Isn’t paying them enough?

donkey chasing a carrot

When it comes to motivating your workforce, it’s not all about the carrot and the stick mentality. In order for your employees to be engaged with your company, it has to be about more than the money. OK, so nobody goes to work for free. Firstly, there’s the NMW to think about; secondly, there are the bills that need paying!

So, what else can you do?

Here are a few suggestions…

• Create the right working environment – be it by having fresh flowers in the office or having a ping-pong table
• Get your employees involved – let them have their say in how things are done and encourage them to be creative where possible
• Delegate effectively – loosen the reins and trust your employees to do a good job
• Flexible working – allow employees to change their working hours or work from home, if necessary
• Treat everybody fairly – where deserved; motivation levels will drop if a slacker receives the same treatment as an outstanding performer
• Open-door policy – encourage communication, honesty and transparency
• Training – show that you want to invest in your employees
• Other benefits – introduce a healthcare scheme or use Perkbox for example

Employees spend more time at work than anywhere else. When employees are demotivated this can have a negative impact on the organisation by reducing levels of productivity or there may be an increase in sickness absences.

Benefits of employee motivation

• Reduced staff turnover
• Minimal absenteeism
• Good reputation as an employer
• Increase in profits
• Happy working environment