202406101558 - Strategies to Promote Work-Life Balance and Boost Employee Morale

Title: 5 proven methods for boosting employee morale
URL: https://slack.com/blog/collaboration/methods-boosting-employee-morale
author: Claire Zulkey
bib:
tags: #work #lifestyle #corporateculture #management

1. Promote Work-Life Balance

• Remote Work Dynamics: While remote working is preferred, it can lead to longer hours. 39% of remote workers report working more hours compared to 31% of office-based workers.
• Case Study - The Slumber Yard: Implemented a no-work-emails policy between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. to prevent burnout.
  • Outcome: Employees became more energized and productive, reducing costly turnover.

2. Invest in Trust Building

• Transparency in Decision Making: 80% of workers want more transparency on decisions, and 87% value it in their future workplaces.
• Example - Culture Amp:
  • Values include trusting employees to make decisions and promoting vulnerability and feedback.
  • Initiatives like a Slack channel (#yay-we-failed) for discussing mistakes and a #ceo channel for direct communication with the CEO foster trust and transparency.
  • Pandemic Response: Daily videos from the CEO provided updates and reassurance, enhancing connection and transparency.

3. Go Beyond “My Door is Always Open”

• Active Engagement: Regular interaction with employees is crucial.
• Stay Interviews: Conducted by HR consultants like Marissa Letendre, these interviews focus on understanding what keeps employees motivated and what they would like to change.
  • Example - 70-person Company: Creation of a culture committee based on feedback led to a 32% increase in engagement and a 28% increase in performance.

4. Support Employee-Led Initiatives

• Example - PwC's Be Well, Work Well Program:
  • Initiated due to employee interest in wellness, covering dimensions like physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, financial, and social well-being.
  • Evolved with remote work to include virtual support and reimbursement for crisis childcare.
  • Demonstrates listening to and investing in employees’ well-being.

5. Don’t Ignore the Power of Small Gestures

• Recognition and Appreciation: Small gestures can significantly boost morale.
• Example - Canva:
  • Hybrid work model with employees required to be in the office only eight times a year.
  • Uses Disco, a platform integrated with Slack, for recognition.
  • Offers mindfulness and meditation app subscriptions, and personalized appreciation cards.

Ongoing Efforts for Boosting Team Morale

• Regular Assessment: Use employee satisfaction surveys or tools like Trivago's custom bot to measure sentiment.
• Balanced Approach: Cultivate morale with significant policies and career growth opportunities, alongside social events, regular recognition, and small tokens of appreciation.

Conclusion

Promoting work-life balance and enhancing employee morale involves strategic initiatives that range from policy changes to small, meaningful gestures. Regular engagement, transparent communication, and support for employee-led initiatives are crucial for fostering a positive and productive work environment.