During the summer months, it’s normal for employee morale and productivity to take a dip. After a long winter, people’s thoughts naturally turn to beachside vacations and fun in the sun. But there are a few proactive steps you can take to keep your workers happy and engaged all summer long.
Offer Early Shifts
One of the best things about summer is how long the days are. Help your employees make the most of their time by offering early morning shifts that leave plenty of sunshine after work. Of course, not everyone is an early bird, so make sure later shifts are still available for those who like to sleep in.
Provide Monthly Half-Day Fridays
If your business operations allow it, consider shutting down at lunchtime one Friday per month. This gives everyone something to look forward to all month long. It can even boost productivity and avoid employee burnout, as team members understand that it takes an “all hands on deck” approach to get the work done on time.
Organize a League
One of the best ways to boost morale is through team building. Take advantage of the weather and organize an in-house sports league. Poll your employees to find out whether they prefer kickball, softball, volleyball, or something else, and then start scheduling practices and games.
Host a Picnic or Barbecue
Summer is synonymous with outdoor eating, from picnics in the park to backyard barbecues. Show your employees you care by hosting one or two events this summer. You can ask people to bring potluck side dishes or have the whole thing catered, but make sure you take responsibility for the main course. And of course, you should also come with a few fun activities to do before or after the meal.
Start an Incentive Program or Learning Opportunities
Everyone likes to be recognized for a job well done, and an incentive, appreciation or recognition program can be a strong employee morale booster. Programs like Employee of the Month can boost motivation. Or even better, come up with a way for both team members and supervisors to reward each other in the moment. For example, you might make small recognition cards that anyone can give to anyone else. Employees can then redeem those cards as entries into a drawing for a gift card or other reward.
Also, due to normal seasonality, time off or vacations, business tends to slow down a bit when school is out and during the summer months. This is an excellent time to develop and host training and learning programs. This gives employees the opportunity to broaden and learn new skills and helps make slower times more exciting.
Employee morale tends to dip during the warmer months. But with these simple tips, you can keep everyone motivated all summer long.
Ready to hire?
Trying to scale up your team? Turn to SURESTAFF today!
