10 effective ways to boost employee morale

Today's workplaces can include in-person, hybrid, or fully remote employees, but no matter where they sit, employee morale and engagement are critical to maintaining a positive and productive work environment. 

High workplace morale can improve team performance, job satisfaction, and overall workplace culture. When employees feel valued and engaged, they are more likely to contribute creatively and perform at their best. This article explores 10 key techniques for how to improve employee morale and foster a positive team environment.

What is employee morale?

Before diving into strategies for boosting employee morale, it's important to first understand what the term entails. Put simply, employee morale refers to the overall outlook, attitude, satisfaction, and confidence that employees feel at work. 

Daphne Pedersen, Co-editor at The Social Science Journal, puts it this way: "Employee morale is a set of attitudes that employees have about their work, the organization, and those they work with—coworkers and supervisors."

SoulWork founder Stephanie Heath adds, "Employee morale is how employees feel about coming to work each day. For most, this means feeling like they’re in the right role for themselves and their goals, how much they feel seen, acknowledged, and respected, and how much they resonate with the company as a whole."

Why is employee morale important?

Caring about your team's morale and happiness isn't just the right thing to do—there's also a business case for it. A workplace that prioritizes employee morale cultivates an environment where employees are engaged, motivated, and aligned with the company’s goals. This leads to several key benefits:

• Higher employee engagement: Employees who feel connected to their work are more likely to contribute proactively and go the extra mile.
• Improved job satisfaction: Employees who experience high morale tend to feel more fulfilled in their roles.
• Increased productivity: Increased morale leads to higher engagement, and according to a Gallup study, highly engaged teams are 14% more productive. 
• Increased shareholder returns: All of that increased employee engagement and productivity can lead to increased shareholder returns. 
• Supportive company culture: A positive workplace culture fosters collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving, leading to more effective teams. 
• Reduced turnover: Engaged employees are more likely to stay at your company for longer. Since replacing an employee can cost one-half to two times their annual salary, reduced turnover can result in significant cost savings.

By boosting morale, companies gain a competitive advantage, cultivating a high-performing, motivated team. A positive work environment—where employers prioritize employee wellbeing and job satisfaction—can also be a strong asset for attracting top talent.

10 ways to boost team morale

Boosting employee morale doesn't happen by accident. It requires deliberate and thoughtful actions. Here are 10 ways companies can foster a more positive, engaged, and motivated workforce:

1. Align company values with everyday actions

A wide-ranging MIT study found that when asked about their companies' stated values—things like honesty, integrity, inclusivity, and innovation—most employees felt their companies' actual actions didn't stack up. Company values can influence your work environment and team morale, but only if those values are reflected in actions that reinforce your work.

The researchers in the MIT study also found that the key to closing the gap between stated values and actual values was communication. Companies that were transparent with their employees, even about challenges, tended to have a smaller gap between their stated values and their employees' perception of their actions.

2. Optimize meeting schedules to reduce fatigue

Studies show that the average office worker spends 12 hours each week preparing for and attending meetings. That can have a significant drain on employee morale.

There's a lot of talk about reducing time spent in meetings to combat meeting fatigue and preventing disruptions to employees' flow. But you can take that advice a step further and completely optimize your company's meeting culture to boost job satisfaction.

Scheduling company YouCanBookMe analyzed over half a million meeting invites and found that the optimal time for a meeting (either in person or via video call) is 2:30 on Tuesday afternoon. Researchers hypothesized that meeting attendees loved that time slot because it's early enough in the week for employees to still feel energized and late enough in the day for them to prepare without feeling like it takes over their entire workday.

Unfortunately, not every meeting can be scheduled on Tuesday afternoons, but there are still ways you can optimize meeting schedules. Consider, for example, reserving mornings for deep work and only allowing meetings in afternoons on specific days. 

3. Create communication guidelines

Clear communication is essential for any successful team. Establishing communication guidelines helps ensure that all team members are on the same page regarding expectations, response times, and proper channels for different types of work conversations. This structure reduces misunderstandings and fosters a more connected workplace, improving employee engagement and productivity. Communications guidelines should answer questions like:

• How quickly can you expect a response for different communication channels (i.e., a few hours for a Slack ping versus two business days for an email)?
• Which platforms to use for different kinds of requests (i.e., DMs for a one-on-one or quick check-in, or a message to a Slack channel for team updates)
• Where to go for non-work-related chatting (e.g., a water cooler Slack channel or the break area in a virtual workspace).

Communication guidelines should be tailored to each company's communication needs and preferred tools. But the overarching goal should be to clarify what communication channel to use and when, eliminating anxiety and guesswork. Then, store your guidelines somewhere central so all employees can access them as needed.

4. Plan intentional team-building activities

Team-building activities are a great way to build rapport and strengthen team morale. Whether in person or virtual, intentional team-building exercises can help employees connect on a more personal level, breaking down silos and encouraging collaboration. Activities like escape rooms, trivia nights, or outdoor challenges can help create shared experiences.

5. Incentivize work-life balance

Encouraging work-life balance is essential to preventing burnout and ensuring employees feel supported. And with the rise of remote and hybrid teams, it’s more important than ever to be intentional with policies that encourage employees to balance work and personal time. Here are a few tips to consider for your team: 

• Set clear expectations. Articulate what is expected regarding working hours, availability, response times, and goals. This will help employees manage their time effectively and reduce the pressure to be “always on.”
• Be mindful of schedules. It’s common for modern companies to have employees working across time zones or outside the traditional 9 to 5. If a team member sets their status as “away” or “busy” on your team's communication platform, respect that boundary and encourage the rest of the team to do the same. 
• Take time off. One of the best ways to encourage employees to take time off for vacations is to model this behavior among leadership. When leaders don't take breaks, it can create a culture where employees feel guilty doing so, contributing to low morale. 
• Give everyone the right to disconnect. Create a policy that allows employees to disconnect from work-related communications outside of their working hours without any repercussions.
• Provide wellness resources. To help employees manage stress and promote work-life balance, consider offering gym memberships, yoga classes, mental health services, and subscriptions to wellness apps.

6. Use SMART goals to set clear, achievable objectives

In a survey of employees, Effectory found that those with a clear understanding of their tasks, responsibilities, and processes at work were 53% more efficient and 27% more effective than peers who lacked clarity around their roles and goals. 

Use the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to help employees understand exactly what is expected of them and how they can contribute to the company’s success.

One study found that participants who used SMART goals were 33% more likely to achieve them than participants who didn't use a goal-setting framework.

7. Create pathways for career growth

Clear, explicit career pathways can provide your employees a sense of direction, purpose, and motivation, tying their daily tasks to their long-term professional growth. They also signal to employees that the company is invested in their growth, which can reduce turnover. 

And on remote or hybrid teams, especially those spread across geographies and time zones, it's up to leadership to make sure all employees have equal opportunities for advancement.

8. Recognize team members' achievements

Employee recognition is a simple but powerful way to boost employee morale. Here are a few ideas for your team:

• Shout out employees' accomplishments during team meetings. Share specifics about their achievements, their contributions to the team or project, and why they're appreciated. This recognizes the team members' effort and highlights the behaviors and attitudes you value.
• Implement regular recognition programs. "Employee of the Month" awards or peer-nominated awards can encourage a culture of appreciation.
• Send personalized notes to employees. A personalized note from a manager or leader acknowledging an employee's accomplishment can be extremely motivating. Boost employee engagement by reaching out personally when you notice a member of your team doing great work.
• Make social media announcements. With the employees' permission, share their achievements on your company's social media platforms. This public recognition can be a proud moment for employees and helps build your company's brand as one that values its people.

9. Foster team connections

Strong personal connections within a team can significantly boost morale. Encourage open communication, informal check-ins, and opportunities for social interaction. Whether through virtual coffee breaks or in-person lunches, fostering genuine connections helps build trust and camaraderie among team members.

10. Ask employees what they need

Sometimes, the best way to improve employee morale is to simply ask employees directly what they need. This approach not only demonstrates that you value their input and well-being but also provides insights into the resources and support that will most benefit them.

Team members can often pinpoint what will make their work lives easier, more productive, and more enjoyable. This could be better tech support, flexible work hours, professional development opportunities, or changes in communication methods. By giving your team a voice, you can better understand their unique challenges and preferences, building an environment that caters to diverse needs and boosts the overall employee experience.

While collecting, managing, and analyzing employee feedback at scale can be challenging, with Rippling’s survey tools, you can gather and analyze employee feedback company-wide. 

With features like customizable surveys and real-time analytics, Rippling enables you to efficiently collect feedback and gain a deeper understanding of your team's needs and concerns.

With the insights gained, you can implement changes that directly address your team's needs and foster a more supportive work environment.

Boost employee morale with Rippling

Managing your workforce with ease can directly contribute to employee morale and productivity. Rippling allows businesses to consolidate HR, IT, spend, and payroll into one unified platform, giving employees a seamless and efficient experience. By simplifying processes like onboarding and administering benefits, Rippling helps create a more organized and productive work environment, increasing employee engagement and satisfaction.

Workplace culture is constantly evolving, particularly in hybrid and remote work environments, so keeping morale high requires intentional efforts. Maintaining strong employee morale fosters collaboration, innovation, and long-term company success.

This blog is based on information available to Rippling as of October 3, 2024.

Disclaimer: Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.