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5 Astonishing Ways an Employee Outing Can Boost Motivation
Are the motivation and morale slipping in your business? It might be time for an employee outing.
You know the signs: People start calling in sick more often or showing up late for work, there’s little initiative, tasks get done but not without a few mistakes. These are just some of the behaviors you’ll notice when employee morale is dropping.
There are plenty of reasons this happens. Sometimes people just get burnt out, or you hired someone who isn’t a good fit and they’re bringing everyone down with them. While getting to the root of the problem is important, you still need to bring everyone back together and create the energy of a successful team. Better yet, take care of these motivation problems before they start impacting your success. How? Plan an employee outing that will build camaraderie, help your team de-stress, and renew the appreciation of a job well done.
And in case time away from work just seems like a money waster, consider this. Author and former Senior Vice President of Human Resources in a Fortune 500 company Liz Ryan points out that, “When people are cut off from the social interaction and daily problem-solving that makes a job fun and rewarding, they’ll tune out and do the minimum.”
Not your problem? Consider, too, that 53% of Americans report being unhappy at work, and approximately 70% of employees are actively disengaged.
And if that still doesn’t seem like your issue, but a problem that employees need to deal with on their own time, think about this. Happy workers are 12% more productive, while unhappy workers are 10% less productive. That’s a 22% spread!
An employee outing isn’t the only way to fix the problem, but if you choose wisely (can we be done with the trust falls already?) you can get a big bang for your buck.
5 Ideas for an Employee Outing
that will have the whole team singing your praises
1. Make your team feel appreciated with a monthly team lunch
Take your team out for lunch once per month, or have a catered lunch at work. Schedule your lunch date for a regular day each month to give your team something to look forward to. It doesn’t have to be extravagant—everyone likes a free meal! But more than an opportunity for free food, this is a gesture of appreciation for the hard work everyone is doing.
2. Decrease turnover with volunteer days
Have a quarterly or monthly volunteer day. Ideally, partner with one organization that your team can build a relationship with. This gives your employees a chance to work on a new challenge that feels meaningful and may even give employees experience with expanding leadership skills. Volunteering is good for your business, too. According to America’s Charities, 64% of employees said that “volunteering with work colleagues strengthened their relationships.” And, of course, engaged employees are 87% less likely to resign (saving you some big money on employee turnover costs).
3. Open the doors to engagement by learning something
Go on an employee outing to your local bakery, brewery, farm, or chocolate factory. Where you go is less important than just getting out there and going somewhere. People need time away from work to spark creativity and open up the mind to new possibilities. How does this help you? Engaged employees can make a business up to 21% more profitable.
4. Improve employee performance and focus by taking a nature break
Multiple studies show that taking a “nature break” can provide cognitive benefits for employees, including an increased ability to perform better on a given task. In fact, the BBC notes the dramatic findings of one study; natural elements in the workplace (sunlight or plants, for instance) can make your team 6% more productive and 15% more creative.
So why not build that knowledge into your strategic plan? Schedule your next employee outing for somewhere green. Can you have monthly sales meetings in a botanical garden? Maybe that monthly team lunch is a picnic in a nearby park. Start a community garden with your team. Create a budget and take your employees to a local plant nursery and buy small plants for everyone’s desk.
5. Improve customer ratings by going to a show
According to officevibe, businesses with an engaged workforce have a 10% increase in positive customer reviews. And taking time away from work to take in a show is, like any field trip, a chance to revive creativity, get to know your coworkers, and expand your circle of experience. It doesn’t need to be a sold out Broadway show, either. Your local theatre may offer a daytime dress rehearsal showing, or the local symphony might present a lunchtime concert series. Maybe you go to a matinee performance of a Monster Truck show. Again, the point isn’t so much what you do as it is that you get out for an employee outing.
Remember, though, getting out of the workplace, even for a little bit, isn’t a one-time thing. The positive effects of a single employee outing will wear off. Plan regular events to keep the motivation up and watch as your turnover rate drops, your productivity climbs, and your customers love you.
With Pekin Insurance, you can focus on taking care of your employees while we take care of your business insurance needs. Get in touch with Mayfield Insurance today and find out more.
