Keeping Your Workforce Motivated And Positive During Tough Economic Times

Submitted By: Sherri Suleski, Director, Program Solutions, Paliani Consulting

Trying to keep workers motivated and positive in tough economic times can feel rough and is an issue affecting huge numbers of organizations during the current recession. The threat of layoffs or watching their colleagues lose their jobs is causing employees’ levels of fear to skyrocket and performance to plummet. Low morale and high anxiety among conscientious workers is exacerbated by increases in absenteeism.

Much of the stress that employees experience at these times comes from fear of the unknown. The rumor mill goes into overdrive and when people are unsure of the truth, speculation can generate the worst possible scenarios. Employers recognizing and acknowledging that these fears exist is the first step to alleviating them. Honest and timely communication is critical, regardless of how much is happening. When bosses go silent, the tendency is for their workforce to think the worst.

Each staff member worries whether his or her particular contribution to the company’s efforts is going to be required in the future, and managers can do much to provide some reassurance. While they may not be able to guarantee the long-term security of any job, by stressing the positive qualities of their staff and the value that they provide the organization, managers can reduce fears and build motivation. Celebrating individual and organizational successes during difficult times does a great deal to promote optimism and provide a level of comfort, even if only to show that the company is focused on a successful and profitable future.

Much of the advice that I offer to job seekers centers around developing an ‘ownership’ mentality, and indeed the greater sense of engagement and participation that workers exhibit are shown to benefit both individuals and companies alike. Deliberate efforts by employers to foster this type of mentality during tough times, however, can pay greater dividends when they are faced with an unsettled and fearful workforce. Eliciting ideas for improvements or ways to tackle the lean times not only makes the staff themselves feel more involved, and so more secure, but their creative input contributes by offering new ideas and perspectives.

Of course any workforce who sees layoffs is going to be fearful, but employers can help to provide reassurance by assisting those being laid off, rather than abandoning them in a fiercely competitive job market. While employee counseling might be ideal, it may not be affordable, but there are free and low-cost resources for job seekers which employers can promote to their staff in order to help them on their way. The Philadelphia Job Hunters Education and Networking Event, which is being held November 10th, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Philadelphia Convention Center, is a perfect example. The event costs nothing to attend and job seekers can register simply by visiting www.phillyjobsnow.com.

At the end of the day, both employers and workers have the potential to be hit when times get tough. By working together, however, all have a much greater chance of riding the storm.