Is Morale Sagging in Your Workplace?

I read an interesting article in HR Magazine https://bit.ly/2mh0W87 this morning on ways to improve Employee Morale without 'breaking the bank.' Here's an overview of the 7 cited in the article:

1. Give Employees a Voice. While I thought this was going to be about giving employees a voice into suggestions for improvements or to raise and listen to issues facing employees (all very important by the way), this pertained more to giving employees a voice in how best to give back to their communities. It allows them to plan and participate in events that give back - all while fostering teamwork.
2. Encourage Friendly Competition. While many companies hold quarterly or bi-annual or annual off-sites where they discuss work and then have orchestrated 'team building events', it doesn't have to be so rigid and planned. In the examples in the article, they suggested tugs of war in the parking lot, game nights or bringing in guest speakers (although I didn't find this last one much of a competition). At one of my clients recently, we played soccer-baseball (fun!) and then had multiple competitions (running with eggs across a finish line, a scavenger hunt, passing cups of water down the line off the top of your head to the person behind you without looking or spilling any). It definitely was a lot of fun and fostered team...especially with co-workers with whom you might not often interact in the office.
3. Promote Healthy Living. In this day and age with obesity and poor eating habits so prevalent, this is a a great way to promote a healthy lifestyle. Replace granola bars and sugary snacks with nuts, fruits and yogurts. Replace pop and other sugary drinks with a water cooler (not single use plastic bottles!). At a client of mine, one of their upcoming 'lunch 'n learns' is with a nutritionist who will speak about ways in which you can eat healthier while working full-time (and long hours). The article spoke about "Fruit Fridays" with fruit available in the office. At one of my clients, there is cut-up fruit (kiwi, watermelon, cantalope, etc.) twice a week (thank you Nina!) as well as grapes and bananas and nuts and yogurts on a regular basis. Now to just help the employees with their lunch and dinner habits!
4. Get Employees Moving. There were some easy and pain-free ways to get employees moving in this article including a slow 'race' around the parking lot (they must NOT be located in downtown Toronto!), a summer challenge to count steps, etc. Might be a good idea to organize walking lunches or, if you have the space, bring in a yoga instructor over the lunch hour. The article talked about doling out Dixie cups for water. This was about the only thing I disagreed with. Skip the single use cups and fill up your water bottles! One of my clients gave away Yeti and Swell branded water bottles to all employees at a recent event. Great idea!
5. Communicate Clear Goals. Not sure I 100% agree with the article's example of purchasing TV sets and displaying the company's goals on them. But, if it worked for their client, great! I suggest it starts with the company clearly identifying its goals and then cascading them down to the department and the individual teams and employees. Having regular one-on-one or team meetings to reinforce those goals is key to successfully achieving them.
6. Help the Community. Here there are so many initiatives. Many companies organize a Habitat for Humanity Day to build homes. Done, done and done. How about thinking outside the box? How about asking employees where they spend their time and choosing a charity/event near and dear to employees. At a client recently the team all rode on the Weekend Ride to Conquer Cancer -- cycling 200 kms over a weekend. It doesn't have to be that extreme.....but getting employees involved in choosing the event and then promoting it is an excellent way to get all involved.
7. Say Thank You. Years ago there was a promotions company that one of my larger clients ordered from on a regular basis. Desk awards, plaques, all sorts of gifts. I think this has fallen out of favour but the thank yous don't have to. Gift cards are great (and don't have to be for a lot of money). Simple thank you cards work. Sticky notes, etc. One of the examples in the article was for donuts ('We DONUT know what we would do without great employees like you!' Guess they didn't read Point #3 above -- Promote Healthy Living!

What does your company do to boost morale or keep it at a high level?