Employee Relations Ideas
Employers who are having trouble getting workers excited about a new project or who have seen an increase in resignations may be headed for major employee-relations problems. It's worth taking the time to look for ways to address such issues. The more employee morale drops, the more productivity and customer service will suffer.
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Communication
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Managers and supervisors may already be aware that they should communicate regularly with workers to strengthen relationships within their company. In its tips for managers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that employers examine how they're communicating with employees to increase their chances of achieving the desired results. For example, the USDA suggests giving employees general information about what happens at upper-level staff meetings. Such information can keep employees on track with the company's mission and help them identify their role and importance in accomplishing that mission.
Employee Morale
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A workplace-safety company in Philadelphia boosts morale by giving employees more responsibility, according to a 2008 article in Forbes magazine. For example, the company's employee committees are responsible for setting up health fairs and other community events. The committees give employees the chance to demonstrate their leadership skills, which also helps the company identify future company leaders.
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Employee Involvement
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Macy's department stores seeks information from its sales people to gauge customer demand for merchandise from store to store. A 2010 Chicago Tribune article titled "Macy's Gets Gold Star for Employee Morale" says Macy's began seeking its employees' advice on merchandise after the company took over Marshall Field department stores in 2006. The takeover was preceded by public protests, and it triggered a drop in employee morale. The Tribune says Macy's inclusion of employees in its merchandise selections won the favor of longtime Marshall Field workers and boosted employees' appreciation for the company's management.
Other Ideas
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Ensure that employees benefit from the company's success if you want them to be invested in the future of the business. Inc. magazine suggests providing profit-sharing plans because they give employees an incentive to be concerned about working to protect and bolster company profits. Consider recognizing personal events in employees' lives as well, such as weddings and anniversaries marking the number of years they've worked with the company. Employees feel less like they're a small cog in a large wheel if employers recognize personal events.
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References
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Tips for Managers: How to Communicate With Employees
- Forbes magazine; How To Boost Employee Morale on a Budget; Jane Applegate; August 2008
- Inc. magazine;10 Tips for Boosting Employee Morale; Jacqueline M. Hames; January 2011
- Inc. magazine; 7 Tips for Motivating Employees; April 2010
- Chicago Tribune; Macy's Gets Gold Star for Employee Morale; Robert Channick; November 2010
- Photo Credit business colleagues image by Vladimir Melnik from Fotolia.com
