As business owners we often think the only thing employees are interested in is more pay.  Studies have shown this is simply not true. Giving a raise to deserving employees is a positive move, but this alone won’t improve morale.

Here are some proven methods to boost morale in your workplace:

• Appreciation.  This is not difficult or costly.  You just need to remember to do so.  Criticism and discipline are much easier to dish out for some reason.  Tell employees you like what they have done and they are a really appreciated part of the team.

• Inclusion. Whether the news is good or bad, rallying your employees to update them is makes them feel important.  Keep confidential information confidential but for everything else be generous in sharing what you know.

• Acceptance. Accept them as humans with personal problems. A boss who is understanding and willing to make temporary adjustments will earn huge loyalty.

• Engaging Work with Growth Opportunities. Make sure to feed their souls.  Give people new challenges or interesting tasks.  Generally, employees will willingly take on these tasks in addition to their primary duties if it’s something that engages them.

• Tactful Discipline. Discipline is necessary only to make sure the same mistakes don’t happen in the future.  No one can change the past.  Approach an employee who needs discipline by saying: “Is there a process we need to put in place to prevent X from happening again?” What ever you are feeling, no yelling!

• A fun environment.  This does not have to be pool tables in the office.  You could adopt a charity and rally the employees to walk together. It might be promoting friendly competition or Fruit Fridays.  Try games and events or a creating a ‘fun committee’ to plan and oversee this aspect. 

What ever you are thinking, your employees might be thinking differently.  Get them involved. Yes, the job needs to get done, but remember, people try harder when they like where they work.