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The motivation game

 

Play to win in five easy steps

It goes without saying that the current economic climate is proving less than favourable for businesses of all sizes in the UK. But in addition to CEOs and managers feeling the pinch caused by the economic downturn, staff motivation can also fall victim to cutbacks and belt-tightening.

In fact, Ben Willmott, Senior Public Policy adviser at the CIPD and co-author of ‘Employee outlook, Job seeking in a recession’, believes it is imperative for businesses to address the factors affecting employee motivation, “Without action to tackle some of the stresses and strains, employers could find employees’ health and wellbeing deteriorating, and employee engagement tailing off at precisely the time they need all hands to the pump to survive the recession and thrive in the recovery.”1

Make a positive difference

It’s important to stay positive. There are sensible measures you can take to help ensure your workplace remains happy and productive. By doing the right things now, you can help combat motivation issues before they become serious. Here are our five easy steps to boost staff morale in your business:

Five easy steps to boost staff moraleShow all

1. Adopt an open policy Hide

Let staff find out about changes from the top, not around the water-cooler. Keep everyone in the loop about decisions that may affect them.

2. Reward your performing employees Hide

Offer rewards and incentives, recognising good work or performance. Provide opportunities for career development. If you try to give employees more control over their work they’ll thank you for it.

3. Put the fun back into work Hide

Provide more opportunities for social interaction among employees, encouraging socialising outside work and lunches away from their desk. Review your policy on harassment to ensure no one on your team falls victim to bullying.

4. Speak to your employees Hide

Give your staff the opportunity to get involved in decisions that affect their jobs. Match workloads to your employees’ abilities and resources, avoiding unrealistic deadlines and the extra stress they can cause.

5. Don't make benefits a victim of the recession Hide

In a recent survey, 57% of employers thought their benefits package helped to engage employees.2 Cutting them to reduce costs could be a real false economy when it comes to protecting your company’s productivity. It’s a benefit that can keep workers happy in more ways than one.

  • 1. Job satisfaction rises as workers ‘grin and bear it’. People Management. www.peoplemanagement.co.uk, accessed 05.05.09.
    2. The Benefits Book 2009. Employee Benefits.

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The thing that's particularly relevant now is for people to feel secure.

They need to feel that their bosses are being open and honest with them.

Ben Gardner, Gardner Finance - Bupa SME research panel