We all want our employees to be happy, motivated, and engaged at work. But sometimes it can feel like the only way to achieve this is by shelling out more money. There are plenty of ways to motivate employees without resorting to a wage increase.
Keep reading for our top 12 tips.
1. Offer employees flexible work hours
While it can seem an insurmountable task, even a factory can run on a flexible schedule, offering for people to work the hours of their choice, as long as all the shifts are covered.
2. Give employees the opportunity to telecommute
Being able to work from home, even once a week, can take a lot of pressure off of people. A day of quiet at home, getting work done and not needing to commute can be a powerful motivator.
3. Offer paid time off for employees to use as they see fit
PTO (paid time off) should be at the employee’s discretion, not the employers. As long as adequate notice is given, the employer needs to cover the shifts, not the employee.
4. Implement a wellness program that offers health and fitness benefits
A gym membership or a yoga studio membership shares your commitment to your employees’ good health. Since you can get group discounts, it can be a great way to give everyone a little something extra.
5. Allow employees to take advantage of company discounts
If your employees have a need for what you build or sell, offer them steep discounts for whatever they want. For many of us, paying full price for something we helped build feels a little insulting.
6. Offer educational opportunities, such as tuition reimbursement or professional development courses
Even factory and service industry workers can benefit from more educational opportunities. They don’t have to be directly related to their current job, but can be something they simply want to learn.
7. Allow employees to bring their pets to work for a day
If it’s workable, bringing your dog to work can be relaxing and make work feel more like home. This type of day leads to a happy and relaxed workforce that is more productive.
8. Let employees express themselves (appropriately)
such as in their clothing, the decor of their space, or listening to music through headphones – The standard suit-and-tie look is fine, but it isn’t necessary to getting the work done most of the time. Let your team relax and be themselves as often as possible. If there’s a day each week where clients aren’t allowed in and no one is doing video calls, why not allow a casual dress day?
9. Free lunch or dinner once a week
Setting out food and letting people eat when they want to is a great way to motivate everyone. It cuts their costs, creates a sense of family, and is relatively inexpensive.
10. Create events that bring everyone together in non-work activities
A Friday afternoon friendly football game can be a nice way to create team spirit without it being directly about work. Don’t forget, though, that not everyone is into physical sports. If someone wants to create a knitting circle or a Dungeons & Dragons game at that time, let them.
11. Randomly give everyone a day off if they want it
Imagine walking in and telling everyone that they have the day off, paid. Even half a day can be amazing. “Everyone can go home at noon today, if you want. You’ll be paid for the whole day.” (Want to see how productive people can be, tell them they have half the time to do all their work. Bet you they get it all done in that four hours!)
12. Speak sincerely with every employee at least once a week
Everyone, from the CTO to the janitorial staff, needs to know they’re doing well. Grab a cuppa and walk around. See how everyone is doing. Ask them what they need in their jobs and their lives. Note what they say. You can be a genuine hero by making things happen for them.
You don’t need to pay people more to motivate them. In fact, increasingly, quality of life is a bigger motivator than money for many employees.
Share ways you motivate your staff. We’d love to hear.
Payroll Services for your staff Members
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Categories: Boost Morale, Employment and related matters, Employment issues, Home Working, Motivate, Working Remotely
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