10 Tactics To Boost Morale

One of the most important jobs of an owner or manager is to keep spirits up in the workplace. Although this isn’t always easy to do, there are some strategies you can use that will get the job done—without hurting your budget.

1. Sponsor a “Noon Movie.” Once a week or once a month (depending on employee schedules), set up a VCR in the lunchroom and show a funny movie during lunch. If time if limited, show reruns of Seinfeld, Frasier, or other situation comedies.

2. Set up a “Humor Corner.” Designate one section of the office as the place for humor, and encourage employees to post cartoons, jokes, or other funny material.

3. Get out of the office! Whenever possible, hold meetings outside the office—at the coffee shop down the street or at a local restaurant. If weather permits, don’t be afraid to hold meetings outside from time to time...and include a catered picnic.

4. Sponsor an “Interesting Pizza Day.” Once a month, treat employees to pizza (gourmet pizza shops now feature dozens of specialty toppings) and encourage people to try different kinds. Not only is it a free lunch, but it’s lots of fun.

5. Liven up your memos. Buy a book of one-liners, and include a joke at the bottom of your memos.

6. Run a “Guess the Baby” contest. Ask the staff to bring in baby photos and post them on the wall. Award a free lunch to the employee who can guess who’s who.

7. Have “Late Day Mondays.” If possible, once a month allow your employees to arrive an hour late on a Monday morning—or leave an hour early on a Friday.

8. Take pictures! Most businesses have an aspiring photographer. Ask that person to take candid shots of employees, and add them to the “Humor Corner.”

9. Play with the dress code. If your culture allows it, hold an “Ugly Tie,” “Ugly Shoes,” or “Ugly Sweater” day. Award prizes for the winners.