How can you motivate and keep environmental services staff in high-stress environments?

1 Acknowledge and appreciate

One of the simplest and most effective ways to motivate and keep environmental services staff is to acknowledge and appreciate their work. This can be done through verbal praise, thank-you notes, recognition awards, or small incentives. Showing your gratitude and respect for their contributions can boost their morale, self-esteem, and loyalty. It can also help them feel valued and part of the healthcare team.

2 Provide feedback and coaching

Another way to motivate and keep environmental services staff is to provide feedback and coaching on their performance. Feedback should be timely, specific, constructive, and balanced. It should highlight their strengths and areas for improvement, as well as offer guidance and support. Coaching should be ongoing, individualized, and goal-oriented. It should help them develop their skills, knowledge, and confidence. Feedback and coaching can help them improve their quality of work, enhance their professional growth, and increase their satisfaction.

3 Encourage communication and collaboration

A third way to motivate and keep environmental services staff is to encourage communication and collaboration among them and with other departments. Communication should be clear, frequent, and respectful. It should inform them of the expectations, policies, procedures, and changes that affect their work. It should also allow them to voice their concerns, opinions, and suggestions. Collaboration should be fostered through teamwork, cross-training, and joint projects. It should enable them to share their best practices, learn from each other, and solve problems together. Communication and collaboration can help them build trust, rapport, and camaraderie.

4 Promote health and wellness

A fourth way to motivate and keep environmental services staff is to promote health and wellness among them. Health and wellness should be addressed through physical, mental, and emotional aspects. Physical health can be supported by providing adequate personal protective equipment, ergonomic tools, breaks, and hydration. Mental health can be supported by offering stress management, counseling, and mindfulness programs. Emotional health can be supported by creating a positive, supportive, and respectful work environment. Health and wellness can help them cope with the challenges and stressors of their work, prevent burnout, and improve their well-being.

5 Offer opportunities and incentives

A fifth way to motivate and keep environmental services staff is to offer opportunities and incentives for their career advancement and development. Opportunities can include training, education, certification, mentorship, or leadership programs. Incentives can include pay raises, bonuses, promotions, or recognition. Offering opportunities and incentives can help them expand their horizons, achieve their potential, and reward their efforts.