Employee morale can have a direct effect on your company's productivity, so boosting your employees' job satisfaction isn't just about making the office a more pleasant place to work. Some of the best ways to improve employee morale involve rewarding your employees for a job well done, Bob Nelson, author of "1001 Ways to Reward Employees," says in "Fortune" magazine.
Financial Rewards
Salary increases and bonuses almost always boost employee morale, according to "CIO" magazine. If you can't manage company-wide raises, "CIO" recommends looking for ways to reward your top performers with salary bumps or spot performance bonuses. When you're strapped for cash, a few spontaneous bonuses throughout the year for outstanding work can make employees feel like they're working for a generous company.
Learning Rewards
Giving your employees the opportunity to increase their professional skill sets can also improve employee morale, says Jane Goldner, talent retention expert and author of "Driven to Success: A 10-Point Checkup for Achieving High-Performance in Business" Workshops and classes are good options, but if your budget is tight, consider enlisting talented staffers to share their knowledge with other team members.
Recognition Rewards
Employees want to feel appreciated, and recognizing their personal and professional achievements can be a productive way to improve their feelings of appreciation and their morale, according to "HR World." Institute an employee of the month program to recognize an outstanding worker. Write personal notes to employees who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Have a monthly or weekly employee appreciation lunch catered. Send your employees birthday cards to their homes. Simple gestures like these can make your employees feel much more appreciated--and happier--at their jobs.
Time Rewards
According to "Forbes," giving your employees more flexibility when it comes to their working hours can significantly improve morale. Consider giving days off as bonuses, instituting summertime or holiday half-day Fridays or awarding employees a day off during November for holiday shopping. Even something as simple as letting employees work flexible hours so that they can come in early or leave late without special permission can boost morale.
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