Five ways to raise morale at work
We all know it can be rough to start the week on Monday morning. That is why it is called WORK!
But any good manager knows that a happier worker is more productive and also contributes to a positive work atmosphere. An effective manager will take steps to raise morale in the workplace. Studies have shown that to the degree a worker feels empowered, they are less stressed. Those are large management issues which should be addressed. But not here. What follows is five small ways to upgrade morale the working day.
Lunch.  Provide your staff with a free lunch. If it can’t be every day, let it be once a week. Or once a month. It shows respect and appreciation and everyone enjoys a chance to sit around over a sandwich or a slice and talk about something besides the crisis du jour. For a few dollars a head you have let your people know that you like them, that you value their efforts and that you think social time together is worthwhile.
Bring your dog to work. Dogs are great stress relievers. And dog owners love a chance to show their darlings off. Even if dogs at work every day might corrupt the professionalism of a workplace (everyone might become just a little less serious and step out of overdrive for a second or two!) occasional designated canine days let everyone know what the core values of a company encompass.
Birthdays. This is a much maligned area. People feel very put upon, celebrating too many birthdays (except, of course, their own.)  However, why shouldn’t they be noted? Instead of endless collections for gifts, let the standard be a $25 gift card from management. That is a micro-mini annual bonus, and no one else should be tapped. And the celebrations should be aggregated—once a week or once a month. Because absolutely no one needs all that cake all the time!
DVD/Book Exchange. This is a simple as a take one, leave one box. People share their tastes, and get rid of something unwanted in a constructive way. And once a month someone will be designated to remove the 1989 edition of Economics for College Freshman from the bottom of the box.
No onsite solicitations. This requires the absence of an activity. All collections for school candy sales, team pizza sales, missionary activities, widow and orphan charities and every other relief of human misery must STOP! People do not need to feel like pikers when the plate is passed for the fourteenth time that week. If someone is that kind of softhearted soul who cannot say no, their generosity should not be exploited. If the charitable impulse is really implacable, those who wish may contribute some small sum to a kitty, and then draw straws. The winner may decide to which of an agreed upon list of charities it will be contributed.
So the principle is; work is hard, let’s be nice to each other. Although we Americans are well known puritans, misery does not really equate with productivity. Let’s be radical and see what letting a little happiness into the workplace does. To read more about raising morale read this article, “Methods to Increase Morale at the Workplace.”
