It can be a difficult task if you have a diverse workforce to make all your employees feel included as part of the team. Meeting each person’s individual needs can be a challenge. The important thing is to try to be fair and understanding as a manager and properly communicate with your staff to discover which areas they really have an issue with, and how to make improvements. Here are four simple ways you can start with to make each staff member feel more like a valued member of the team.
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Increase awareness of mental health
Although this has been improving in recent years many people still feel that their mental health is being overlooked at work. According to some studies, 1 in 6.8 workers has reported having mental health issues at work. This quite a high number so it deserves some attention. These people might feel particularly excluded and that their health problems are not being recognized as much as those with physical illnesses. Stress at work from a feeling of overwhelming pressure to succeed is often the cause as well. The best way to tackle this problem is by giving higher members of staff sufficient training in order to deal with mental health issues. There are specific courses designed for managers, so it might be worth investing in these.
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Working environment
Another way to boost employee morale is to look to the work space itself. Again it’s advisable to get feedback from your employees about what improvements they would like to see. Making sure you listen to them will help to improve their motivation. If some of your employees have issues with accessibility, due to disability or other factors it’s important to understand what is legally required of you as an employer. Ensure you are informed on ADA Defense Law, in order to be fully compliant with disability laws.
Think about other factors that might also affect your employees’ comfort, such as ergonomic desk furniture and lighting. Color psychology is also an interesting tool to help you brighten up the decor to create a more positive atmosphere.
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Schedules
Nowadays with advances in technology such as cloud computing, it’s becoming easier to work from home in many different fields. If you have the option, discuss a plan with your employees to allow them a certain amount of hours to work from home. Sometimes a change in scenery is enough to give them the motivation they need. Think about offering the option to personalize hours as well, and letting your employees help to plan a timetable that suits their needs.
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Team-building
This is a great way to get everyone involved and there are many fun options, so get creative. You could choose an environmental, or outdoor focus. This would benefit your employees’ physical well-being as well. Why not plan a work outing? Try paintballing or an escape room, something that gets them working together. Be as inclusive as possible and make sure it’s an activity everyone can do.