How to Boost Morale Going into Fall

As the days get shorter, the weather gets cooler, and PTO is used up, many employees face an undeniable slump in attitudes and productivity. This lack of motivation could be due to seasonal depression, change in weather, post-vacation blues, or the onset of busy holiday and family-related activities. Whatever the reason, here’s how to spot and boost morale before it affects the productivity of the office.

What affects employee morale?

The changing weather is one of the biggest factors in the drop in morale during fall. Employees might stop engaging in their active summer activities, becoming more sedentary and drained as a result. Balancing a busy personal life also affects the decrease in employee morale. This type of stress can be intensified if a workplace isn’t supporting the social needs and professional goals of its employees. As the days get shorter, it may feel like there is less social time for your employees during the day; they arrive at work when it’s dark and they leave when it’s dark.

Office morale is also extremely impacted by company success and business. Is the fall an extremely busy time for your company? Perhaps it is a slow period after busy summer months. Whatever it is, all changes take an adjustment period.

Why do I need to pay attention to morale?

Okay–so people tend to be less motivated, more tired and stressed, or even more sedentary (and lazy) as winter nears. But does this really affect your business? The answer is a resounding yes. Employees with low morale can significantly underperform, impeding the goals of your entire organization. Another problem with employee morale is that it can spread like wildfire, creating a ripple effect of poor performance throughout your company.

Meditation can inspire people to set personal goals around their own stress relief and wellness standards, thereby inspiring greater mental and physical health at work. Supplementiung a subscription to a top meditation app can also be cost-effective.

How do you fix employee morale?

Employee morale can be a major challenge for employers of all industries. It’s elusive and hard to address directly as there are no definitive metrics for measuring it. Fortunately, these three tips will help you boost morale and prevent these setbacks as the seasons change.

Get Moving

An easy way to increase motivation is to host walking meetings for your employees. Instead of meeting in the same conference rooms, think about how you can host meetings on the go. From the change of scenery to the fresh air, walking meetings offer a host of benefits for creativity, productivity, and team building. Plus, these meetings show employees that you as an employer value their health and day-to-day well-being.

Find Your Zen

In our fast-paced world, it’s harder than ever to slow down. This is even harder to do during the back-to-school season and as the holidays are fast approaching. Meditation apps are a simple way for your entire team to tune out the noise and tap into concentration. Many people feel intimidated by the idea of meditation, especially if they haven’t engaged with it before, so these applications are a great way to ease into the practice. You might decide to host mini meditation challenges, where team members can keep track of one another’s progress on a weekly or monthly basis. This can inspire people to set personal goals around their own stress relief and wellness standards, thereby inspiring greater mental and physical health at work.

Foster Strong Bonds

From team hikes to company barbeques, there are many ways to foster strong interpersonal bonds between employees that boost morale. When people feel like they can be themselves at work, they’re more likely to show up with a positive attitude, ready to tackle the challenges ahead. Instead of just hosting happy hours, however, consider ways to promote meaningful connections and healthy habits. Ski trips, cooking classes, and bike-to-work days are all examples of how to help people connect, have fun, and build trust.