Guide for Business Owners: How to Increase Office Morale

Business owners have the important role of fostering good vibes around their offices, to help ensure employees feel cared for and motivated at their workplace. In recent years, mental health has been taking centre stage around the world and its also something that businesses recognise that they can contribute positively to too. Read our guide below from pull up banners retailer: Where The Trade Buys Print, to gather some ideas on how you can create a happier and healthier working environment for your staff members.

Investment in mental health works to boost productivity at the workplace

Society has opened up a great deal when it comes to talking about mental health issues across the country. Research has revealed that around 45% of Australians may experience a mental health illness at one point in their lives, which can have a huge influence on our lifestyle – both personally and professionally.

There are many areas that an encounter with mental health issues impact. Anxiety for example, impacts over two million Aussies each year. 4% of people will experience depression on the other hand, 5% of which will be women and 3% men.

In the workplace, 1 in 6.8 people experience mental health problems also. However, figures go on to say that women who are in full-time employment are twice as likely to have common mental health issues than their male counterparts. Studies have shown through a $1 investment into mental health, some Australian businesses have welcomed up to $15 in return. From this great ROI, you can ensure that productivity levels remain high and encourage fewer sick days across your organisation.

Positive posters or banners can be very encouraging for employees

Many mental health charities encourage both businesses and schools to invest in ‘positive posters’. Although these may be subjective to the chosen establishment, they’re mostly well-designed posters that promote words of encouragement to help people get through the day with a smile on their face. Any kind of banner would also work well too (https://wttbprint.com.au/products/banners).

This can range from simple text that reads ‘You’re doing great’ to ‘Your work matters and you are valued’. Humorous illustrations that are relatable to both your employees and your business are becoming more popular too – why not create your own mental health mascot? This is something that can definitely bring light to something which is often a brushed over.

Social events encourage staff members to form better relationships

Make your staff feel appreciated by arranging events that are either held during the working day or outside of work hours. Not only can this create new experiences for your team, but also allow them to form better relationships with their colleagues which will undoubtedly help productivity in your business.

This can range from taking your staff to participate in competitive events with other businesses in the area (such as sports days and football matches) to regular team meals, quiz nights or trips away. These incentives will definitely improve attitude in your workplace, while making people feel respected in their role – so what are you waiting for?

Company perks: could you offer a day off work for a mental health re-charge?

When someone is applying for a position at a company, one of the first things they will look at is the benefits that you offer. This can persuade someone to join a company or not, so if you’re looking to attract the top talent in your industry, you need to offer them something more than just a competitive salary.

For many businesses, this includes private dental and healthcare, a great pension scheme, regular corporate events, therapy sessions and of course a decent amount of holidays. If you’re not in a position to offer benefits directly from your own pocket, team up with businesses in the area and trade your services. As well as this, many employees like the thought of being able to take the day off work for a mental health re-charge and still get paid – is this something that you could offer?

Fun incentives: why not offer a prize for ‘employee of the month’

Just like company benefits, your employees will enjoy any internal incentives that you can offer. This could range from something as simple as Employee of the Month where the winner could receive a voucher for their favourite store or evening the option to allowing them to leave the office an hour early. This will encourage some healthy competition in the office!

Another idea could be writing an entire blog post about them and the great work they do for your company blog, which can then be posted across social media. Staff will definitely appreciate the recognition and share it with all of their friends. Many young companies are also introducing Friday beers and buffet to get the weekend started! There’s a lot to consider...

Clearly, there are a lot of ways that you could boost morale in your office. But the question is, how are you going to do it? Make sure to let us all know.

Sources:

https://mindframe.org.au/mental-health/data-statistics

https://premiumhealth.com.au/news-posts/beyond-happiness-true-cost-of-mental-health-on-business/

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/statistics/mental-health-statistics-mental-health-work

Lee Dover is a senior copywriter at Mediaworks with an interest in healthcare as well as researching into healthier ways of living. He has a BA (Hons) in Magazine Journalism.