When employee morale is running high, it can seem like there is nothing your team can’t accomplish. Your workers are super-productive, they have a positive outlook, and their work quality is stellar. But when employee morale is low, work output and outcomes can suffer, and trying to motivate your staff members can feel like pushing boulders uphill.Understanding what employee morale is and its importance is obvious to everyone in the workplace - and in some cases, to people on the outside looking in. That’s why managers need to take a read on their staff from time to time and find out how to raise employee morale if they see a decline in enthusiasm and job performance creeping into the workplace."In addition to being an increasingly worrying issue for professionals, burnout is a major challenge for employers as well," said Koula Vasilopoulos, Senior Managing Director, Robert Half, Canada. "When employees are burned out due to heavy workloads and understaffed teams, businesses risk decreased productivity and morale, losing valued team members, and revenue loss due to falling behind on key timelines for critical projects." Robert Half Canada Press ReleaseNow more than ever, it’s worth paying close attention to workplace morale. A recent Robert Half survey found that nearly half of professionals across Canada feel burned out at work, and 31 per cent say their burnout is worse than it was a year ago. The top contributing factors include:heavy workloads and long hours (39 per cent),emotional or mental fatigue from high-stress tasks (38 per cent),a tie between insufficient work-life balance, lack of management support or recognition, and lack of professional growth opportunities (all 28 per cent).Left unaddressed, this type of strain can erode morale and job performance, leading to not only poor morale but decreased productivity.
The first step to tackling how to raise employee morale is using your powers of observation to get some ideas about what may be contributing to the problem. Don’t immediately assume the worst. Poor morale in the workplace isn’t necessarily a byproduct of a lackluster or toxic work environment.Unexpected, dramatic change can also be a factor for low morale at work. Whether it be workplace-specific conditions or things occurring outside of work, it can all affect the overall attitude and demeanor of employees. Even among top employees, outside distractions can make it even harder to stay engaged and positive during work.Let your employees know they can talk with you about any issues they may have, and, when the situation allows, consider offering accommodations such as scheduling flexibility or other perks that may be able to raise employee morale.For managers, boosting morale and employees’ confidence and mood can sometimes be a daunting task, especially if you are managing a hybrid or remote team. However, it’s critical for businesses to dedicate time towards raising low employee morale, because if left unanswered, it can cause top talent to leave and projects to be delayed.Learn how to strengthen corporate culture today
What causes low morale? The three signs to watch for
How do you know if employee morale is slipping? See the sections below for three telltale signs to watch for in your team members. Don’t worry, we’ve included some simple strategies for counteracting each issue.1: A persistent, negative attitudeSometimes, it’s hard for employees to conceal a foul mood after they’ve had a bad day at work. And even normal levels of work-related stress can give rise to frustration and discouragement. These are typical reactions to temporary problems. But a persistent, negative attitude - especially from someone who has otherwise been a positive force in your workplace - is a big red flag signaling severely deflated morale. A lack of willingness to cooperate with teammates or commit to new assignments is another clear warning sign of trouble.Persistent negativity may also point to emotional exhaustion or disengagement tied to burnout. Groups especially prone to this include:Professionals in the legal and HR fields (59%)Working parents (51%)Millennial professionals (50%)2: Poor work performance and qualityMissed deadlines, a high number of mistakes, or a decline in service levels can all be side effects of low morale in the workplace. Early signals that work performance and quality may be at risk include employees’ waning enthusiasm for or interest in their assignments.Boredom is often a factor for a lack of initiative which can lead to poor work outcomes and drop morale. Your employees may be eager for new challenges. Or, on the other side of the coin, they may be feeling overwhelmed. If they’re feeling distracted or unmotivated, they might be struggling to meet their usual work standards.But burnout is just as likely to be at play. Heavy workloads, high-stress tasks or lack of management support – all top contributors to burnout identified by Robert Half – can leave employees feeling disengaged, distracted or overwhelmed.Read 5 Ways Employers in Canada Can Prevent Work Burnout to mitigate burnout and raise employee morale.3: An overactive rumour millCommunication is essential for successful staff management and a key tactic for how to raise employee morale during times of change. If you do not take a proactive, thoughtful and strategic approach to sharing information with your staff, you risk letting the rumour mill take control of communication for you. It can affect how to raise employee morale late on because gossip amongst workers can spread quickly across not just the office, but hybrid and remote work environments.
Strategies to keep up morale
Think of it this way: fixing morale issues is far easier when you catch them early. In Canadian workplaces, having strategies in place to boost team morale means you can respond quickly to any dips, rather than trying to rebuild from the ground up once major problems emerge.Below are three strategies for raising employee morale based on the signs above.Addressing a persistent, negative attitude:The first step to boost employee morale in this type of situation is to identify the problem, whether it’s simple or complex. Set up a time to talk one-to-one with your staff member. Ask your employee if the problem weighing them down is work-related or personal. If it’s the first, you can then suggest strategies for mitigating the issue. If it’s the latter, encourage your employee to take the time necessary to address the problem. If that means time away from certain projects, help make arrangements to ensure their responsibilities are covered in the interim. Recognizing that personal challenges can also impact work-life balance, many workplaces in Canada provide robust programs and confidential resources designed to help employees access professional support when needed. Check in with your HR department and connect the employee to the resources if available.Addressing poor work performance and quality:Foster an environment in which employees are encouraged to take the initiative, solve problems and demonstrate leadership. This is a vision you need to communicate clearly and from the start to your staff, as it is not likely to happen without you setting an example and providing guidance. It is a crucial point of reference for then benchmarking performance.Have regular one-to-one meetings with your team members to gauge how they feel about the type and amount of work they are being asked to manage. Do they feel overwhelmed by their workload? Or do they feel their assignments aren’t making the best use of their skills? By gaining insight into their capacity and unique abilities, you can strategically adjust workloads and assignments, ensuring their time is optimized and their skills are best utilized.Employee recognition is another way to raise employee morale. Offer your team timely praise, low-cost awards and, if possible, spot bonuses for their achievements. It’s easy to forget to express your sincere appreciation to your employees when stress and workloads are running high, and you’re operating across a hybrid work environment.Read How Canadian Employers Can Get Employee Appreciation Right for more tips.Addressing an overactive rumour mill:Share timely and regular updates with your team members, and make sure all employees who need to be in the loop on key announcements hear from you firsthand. Also, be honest with your workers about any changes that may impact their roles or the company. Armed with timely and accurate information, employees will be less inclined to fill in the blanks with their imagination. To help keep communication flowing, let employees know they can come to you with questions or to have a chat over work or company-related issues. Let staff members know they can approach you at any time to ask questions or express their concerns.
Other ways to raise employee morale
While it’s important for managers to monitor the level of morale in the workplace, raising low morale isn’t just about solving problems as they crop up – though when they do, they should be addressed as quickly as possible.One key element of high employee morale is a continual focus on employee engagement, career development, and creating a positive workplace culture. In a Robert Half survey of Canadian workers, when asked what influences their decision to stay with an employer, professionals said:fair and reasonable workloads and expectations (70 per cent),opportunities for career advancement and supportive managers (tied at 69 per cent),positive work and team cultures (68 per cent),Consider implementing employee satisfaction surveys to gather feedback and understand your team's needs. This will not only help managers achieve organizational goals but contribute to overall employee well-being and workplace productivity.Organizations and their leaders should not wait until emergencies arise to focus on employee morale, especially in a tight labour market for skilled talent. The attention you give to raising employee morale can help fortify relationships with your staff, improve retention, and ultimately lead to greater business success.
Hire talentAbout Robert Half: As a global leader in recruitment, Robert Half brings a world of expertise to Canadian job seekers and employers. Our dedicated team of talent specialists understand the unique nuances of the Canadian employment landscape, providing invaluable guidance on everything from market trends to career transitions. We are passionate about connecting top talent with rewarding opportunities, helping individuals build successful careers and businesses thrive across the country.
