On Top of Real Recognition: Top 10 Ways to Help Employees Deal with Economic Crisis November 12, 2008
By Roy Saunderson
With an economy screeching to a dire halt, it’s more important than ever for managers to ensure that their employees stay motivated and focused on the task at hand—or else your team’s productivity may be the next thing to come crashing down. Here are the top 10 ways you can keep your staff inspired from Roy Saunderson, president of the Recognition Management Institute:
1. Shortening the work week to four days with extended work hours will increase productivity and give a welcome break for people.
2. Consider giving turkeys to employees for Thanksgiving and accompany the gift with a card acknowledging the difficult economic times and expressing appreciation for what everyone is doing. The explanatory card should minimize the expectation for this being done each year.
3. Facilitate a car pool central for posting and coordinating rides or encourage employees to check with neighbors. You could even give a gas card for those who stick with this for a specified time period.
4. Hold regular one-on-one meetings with employees to learn of their financial situation and their stress levels. Train your managers to pick up on needs and behaviors to offer individuals planning advice. Bring in stress and financial experts for company-wide seminars addressing issues or smaller group/individual planning workshops.
5. With 401Ks down and the Dow uncertainty, employees are reluctant to spend money on Saturday night fun. Giving employees movie passes or restaurant certificates for excellent work will have greater meaning during these hard times.
6. Boost morale by having senior leaders conduct regular communication meetings with all employees to share what is going on with the company and to solicit ideas on how to help each other deal with economic uncertainties.
7. Bring in childcare services or set up a day care opportunity close to the office to lessen child care travel time and expenses for employees. If the daycare is not too far away, arrange a group rate fee structure, or maybe have a shuttle transport parents and kids to and from work.
8. Make exercise programs and gym equipment available so they can stay trim and fit without paying monthly membership fees.
9. Work with your downtown business association to see what after-hours shopping discounts can be arranged to assist employees with saving money. It will be a win-win outcome for the retail businesses hit by the downturn.
10. With the start of the holiday season upon us, take some time now to write an individual thank-you card to each employee expressing sincere gratitude and appreciation for sticking with the company and thank them for their contributions.
Editor's Note: Was your job another casualty of the current economic crisis? Read "The Laid-Off Low Down" at Incentivemag.com for seven secrets to survive (and stay motivated after) a job loss.
INCENTIVE online columnist Roy Saunderson, author of Giving the Real Recognition Way is President of Recognition Management Institute (www.realrecognition.com), which consults with companies on improving employee motivation leading to increased productivity and profits. He can be reached at RoySaunderson@realrecognition.com.
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