Are you and your employees struggling with low morale?
If so, you’re not the only ones. It’s normal to experience a downturn in morale during times of crisis and extreme change. In fact, the CDC has an entire page dedicated to stress and coping during this global pandemic.
Maybe everyone is trying to adjust to working from home. Maybe there are concerns about health and safety once things open up again. Or maybe you’re dealing with unemployment claims and questions about job security.
What can you do to give everyone’s low morale a boost and have a more positive work environment? Here are 3 things that will help.
1. Encourage Open Communication
Whether you’re physically working together with your team or not, there’s no reason not to have steady communication.
If you aren’t already doing so, schedule weekly staff meetings over a video chat program like Skype or Zoom. Keep everyone informed of current and upcoming projects and any changes you anticipate moving forward.
Invite your team to comment on anything they’re struggling with or are unsure about. If you can, arrange one-on-one sessions so you can learn how everyone is really doing.
2. Offer Recognition & Acknowledgement
Listen carefully to any problems or concerns your staff members express. Even if there’s nothing you can do to change things, acknowledge their struggles and assure them that they’re not alone.
Whenever possible, offer commendation for their hard work in the past and their work on current projects. Assure them that they’re still a valuable asset to your company, even during these unusual circumstances.
Everyone wants to feel appreciated, and your kind words could be just the boost they need to combat low morale.
3. Focus on Solutions (Not Problems)
Prolonged stress can lead to burnout, so this is another possible cause of low morale.
Rather than dwelling on the crisis, focus on how the company will recover and thrive in the coming months. Ask your employees for input about ways to manage their schedules and balance their workload so they don’t feel overwhelmed.
While keeping an open-door policy, try not to micromanage your workers. Allow some autonomy for your seasoned staff and trust that they know how to do their job. This will help everyone to feel more confident in their work (and the company) as time move on.
Low Morale: A Challenge You Can Overcome!
It’s understandable to feel anxious in these uncertain times. If your employees are struggling with low morale, put the above tips into practice.
Keep the lines of communication open, even if you’re not physically working together. Acknowledge your staff’s concerns and commend them for their continued efforts and hard work.
Finally, try to focus more on positive solutions than dwelling on present circumstances. If you do, you’re sure to have a happier workforce—now and long after the pandemic has passed.
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