Collectively, the world is going through a lot. There is a lot going on that is having a lot of negative effects on our day-to-day lifestyles, and probably bringing us down. But the biggest problem people can have is to be stuck in a job that they can feel the excitement for slowly seeping out.
It can be hard to stay motivated for your job, but a prompt from bosses can help a lot. Take a look at our guide to keeping your employees motivated in 2022.
Use software to your advantage
Keeping organized is a big part of keeping motivated, and there is a lot of useful software options that can help productivity around the workplace.
The best is undoubtedly Trello, which gathers everyone in the one online space for a checklist of tasks. You can assign everyone in the office tasks they need to get through, or you can split up a big project amongst your staff members. The little dose of serotonin people get from ticking off something from their list will transfer into the workday, and you have the added benefit of knowing who is pulling their weight and who is falling behind.
There is also the concept of a shared calendar, which Google has as a mainstream option, but brands like Asana and Calendly have perfected. Set up meetings and conference calls, add appointments for when your team members have to be out of the office, allow them to check what’s happening before they ask for a holiday they won’t get, etc.
Benefits and bonuses
Benefits and bonuses are hugely influential to a staff member. They might even rely on them, depending on what you’re offering. Benefits can range from gym memberships to a company car or mileage paid for. You could offer dental, medical insurance, life insurance, etc.
Benefits will give ongoing motivation as your staff members will have something more than a salary prompting them to get to work. There is a point in the cycle of a new job where the shine wears off, and you need a little more to motivate you to do well in work. Benefits are a great example of that. It shows that you consider them worthy and is great for the onboarding of quality staff members.
Bonuses, on the other hand, are one off’s, which make them the more affordable option. You also get to entice quality workers in the onboarding process, but you also get to reward those who deserve it. You can offer bonuses to people who are doing a good job, or at the close of a big project to validate the feelings of your employees and prompt more good work for the next time.
Keep them comfortable
It’s well documented by now just how unhealthy sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day can be. Muscle cramps, backpain, neckache, eye ache, not to mention a headache, are all a result of sitting at the computer for 40 hours a week. If you want to make your staff truly glad to be there, make sure they are comfortable.
Think about the ergonomic desk height. Everything from kitchen counters to shelves is made for a population that isn’t growing, which we are. We’re all getting taller, and our legs are getting stuck under desks that aren’t high enough for us, with arms that hover just an inch or two over the desk comfortably, resulting in a hunch when we drop them.
Adjustable desks are becoming very affordable, which will mean that you can have an office where Big Joe can sit next to Janet, who’s legs swing in her seat. They’ll sit in comfort and with no long-lasting back problems.
There are also concepts like standing desks, which the right adjustable desk can convert into, and exercise balls for relieving back problems, but the most common upgrade is the ergonomic chair. It will go a long way to avoiding staff members that have to retire early due to ongoing back problems and are dreading the idea of sitting at their desks.
Give them some training
What your staff really want is the chance to advance. It’s easy to feel stuck in your job or see people around you are advancing and wonder why you aren’t – even if you’ve only been in the job a week. Plus, doing the same thing day after day can get boring. You want to keep your staff engaged in their work or they will eventually get tired of it and move onto something more stimulating.
Some training would be a good way to get them involved again. You can expand their skillset which can be put to work in your company, and your staff will feel validated and appreciated.
As a plus, your staff will be newly qualified for that promotion that needs someone to enter. You will give purpose to your staff as well as making sure for yourself that the person up for the position can do the job.
