Problem
Imagine yourself as a manager of a firm that has a flawed culture. It is more likely that you will experience issues related to low productivity, dissatisfaction at work, and higher professional attrition. A 2020 survey of 1,050 employees by OnePoll found that nearly half of American workers (47%) have quit a job due to low morale (Kuswati, 2020). The majority of respondents indicated they would have invested more effort at work if their management had acknowledged their contributions. Therefore, it is equally important to address aspects regarding employee morale to improve workers’ attitudes and their level of contentment in the organization.
Concurrently, in a separate study, approximately one-third of employees argued that if their colleagues and peers appreciated their work, they would not have terminated their contracts even with unappreciative management. The majority of them claimed they felt underappreciated by their workplace every day, and 59% reported that their employers had never shown genuine appreciation for their hard work (Paais & Pattiruhu, 2020). Therefore, employees easily lose enthusiasm and commitment at work (morale) if they presume that their efforts are not being acknowledged or valued. With that in mind, boosting employee morale should be one of the most essential aspects of an organization that needs to be prioritized by all managers.
Causes of Lack of Morale Among Workers
From my previous discussion, it is clear that the loss of morale is a byproduct of employees being unappreciated by management. When a manager assigns certain employees to tedious, demanding, or stressful assignments with tight deadlines, they are likely to feel underappreciated and hence deprived of morale (Marcu, 2018). Additionally, some workers claim that they do not feel valued because management does not involve them in decision-making processes and this affects their morale.
Solution
Bonus payments, workplace celebrations, flexible schedules, and remote working opportunities have all been known as effective strategies to boost morale. The remarkable advantages linked with work parties, nonetheless, have allowed them to retain their prominence for a long time among all of these alternatives (Ali et al., 2020). It takes a lot of time and money to host a work celebration. However, your employees will undoubtedly be grateful if you give them a good experience. Through such parties, staff members can realize that you value their contributions to the business, thus boosting their morale and promoting professional retention.
Additionally, work parties are a perfect method for your employees to connect with their employer, management, and colleagues from different departments. We can all agree that the workplace is a stressful setting. Therefore, a work party is a great way to release tension and give your staff a chance to unwind and enjoy themselves. Perhaps your staff members have limited social opportunities, so they truly expect an office party on their social calendar.
Employees may feel more motivated after attending a work party as they get a chance to relax and replenish their strength by engaging in different types of recreational activity. This gives them the energy they need to face obstacles at work (Bolgurova, 2020). Furthermore, it is critical to acknowledge and appreciate the accomplishments of your employees during these parties. Make an effort to ensure that their successes are acknowledged, even if it is simply with a congratulatory pat on their backs. This brief compliment can make a big impact on how a worker feels about their job and work environment.
As I conclude there are numerous alternatives to the traditional drinks and food that most people associate with work parties. Office celebrations can take the form of a paintball game, river cruise, live band performance, pottery workshop, dance session, or comedy show. Although the alternatives are limitless, you need to carefully consider your staff preferences, their hobbies, and the options in your local area before making your selection. Lastly, thank you so much for showing up on time and being an attending audience. May God bless you.
References
Ali, A. M., Kee, D. M. H., Singh, A., Pandey, R., Alhamlan, H., Ahmad, K. M., Quttainah, M. A., Siw, Y. M., Ong, S. R., & Narayanan, Y. (2020). Does motivation improve employees job performance? A case of absolute hotel services. International Journal of Tourism and Hospitality in Asia Pacific (IJTHAP), 3(3), 9-21.
Bolgurova, R. (2020). Company celebrations in international firms in Bulgaria. Are we what we celebrate? Comparative Southeast European Studies, 68(4), 485-504.
Kuswati, Y. (2020). The effect of motivation on employee performance. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute (BIRCI-Journal): Humanities and Social Sciences, 3(2), 995-1002.
Marcu, M. (2018). Rituals and ceremonies a form of manifestation of corporate culture. New Creative Approaches in Social Sciences, 55. ISBN 978-606-11-6606-0
Paais, M., & Pattiruhu, J. R. (2020). Effect of motivation, leadership, and organizational culture on satisfaction and employee performance. The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business, 7(8), 577-588.