Employee Motivation: Best Practices To Keep Workers Engaged and Happy

Is employee motivation lacking in your organization? If so, there are some things you can do to boost morale. Learn more in this guide.

According to a Zippia survey, roughly 50% of American workers dislike their jobs. It’s a staggering statistic, especially for managers and business owners. After all, this figure means there are probably several employees in your company facing dissatisfaction. 

In an era where many businesses have staffing shortages, it’s crucial to keep as many of your employees as possible. The question is, how can you increase your employee motivation and make them want to stay with you? 

It may sound like a challenging task, but there are several strategies for motivating employees. We’ll cover eight motivational tips in the guide below, so keep reading to find the answers you need!

1. Motivate Employees with Appreciation

The Zippia survey above found that underappreciation is the second most-cited reason for workplace dissatisfaction. A 2017 report found that 70% of workers say motivation would improve if they received more appreciation. 

Think about how essential each of your employees is to the success of your business. In some companies, one employee’s absence can cause significant disruption!

Most of the time, your employees know they play a significant role in your business. They want to feel that their bosses appreciate their time and effort. 

That leads us to ask how you show that appreciation. Different companies use several tactics to show employees how much their work means.

Some may offer swag bags and gifts to workers with exceptional performances. Others may provide small bonuses to those with excellent productivity. It often helps to survey employees to learn what gestures they’d appreciate most. 

2. Set Clear and Measurable Objectives

Have you ever had a project that seemed to drag on forever? If so, your employees probably felt the same way. 

Working on a project without seeing any progress can become demoralizing to anybody. So, ensure your employees know that their work helps move the projects along. 

The best way to do this is to set small and measurable goals. These goals help people keep track of the project and gauge its progress.

As a result, employees can tell that their work helps move the project along. It also gives them a timeframe to make the project feel more manageable. These effects can motivate employee teams and incentivize them to work harder to meet the goals. 

3. Build Teamwork to Boost Employee Motivation

Anyone who’s played on a sports team understands the power of teambuilding. Team members build each other up and have each other’s backs. They work together to accomplish a common goal.

That relationship carries over into the working world. Managers should build teams of employees that foster the same sense of comradery and unity. 

These teams don’t just make your business more productive. Often, they motivate employees to stay in their jobs. 

Several studies demonstrate that peers and co-workers are the dominant factor in employees going the extra mile at work. Positive workplace relationships also encourage people to remain at work. 

4. Keep Employees Fueled 

The term “hangry” exists for a reason. Hunger negatively impacts people’s moods and productivity. That’s why the law requires businesses to give employees a lunch break. 

Unfortunately, many employees focus so much on their work tasks that it feels impossible to stop and eat. Fortunately, there’s a way to keep employees from starving at work. 

All you have to do is keep some snacks and drinks at the office. Many places do this by installing vending machines on the premises. Others provide food stipends for remote workers. 

5. Take Breaks

Many offices require their employees to remain seated throughout much of the day. However, sitting down all day isn’t healthy. People need a chance to get up and move around. 

So, encourage your workers to take short breaks every 1-2 hours. These can be times for people to walk the grounds, grab a snack, or do something else. Time away from a problem can help them recalibrate and think of new solutions.    

6. Give People Flexibility

It’s no secret that many people have left their jobs in the post-COVID world. Many industries struggle to regain the employees they lost over pandemic shutdowns. 

One reason that many people cite for this is a lack of flexibility. Working from home allowed workers to experience greater autonomy in their work day. Returning to a rigid office schedule sounds unbearable once you’ve tasted increased freedom. 

So, find ways to provide some of that flexibility. You can do this by following this framework. Tell your employees the tasks they must complete and what the deadline is for them. 

Then, allow them the freedom to decide when they’ll do the work in the meantime. Some may come into the office earlier than others. Other employees may decide to work on weekends. 

7. Let Nature Into Your Office

Did you know that exposure to nature improves mental health? In Japan, there’s a therapy called “forest bathing” that allows people to stroll through the woods and soak in the natural scenery. 

You can follow the same principle by bringing nature into your office. For example, consider bringing greenery and plants in as decorations. Also, find ways to let natural light into the office. 

8. Celebrate Positive Results

Celebrating the end of a long project helps motivate people and demonstrates your appreciation. So, how can you celebrate these accomplishments effectively? 

There are a few different approaches. First, you can express your appreciation to individual employees who excelled in this project. For example, you could say, “Dave, you did great on the last project. Your work is going to help our customers, and we appreciate your personal touch.” 

Other ways to show appreciation include in-house celebrations. This could include having a business provide massages for your employees or catering a lunch for your team. 

Consult Our Services To Show Employee Appreciation

These eight motivation tips can help you dramatically improve your employee motivation. They can improve your company culture and show your appreciation for your workers. 

However, you may wonder how to take the best tangible steps for these tips. One of these is to consult a business that specializes in company wellness. 

We offer services precisely like this. Our company offers massages, yoga, and spa days for companies and their employees.

These help your workers remain healthy and stay motivated. Contact us today to learn more!