5 Ways to Increase Employee Morale

It seems that everything has changed since 2020 – and the modern American workplace is no exception. Nearly overnight, offices switched from fully on-site to fully remote, for good reason. However, when it came time to return to work, employers were in for a shock. The mindset of employees had shifted radically, and employee morale in the workplace remained elusive as businesses struggled to understand the shifting dynamic.

Maintaining and cultivating employee morale is more vital than ever as companies grapple with a shrinking workforce and evolving paradigm. he unsung hero of workplace metrics. In 2021, 65% of HR professionals identified improving employee morale and preventing burnout as a top priority – and not much has changed since then. If you are in management and need ways to energize your workers and rejuvenate their passion, try these innovative solutions that are working for your peers.

Spoiler alert: One of these professional recommendations involves green plants and plant leasing – so read on!

1. Cultivate Transparency: Although transparency seems to be a worn-out buzzword, it is essential for your leadership to inspire employees at all levels. After all, your employees are intelligent and perceptive – if there is a pervasive issue with your culture, they will sense it. Build trust with your employees – be honest about what’s going on, what the problems are, and how you are addressing them. Don’t be afraid to ask for their input – High morale can only exist when employees feel that they are an integral part of the organization.
2. Give Meetings a Break: Nothing kills morale more than never being able to catch your breath. While the urge to conduct meeting after meeting is strong in a hybrid environment, endless meetings are the perfect recipe for company-wide burnout.
   Establish one day a week when no one is allowed to schedule a meeting and let your employees catch up on everything else they need to do. They will be amazed at how efficient and productive they are without the interruption of Zoom meetings and conference calls – and it will make them feel more proficient overall.
3. Create a Work/Life Balance: The pandemic changed the way many people viewed their lives , their families and their careers – and there was a seismic shift towards desiring a better work/life balance. In fact, companies that do not acknowledge and respect this newfound sense of balance are likely to experience unwanted attrition as employees leave for jobs that will give them the flexibility they desire. Studies reveal that 20% of the workforce spend 5+ hours at work each week worrying about their health, finances, and family. That type of anxiety can torpedo your employee morale, so it’s imperative that you treat your team as humans with lives outside of work. This may mean different things to different companies but may include opportunities for flexible hours, paid time off, and work-from-home policies when appropriate and feasible.
4. Normalize Recognition: A sure way to ruin employee morale is to make them think they are just a replaceable cog in the machine. If you value your employees, don’t be shy about finding ways to recognize and thank them. A study from Glassdoor.com revealed that more than half of American employees will remain loyal to their jobs as long as they receive appreciation from their boss, manager or team leader. What may be surprising is three-quarters of employees named praise from peers as highly motivating – meaning that companies should officially establish a program that allows employees to give each other shoutouts and to be acknowledged by management for their hard work.

5. Green Plants Improve Employee Morale!

We promised that we would tie plants into this story!

Research shows that going green in your offices can significantly boost office and employee morale. Plants elevate mood, provide a sense of well-being, calm raw nerves, and even increase productivity! The fact is that green plants add a bit of the serenity of nature to the indoor environment. So, consider green plants for each desk at the office, large plants in each area, and a plant wall in the lobby or break room – and don’t forget remote workers. Include a line item in the budget for each employee to purchase a green plant of their choice to put in their home office – and let them show off their choice during one of those (many) meetings.

Tropex is a plant leasing company that will help you design and install amazing green plants and trees in your office space. If you are ready to improve your office morale while making the workplace more beautiful, call us today for a consultation.