Organizational Behavior Principles
Impaler_2019
mgm335-phase1_ip.pptxOrganizational Behavior Principles
MGM335-1402A-01
Phase 1 Individual Project
Sean C. Hall
Colorado Technical University
Dr. DM Arias
4/14/2014
Factors That Affect Employee Morale
Employee morale is a huge factor in determining productivity. There are many factors that can affect employee morale both positively or negatively, and it is important to be aware of them so that you can make sure your employees are happy and not scanning the local job sites for something better. Here is a list of factors known to have an impact.
Employees tend to have higher morale when working for a company that is known outside of its walls as a "good" place to be. Companies that donate to the community, treat their employees well and have high integrity fall into this category. It is tough to work for a company that creates a product that erodes the public's health, pollutes the environment or is being sued by former employees. It is important to be a good citizen of the community in which your business is established, and to conduct business with integrity.
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Morale Factors
A hostile work environment contributes to low employee morale. This type of environment can be prevented if members of management treat employees like human beings instead of machines..
Hostile Work Environment Feedback, or Lack of it
Not only does increasing the frequency and quality of feedback have an immediate significant impact on morale, but it also directly enhances work performance.
Work Load
Many companies today have to get by with fewer employees than before which means that a lot of employees have a bigger workload than they did in the past. And this can have a negative effect on employee morale, because employees can feel overwhelmed
As a manager, one way to deal with this issue is to talk with the employee about how their job can be done more efficiently. For example, perhaps there are some tasks that have little or no value that can be eliminated. Or maybe tasks that can't be eliminated can be done in a more efficient way in order to save time while the employee still does the task well. This is a wonderful opportunity for both you and the employee to think creatively.
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Employee Empowerment and Decision Making
Employee empowerment helps to cultivate innovation. Employees that have a stake in the companys growth and sustainability will offer more ideas and problem-solving solutions when obstacles arise. However, as the employee meets particular challenges or finds improvements in policies, procedures or products, it will foster growth and more critical and imaginative thinking. Employees may see a particular issue differently than a manager and be able to think of a creative solution, which may not be considered in a closed circle of managerial staff.
Employee involvement is a philosophy practiced by many companies that gives their employees stake in decisions that directly affect their jobs, while employee empowerment is a corporate structure that allows non-managerial employees to make autonomous decisions. Each one is a distinct practice and is usually mutually exclusive to one another, though the benefits can be similar.
The main benefits of employee involvement and empowerment are enhanced morale, more productivity, healthier coworker relationships and creative thinking.
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Recommendations for Positive Employee Morale
Participative Management and Empowerment
Increasing job satisfaction by encouraging participation
Team management represents a growing trend
Open the lines of communication
When employees feel they are being kept in the loop, they are more likely to trust that management has everyone’s best interests in mind. Management should encourage the sharing of ideas as a two-way street.
Express gratitude & reward employees
When employees feel appreciated, they are more likely to help others; therefore increasing teamwork. Rewarding a job well done will likely foster the desire to continue producing positive results.
As an organization, management holds the keys to increasing employee morale and ultimately boosting productivity. “Employees are more motivated when they feel needed, appreciated, and valued” according to Kevin Plank, founder of Under Armour. There are countless ways to positively motivate employees and simple ways organizations can improve employee morale:
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Motivation and Leadership in the Twenty-first Century
Motivation
Security and pay are no longer enough
Leadership
“Coach” mentality
Diversity
Flexibility
Managers should understand the needs and wants of the current and next generations, regarding motivation and performance in the organization. The chosen management style should be one that will successfully motivate the employees they manage and give surety to performing their duties in accordance with the organization’s objectives and financial goals. Leaders must understand that employees are one of the most valuable assets within the business; therefore, the administration understands how to effectively motivate them to gain maximum productivity in the workplace.
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Satisfied Employees Are More Productive and More Committed
Job Satisfaction:
Degree of enjoyment employees derive from doing their jobs
High Morale:
An overall positive employee attitude toward the workplace
Low Turnover:
A low percentage of employees leave each year
MORALE
TURNOVER
MORALE
TURNOVER
When companies experience negative growth, managers and leaders often forget to recognize and reward employees’ accomplishments. Even if monetary rewards were feasible, employees often react more favorably to intrinsic rewards such as compliments, encouragement, and praise. Therefore, business owners and managers should strive to take five minutes each week to thank his or her subordinates for their hard work and accomplishments. This provides employees with a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment while motivating employees to continue to work hard and excel.
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Employee Success
The success of any organization has become dependent upon the effectiveness of its management, coupled with the effectiveness of management styles utilized to motivate and enhance employee performance. Across organizations, corporate leaders are strategically placed in their designated positions to ensure that the business provides superior products or services for their targeted customer base.
The current workforce is comprised of a diverse age–generational span that characterizes four generations. To be effective, managers must recognize and respond to the multigenerational needs. Companies and their management staffs should also be acquainted with the motivational necessities that will allow them to satisfy the employees and enhance the work performance of each generation. Given these organizational dynamics, the most empowered managers will exceed the company’s expectations in being able to motivate employees, regardless of their generational group.
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References
Knippen, Jay T.; Getting Results...For the Hands-on Manager: Plant Edition; Jul97, Vol. 42 Issue 7, p8
Escalera, Karen Weiner: Nation's Business; Jun98, Vol. 86 Issue 6, p12
Dolliver, Mark: AHA News; 9/4/95, Vol. 31 Issue 36, p6
