How to keep your employees happy during uncertain times

We live in uncertain times. With inflation rising, wars in Europe, and pandemics that seem to come and go in waves, many are experiencing high levels of stress, whether at home or work. As a Utah-based business, do you focus on the health and wellness of your employees? Your employees’ health and wellness are especially important during times like these. But what is a manager to do? Even though Utah is ranked as one of the happiest states in the nation, this doesn’t mean your employees are not affected by everything going on around them in the world.

Have you ever seen your employees express their anger, sadness, or irritation at work? It’s important to understand that this does not make them troublemakers, it just means times are tough and they are trying to get through them. The thing is staff that is stressed may not deliver their best work results, which can negatively impact the morale of the rest of your team. That’s why it’s your job as their leader to motivate and help them overcome stressful times. Let’s look at how you can do that.

1. Be an Active Listener

To make sure your employees feel heard, you must make sure you listen to them and actively do so. Let your staff know that you are reaching out and that they can feel comfortable sharing their problems and concerns with you. Employees suffer for different reasons, whether it be a personal matter or conflicts with colleagues at work. It is your job to be prepared to help them through both the good and the bad. This will allow you to enrich the understanding between you and your employees. When you communicate and actively listen, you help your employees relieve stress, which is exactly what they need in times like these.

2. Appreciate Individuality

One thing bad managers do well fails to understand that everyone is different. Everyone in your company contributes something different and has different motivations. When an employee feels upset it is important to realize that every situation is different. Be liberal with your time and allow your staff to engage with you. But make sure you individualize your approach to each of your employees. Here at First Utah Bank, we understand that our business banking clients have a diverse array of employees, and it is important we all recognize that.

3. Contribute to an Uplifting Work Culture

An employee’s happiness depends a lot on his or her environment. There are various methods employers and managers can use to boost motivation and among the biggest is to improve their work environment. Create a culture where your employees feel comfortable having fun. Establish games and routines that motivate and inspire your employees. You can either encourage them to work in teams or choose tasks that tap into their strengths. The fact is this: a positive and interactive work culture will remove the stress, keep your employees motivated, and contribute to a fun and energetic work environment.

4. Delegate Tasks to Provide a Sense of Responsibility

Allowing your staff to handle tasks not only helps clear your schedule but also gives them a sense of purpose. It also allows them to learn new skills and tackle new aspects of the job. Your people will feel more motivated if you can engage them with new experiences and learning opportunities. It’s important, however, that delegation doesn’t mean you throw a task at them and call it a day. Ensure you provide them with what they need to complete the tasks you delegate to them. Delegation is a win-win because it helps your employees grow, helps you relieve pressure and provides them with an opportunity to show their skills and advance their careers.

5. Encourage Vacation Time

The idea that we work a 9-to-5 for the entire year with only a couple of weeks off is a fading concept. Even more old-fashioned is the idea that you shouldn’t take time off or that you should simply just bank your vacation. Encourage them to go on a vacation and take some downtime. Some employees might say that getting time off can make them procrastinate and disturb their working pace. Explain to them that having a break is essential as it’ll help them to be motivated and recharged. They can also feel inspired after going on a vacation to a new place, which can boost creativity at work.

Here at First Utah Bank, we understand these are tough times. Yet, as your Utah community bank, our goal is to not only provide you with quality and reliable business banking services but to help your business become better. Focus on your employees, ensure their happiness and motivation — and better is exactly what your company will become!