Usually, your workforce are full of zest, but not lately. They seem to be going through the motions. You know how driven they can be, so it’s frustrating to see that the spark has gone. What’s going on? The bad news is it’s a March slump. The good news is that it’s fixable.

To mark Employee Appreciation Day (4th March 2022), Feel Good Contacts has teamed up with business psychologist Jan P. de Jonge to offer some tips on how to strengthen employer/employee relationships, which are the core of any truly successful business. The key point is to not lose sight of the basics, which after two years of managing employees under difficult circumstances, many companies have lost.

Upfront trust
Treat your employees in a way that demonstrates that you feel that they earned your trust on the day they were first hired. Where possible, embrace the requests and expectations of ‘the modern worker’ to be given flexible working arrangements. Show them that you give them the freedom to exercise self-responsibility.

Communicate
Current developments cry out for a personal and genuine type of interaction. Employers that demonstrate sensitivity and an ability to combine modern (often online) solutions and software with a human touch and a listening ear will be more successful and make for a happier workforce that is eager to fight off any hints of March blues.

As a starting point, bosses need to show their softer side so that employees don’t see them as unapproachable superiors but as human beings. They could lighten the atmosphere by smiling, laughing and from time to time, participating in conversation that’s not always work related. It’s vital to build rapport with the staff that you worked so hard to recruit.

Clearly there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to dealing with low employee morale. But to make staff feel valued, call them by their names, make eye contact when talking to them and personally say thank you. Taking the time to show appreciation will help to uplift your workforce.

The 80s office

When so much work is dependent on using a screen there are small changes leaders can make that are inspired by a 1980’s office setting which will make a difference to employee wellbeing. HR must encourage bosses to stop firing e-mails and instead try picking up the phone and talking to employees. It would be even better if they could walk across the office and have a face-to-face discussion. They must keep open lines of communication and have an open-door policy.

Follow the leader

If employees are expected to keep up with their bosses by checking their emails 24/7 to stay ahead of the game, then they won’t be coming to work feeling fresh and raring to start the day. Management should ditch the e-mails when they’re out of office and they should tell their teams to do the same.

Management should also take a proper lunch break and their staff must do the same. This healthy habit will stop employees from glaring at their computer screens. We’re well aware of how damaging screen time can be to health and productivity. If everyone gets a proper break and some fresh air, they will feel refuelled and rested and be much more productive in the afternoon.

Leavism

Leavism has been labelled as the new scourge of working life. This is where employees take their annual leave to catch up on their backlog of work and check emails to keep ahead of the game. The aim is to appear keen and competitive and to keep their job secure. Bosses should be encouraging staff to take their annual leave to rest and enjoy their well-earned break. Whilst they are on annual leave, management should not bother them with emails. When they get back, they’ll be invigorated.

A sense of purpose

The HR team sees a bright future for the company, but employees need to see it too. Otherwise you’ll be faced with the attitude of “my work doesn’t matter” and “why do I bother, no one cares.” Be transparent and communicate your company vision and goals. Your workforce will be driven if they have confidence in their leaders and if they can see how their actions can contribute towards the bigger picture.

Leaders are great listeners

Employee morale has a direct effect on productivity, so HR needs to encourage the business leaders to listen to the workforce. By giving them the confidence to suggest ideas, employee morale will be boosted as they will feel that their opinions matter. The business will also benefit, by expecting the best from your staff, you’ll get the best from them.

Let’s get physical

You’ve heard the saying; a healthy body equals a healthy mind. Our working world is designed so that we are sitting for eight hours a day. This is the most passive thing you can do which means that you’re not metabolising sugars and fats. Research shows that long periods of sitting can have a detrimental impact on our health and wellbeing and cut years off our lives. The World Health Organisation listed inactivity as the fourth biggest risk factor in global adult mortality. Try, to encourage mood boosting healthy habits. Why not inject a bit of fun during a post lunch slump and introduce some deskercise?

Don’t treat this as the latest HR project
Companies often create and roll-out projects and programmes to lift and improve employee well-being during the dark days that hits some workers at the beginning of the year. Businesses would do well to understand that it is wise to substitute temporary programmes with sustained approaches which aim to continuously improve ‘the way we lead and you work’. This is a far more effective method of looking after the organisation and its people.

Need versus Speed
Companies that recognise the varying needs of employees and are willing to invest in those needs (accepting some financial risk with it) may well outperform those organisations that quietly prioritise efficiency and short-term productivity targets.

Invest in skills
Employers must help their staff to find their way around new tools and techniques that are gaining ground in the era of hybrid working. The proportion of workers that is reticent or uncomfortable (or avoid!) using video-conferencing tools, for instance, is not negligible. Organisations that acknowledge this and invest in training will reap the rewards.

Office interiors

HR departments should also review the office environment. Employees want to spend time in an office that looks good. How about painting the walls a new colour and rearranging the furniture? You could also introduce some new artwork to the walls. Motivational messages are good but don’t overdo it. Mix it up with some interesting artwork.

The addition of seasonal flowers and plants can help to soften the feel of an office environment plus it gives the office a lovely aroma. It’s important to keep the office feeling fresh, a warm stuffy office can make employees feel sleepy, especially during the post lunch period, so from time to time open the windows for some fresh air.

Conclusion

Getting employees to work to their skills and potential should not be like pulling teeth. HR departments and management hold the cards to creating a better working environment and culture. By working closely together, they can boost employee morale during this slump. It isn’t difficult, but it does take time and commitment.