It’s the most wonderful – and stressful – time of the year. Your employees are no exception. They can easily get overloaded due to the increase in demands at work and at home.
The bad news? Stressed employees are more prone to mistakes, less productive, and at greater risk of burnout. For businesses, this can mean missed deadlines, employee conflict, and higher costs related to turnover and healthcare. The good news? There are several ways you can help to improve morale and reduce stress among your staff. Here are some tips to get started.
4 Tips to Improve Morale and Reduce Stress
When it comes to improving morale and reducing employee stress, consider these four tips:
Tip #1: Encourage Open Communication
Employees want to feel heard and valued. That’s why it’s important to make sure there are open channels where staff are comfortable communicating about issues and concerns. Schedule regular one-on-one meetings, as well as team meetings to check in with your people. You can also create an opportunity for the most authentic feedback with anonymous surveys. Once you know the challenges and issues your employees are facing, you can work toward addressing them.
Tip #2: Offer Flexible Work Options
Flexibility can greatly reduce stress, especially for employees juggling demanding personal responsibilities, like those with young children or aging parents. Providing them with options such as remote work, hybrid schedules, or condensed workweeks can go a long way in enabling them to manage their time more effectively and cut down on stress.
Tip #3: Recognize and Reward Achievements
Celebrate the wins – big or small – so employees know that you recognize and value their achievements. This can be through company-wide shout-outs, employees newsletters, social media channels, or in other ways, like bonuses or gift cards. Even a simple “thank you” makes employees feel special and appreciated for their hard work.
Tip #4: Promote Wellness at Work
You can further help your employees during this hectic time of year with wellness programs. To do this, offer resources for stress management, access to mental health professionals, or fitness perks like gym memberships or on-site yoga classes. Your employees will feel more supported, which can further address stress and improve morale.
Ready to Build a Happier Workplace This Holiday Season and All Year?
If your employees are still feeling stressed due to an overwhelming amount of work, turn to Future Force for help. We offer staffing services for temporary and direct hire positions and can help you to increase manpower, whether on a temporary or full-time basis, so employees are less stressed and more engaged. Contact our recruitment firm in Orlando, FL, today to get started.