The latest ADP Canada Sentiment Survey reveals that a large majority of working Canadians—83 per cent—believe that if their employer made an effort to raise spirits at work, their own satisfaction level would significantly improve.

“Winter can be a difficult time of year for Canadians, which can create a sluggish environment at work if it isn’t managed carefully,” said Sooky Lee, general manager, human resources business process outsourcing at ADP Canada. “While the weather may be cold, dark and depressing outside, even modest efforts by employers can brighten the mood on the inside.”

Highlights of the ADP Canada Sentiment Survey:

Workplace Morale and Employee Satisfaction

• More than eight out of 10 (83 per cent) of working Canadians say that if their employer made an effort to raise spirits, it would significantly improve their own satisfaction at work.
• More than one third (35 per cent) say their employer doesn’t do anything to improve morale.
• One in three (31 per cent) say there are some initiatives at their workplace to improve morale, but more could be done.
• One quarter (24 per cent) say their employer offers a number of things to improve morale in the workplace.

Why Employee Satisfaction Matters 
“Satisfaction and wellness are closely linked, so investments in morale, such as special events at work, contests or team outings can reduce stress and help people feel connected to their colleagues,” Lee explains. “The good news is that organizations don’t need to reinvent the wheel to improve employee satisfaction. The first step is setting up a framework that will be flexible so you can adapt it as the company grows.”

Morale-boosting Ideas for Employers

Have fun: Have a themed day, such as wearing pajamas to work or having a silly hat contest. A little friendly competition can bring out creative ideas and build teams.

Get outside: Even a few minutes of fresh air has been shown to reduce stress and lower blood pressure. Organize a group walk at lunch or get your snow pants on and take everyone skating or tobogganing for half an hour.

Bring some wellness inside: If it’s too blustery to head outdoors, hire a yoga instructor to lead a gentle rejuvenating class, or bring in some massage therapists to help your employees relax.

Get everyone involved: Whether you have a formal social committee or not, it’s important to let everyone have some input into how your organization boosts morale.

Get formal: You can also look to more formal methods, such as employee discount programs, paid time to volunteer or community giving activities.

“There is some confusion between employee satisfaction and employee engagement,” stated Lee.  “Engagement is a different metric that is related to retention and productivity, whereas satisfaction focuses on how people feel when they are at work each day.”

For more information, check out the ADP Employee Satisfaction vs. Employee Engagement white paper.

“A key step towards investing in morale is to free up HR teams so they can give formal and informal efforts the attention needed as part of your year-round wellness strategy,” said Lee.

ADP Canada gives organizations of every size the tools to help their people thrive. From basic payroll to complex people management systems and analytics, we help business leaders make better decisions. Visit us at adp.ca or follow us on Twitter @ADP_CDA.