Feeling down in the dumps this January? More than 45% of employees say that winter has a negative effect on their motivation. That’s why it’s crucial to fight off the blues and keep your staff on top of their game. Don’t worry. There are plenty of ways to shake off the office blues in 2018. Read on for five ways to motivate your team this winter.
Why do we feel down in January?
‘Blue Monday’ in January is renowned as the worst day of the year. It’s the third Monday of the new year a day when the weather, failed resolutions and lack of money gets to all of us. This sluggish feeling strikes a chord with how most employees feel post-Christmas. And it can easily have an impact on productivity.
But while the idea of Blue Monday might only just be catching on, the workers’ winter slump isn’t a new phenomenon. What is new, however, is that we’re starting to find ways to deal with it¦
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Workplacewell-being
One way to keep employees motivated is to invest in their wellbeing. Consider your employees’ physical and mental health as importantly as your own:
- Provide healthy food in the office
- Allow staff to take short breaks when needed
- Encourage employees to move about on their breaks, by taking short walks or trying some stretches
Hopefully, this will encourage employees to stay healthy and could even help them keep their New Years’ resolutions in 2018.
You should also discourage presenteeism. This is when people continue to work despite being unwell. When employees are sick they are less likely to perform to the best of their abilities, and could cause illness to spread around the office.
Another way to keep employees happy is to ensure your workplace is a comfortable environment. 96% of employees consider a good heating system a key factor to being happy at work. This and exposure to natural light are important things to consider when returning to the office this January.
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Incentives
To keep everyone joyful at work this year, why not offer incentives? This keeps employees motivated and encourages healthy competition between colleagues. Offering small prizes, or even bonuses, can make people step up their game and will ultimately help optimise your business.
You can achieve a similar effect by setting targets for your team. If people have goals to accomplish, with incentives pushing them forward, they will have a better understanding of their purpose in the company.
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Recognition
One of the most important ways to tackle January blues is to recognise the work and achievement of each employee. In businesses both big and small, it’s easy to get lost in a sea of talented people. But by recognising and rewarding the hard work of employees you can help keep morale high.
Be sure to include people from all areas of the business not just the top players. It will ensure each team member feels valued and appreciated in the company, making them more likely to keep achieving top results.
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Create a team
With everyone so down in the dumps in the new year, it’s easy to forget that you’re all working together. It’s up to you as a manager or owner to build up some enthusiasm and make everyone feel like a team player. An ideal way to do this is through after work social events or team building activities.
Alternatively, why not raise money for charity by participating in sports events as a company? This is a great way to mix things up and introduce a common goal for your staff. As a result, you’ll probably see a more cohesive work body and a happier office space.
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Improve work-life balance
A healthy work-life balance is another way to keep up morale among your employees. Things like flexible working hours and relaxed remote working conditions can help staff create a better balance between work and their home life. It will ensure that staff feel less stressed and more content at work.
Regular breaks are another way to keep motivation high. As well as creating a healthier workplace, breaks encourage people to mingle with their colleagues. In the long run, this could create stronger working relationships which even venture outside the office. Win-win.
Keeping your business happy
It’s hard to get back into the swing of things in January. And you don’t need the stresses of financial planning to make things worse. UWM Accountants is a team of cloud accounting experts, with over 30 years’ experience. Our range of accounting services and business planning services can give your company the boost it needs this January. Get in touch today to find out how we can help you in 2018.
