus (COVID-19), some teachers may be looking for activities to boost pupils’ wellbeing. Have a look at these ideas, which can be helpful for all pupils, but particularly if they are finding changes unsettling. Share. Morale is likely low during this time because of the uncertainty it has created. Keep them happy by implementing ideas from this list. So many staff morale boosters. Unexpected, dramatic change can be a huge hindrance on employee morale. How to Keep the Spirit of Teamwork Alive While You’re Working From Home During Coronavirus. Employee morale has taken a hit. What will the post-pandemic work environment look like? As the uncertainties caused by COVID-19 continue to disrupt work environments, business leaders must be mindful of how they can improve employees’ mental health and morale. If you see any of these signs, or other troubling changes in behavior among your workforce, here are four actions you can take to help boost morale: 1. There are personal ones as well. Or you may catch wind of more watercooler chat or whispers among colleagues. Be flexible with work hours. WFH practices make it difficult to celebrate successes in-person. In addition, late-night emails and employees who always seem to be online are not necessarily signs of a dedicated, engaged team. Boosting morale during the COVID-19 pandemic is all about showing you care, remaining hopeful, finding reasons to celebrate, and making our current conditions feel as normal as possible. Healthcare workers are saving lives. Feed your employees good food. Remind them of their value to the team. Employees who must work in offices or stores while others can work from home. Here’s a guide to successful corporate gifting in 2020 to get started. Corporate Culture and the Public Sector — It’s Time These Two Get Along, Turning Your Degree into a Job Offer: 3 Tips on Getting Hired, How to Break Stereotypes in Job Interviews, Taking the Pulse of Open Offices — The Future of Work. The pandemic has prompted a wide range of businesses to (at least temporarily) ask their employees to work from home. As employees adjust to how, when and where they work, it’s a great opportunity for employers to do a better job at what they already know is important. Giftpack AI’s gifting service makes it possible to quickly send personalized gifts globally. Be Transparent. By Mayo Clinic Staff. March 25, 2020. Employees may fear that being frank will negatively affect their job security. Published March 13, 2020. Everything in the workplace has changed, but what keeps employees motivated and what employers and leaders can do remains the same. 37. During normal times, you’d put solid internal communication front and center in managing any major business implementation or pressing initiative. 4. Instead, you and your management team will need to look for clues that something may be amiss among direct reports. By. Just ask any business leader trying to keep a team motivated during the COVID-19 pandemic. I offer insights on effective strategies in hiring and management. Understand the variety of new responsibilities people might have and adjust accordingly to help ease the stress. Sending a unique gift to bridge the in-person divide and celebrate accomplishments. Your team knows what works best for them and they’ll be happy to get a real say in the matter. Covid-19 has forced many companies to work from home and finding a way to practice mindfulness with your team has become even more challenging, or has it? “Morale and attitude are the fundamental ingredients to success” said the late US politician, broadcaster and football player and coach Bud Wilkinson. Just avoid overdoing it. Remote work options. As we reflect on two months of virtual work, companies are looking back on their most successful morale-boosting activities & searching for new ideas. The savviest among them also see this trying time as an opportunity to rally their workforce and strengthen the company for the future. How business leaders can keep their teams motivated during the COVID-19 pandemic ... here are four actions you can take to help boost morale: 1. Let’s Roam knows how to have a good time. How Principals and District Leaders Are Trying to Boost Lagging Teacher Morale During COVID-19. I joined Robert Half in 1984 as a recruiter for financial and accounting professionals in Boston, following a public accounting career with Price Waterhouse. Foreign employees who may want to travel back to their home countries. Then, ask your employees what they’d like to see implemented. Just avoid overdoing it. Since people go to work to make money, it’s kind of a bummer when they have to spend some of that on food during the workday. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we're all feeling less secure and missing our usual routines. 7. Inform them about company updates, new protocols, customer feedback, and more. Reiterate that the company’s mission and values continue to guide the organization. Many companies are allowing their teams to work remotely so they are still able to meet customer needs. We have the longest unemployment lines we’ve seen in 90 years. Just avoid overdoing it. So to buck up your spirits, try attending online happiness classes and motivation sessions. Lead 20 Creative Ways to Boost Employee Morale Don't lose your best employees. Provide training for educating your team on how to use resources correctly to ensure they are able to keep connected. A simple handwritten card or thoughtful gift is invaluable in saying thanks. Use them to help your child find healthy ways to deal with their feelings and reactions to the Covid-19 situation. Given all the changes and hard decisions executives must make to help the company survive, bolstering morale may seem like a low priority. You’ll need to accurately assess the mood of your workers. Each month, our company sends out care packages filled with snacks, masks, wellness products, and fun surprises. Ask yourself: what could I do today to boost my employees’ morale? You may opt-out by. With substantial drops in revenue and fewer sales, many companies are … Employees who must work in offices or stores while others can work from home. It is important to appreciate that every employee is worrying about their personal situation and what the future will hold, according to Rudy Crous, Corporate Psychologist and CEO of Shortlyster. Do you follow a technique in particular to boost your morale amid COVID-19? Twitter. 1.8 Employee engagement practices during the COVID‐19 lockdown. Recognition goes a long way in making your team feel fulfilled in their jobs. Share page. Jan 12, 2019 - Teachers and other staff members often need a little booster to make it through the year. Grocery store staff are feeding families to survive. Share Your Personality. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we need these core life skills for things like planning less frequent trips to the grocery store or market, filling out forms for relief funds or loans, navigating support programs, and for managing work, home, and caring for children. Resources for Managing Work and Life During COVID-19. Full coverage and live updates on the Coronavirus, I am the senior executive director at Robert Half, specializing in the placement of professionals in the accounting and finance, technology, legal, creative and. Set an example to inspire others to follow. Match the moment with an appropriate level of communication to employees, as well as other stakeholders, such as customers, partners and shareholders. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected activities for many people. What makes this major change event especially challenging is all the uncertainty around it. Promote work-life balance. We all need to eat, and good food costs money. As people attempt to balance work with personal demands, like childcare, it’s easy for them to become overwhelmed, and even deflated, at times. 3 Ways To Keep Employee Morale Up During The Coronavirus Outbreak. No more than 110% of your standard work week, for example. Let us know. Interrupt this monotonous wash, rinse, and repeat cycle with events that encourage a fun company culture. Team-Building Activities to Do During the Workday. Employees joining the team during the response to the coronavirus. Making mental health resources accessible. Make your own happy!. On this board I'm pinning ideas for sweet treats, crafty gifts, appreciation dinner, spirit days, games, activities and bulletin boards that can help spread a little love. Then divulge as much as you can about how your efforts to continue providing outstanding service to your customers are going. Follow the advice you give to your workforce yourself to help stay focused during these uncertain times. Increase company-wide happiness, connect through team building, and … Explain how they provide the foundation for the changes and hard decisions the business has made and is making. Share key contacts to troubleshoot tech issues and minimize frustrations. by Linda Dono, AARP, March 17, 2020 | Comments: 0. 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Many is not a possibility, they are not alone for employees... Split employees into teams and daily. Weekly or periodic video conferences to keep connected the list wins, but if! Many tools that can help keep employees up to date on COVID-19 facts is.. You acknowledge their efforts through gifts to express your message of thanks, when. Their homes with secure access to company data and continue pursuing key projects have been forced make! Stay-At-Home orders can cause feelings of isolation by finding new ways of guiding them to help the company the. Morale at work over a lifetime—or one-third of your outdoor fun your child can do to stay! Their top reasons include a lack of separation between work and how it is bettering.... And District leaders are trying to boost morale job security this is a BETA experience teamwork skills during the to. Hundreds of meetings, or if you want to spend an afternoon or a few hours from. For example so far using creative strategies to serve customers while your team is from! The business has made and is making rally their workforce average person will spend hours! A pandemic pumping paranoia into the public hiking in the workplace has changed, but all of the evolving around... 12, 2019 - teachers and other staff members often need a little booster to make it through year!