Running a workplace can be a complex and challenging business, with many different facets to keeping the team happy and productive. Of course, different employers will have their own ways of managing the workplace - some of which will have served them very well over the years - but there are certain general rules which employers need to be aware of. Employees' expectations have changed over the years. Whereas at one time they will have generally accepted quite close micromanagement of the working day, they now tend to expect their routine to be rather more fluid. The maintenance of workplace morale has become increasingly important as the structure of work has changed.
For one thing, employers worth their salt will already be aware that a happier workplace is generally likely to be a more productive one. Workers who do not feel motivated by their job are likely to be distracted and unproductive as a result. Employers, rather than simply dismissing these workers as lazy, should look at whether their own approach to managing the workforce causes disaffection. Even previously hardworking and dedicated members of the team may soon start to become distracted and unhappy if they feel their employer is no longer paying any attention to them or making any effort to engage with them. This can lead to high levels of staff turnover, which can prove very costly to employers.
Losing experienced and knowledgeable members of the team can leave employers in the lurch. After all, replacing people who have years of experience is always likely to prove particularly tough. Not only is training new recruits time-consuming and expensive, but it's also worth remembering that it could take years before they're at the same level as the workers they've replaced. Employers have to make the effort to ensure that experienced workers stay with the organisation for the long haul, otherwise they could suffer as a result.
Economic downturns can have a particularly deleterious impact on workplace morale if employers fail to manage the situation appropriately. It becomes tempting for employers to load more duties on to workers when the financial outlook is uncertain, but when this is combined with wage cuts or freezes, it can soon start to weigh heavily on workers' considerations. They may come to the conclusion that they simply have no choice but to seek alternative opportunities elsewhere. This is why employers must remember the importance of maintaining workplace morale, even when times are especially tough.
