The Small Business Times

How To Keep Employees Motivated in the Workplace

Keeping your employees motivated is a key part of any business’s success. Hiring the right people for the job is one thing, but if you want them to stay with you for a long time then making sure they’re happy and motivated is vital.

A motivated workforce can result in a big increase in your business’s productivity. Below are some helpful tips for keeping your employees motivated and engaged.

Implement a Reward and Recognition Programme

Offering employee rewards is a great way to keep your workers motivated. Offering regular rewards and recognition for good work will encourage your employees to carry on that good work, but it can also help improve morale and create a positive company culture.

This in turn can lead to increased employee retention, meaning that your employees will stay with you for years to come. So not only does a robust reward and recognition programme motivate employees and foster a healthy company culture, but it can also save you time and money associated with employee turnover.

When implementing such a programme, consider offering rewards that emphasise your employees’ physical and mental health. This can be done by offering healthy food and drink, gym vouchers or flexible working hours/time off- something that’s becoming increasingly desirable among workers.

Offering these can help mitigate stress levels and ensure your employees are in a good place both physically and mentally, which will further help with motivation levels.

Have Regular Team Meetings

Keeping employees updated on developments and targets is essential for improving motivation. Staff who are out of the loop on what they’re working towards will struggle to stay engaged. Holding regular meetings, either face-to-face or through the internet, can improve motivation by keeping staff up-to-date and making them feel like they are part of a team.

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Encourage participation during these meetings, as giving employees a say in how the company is run will make them more motivated to help the company succeed. Promoting a two-way communication street builds trust among the staff.

The employees can openly discuss grievances and shortcomings with their supervisors. In return, the managerial staff can incorporate feedback into the logistics. As a result, the employees feel heard and work diligently to complete the products on time. 

Offer Flexible Scheduling

Even though the employees have work wives and husbands, it doesn’t necessarily mean the workplace is their new home. The managerial staff must realise the employees have a complete outside of work, where they are not constantly monitored or subject to client guidelines. Therefore, the place of employment must offer flexible scheduling for the ultimate work-life balance.

Emergencies occur unexpectedly. As a result, employees may require time off or a shift change. The hierarchy must identify their struggles. Understanding their non-work-related responsibilities will motivate the employees to contribute to the company. All because the supervisor took time to listen to them!

Room for Growth

Whether scaling your business or not, give your employees enough room to grow and master their skills. Hovering over them constantly does more good than bad. They are likely to feel stressed and demotivated. While motivation is primarily perceived as monetary, psychological factors are involved too. 

Therefore, the company must train their managerial staff to act in a supportive capacity. If they see an under-performing employee, lead them by sharing experience and tips. Giving the employees ample opportunities to grow motivates them to stay and stay committed to the company

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Encourage Teamwork

Employees who are worried about making mistakes may struggle with motivation. Creating a healthy workplace culture wherein workers are encouraged to converse and work together to solve problems can help combat this.

Encouraging teamwork can foster better relationships among your workforce, fostering a sense of togetherness and loyalty. By encouraging your employees to work together, you can create a healthier atmosphere which can go a long way towards improving the motivation of your entire workforce. Collaboration can also result in increased innovation and productivity, which will help improve your company’s output.

Improve Your Workplace Aesthetics

Your employees spend a large portion of their day at your workplace, so it’s important that that space is comfortable and welcoming. A dark, cramped workplace will not do your employees’ motivation any good, so ensure that your workplace is well-lit, hygienic and spacious.

Maintaining a pleasant workplace will help keep your employees motivated and impress any visitors. You can involve employees by asking for their input on how the space is designed.

The Bottom Line

Employees are the core staff of any business. A motivated workforce is a key to success for any organisation. Therefore, hold meetings, monitor their progress, and follow these tips to ensure your staff is always happy and productive. You will discover fewer in-house conflicts with the employees morphing into a single-cell organism.