Strategic Human Resource Management

Low employee morale: causes, consequences and solutions

Introduction

Employees are considered a valuable asset and the driving force for the operations of businesses

Low employee morale is very costly to organizations

It contributes to deviation from an organization’s strategic goals achievement

Causes of low employee morale1. Communication problem2. The inaccessibility of managers and

leaders for help3. Failure of leaders to coach their

employees4. Poor leadership5. Lack of appreciation from managers6. Lack of career prospects

Communication problem

Fear of employees to freely speak their minds

Managers and leaders only accepting news pleasing to them

One way communication system Delayed communication

Poor leadership

Managers and leaders failing to play their coaching role

Managers and leaders failing to lead by examples

Open disregard of company policies by leaders

Managers’ individual misconduct

Inadequate career prospects Lack of opportunities for

development and career advancement

Stagnation of employees in one position for a long time

Favoritism Outside recruitment for positions

that are a chance for promotion

Lack of performance and reward management No recognition for individual effort No verbal appreciation from

management to employees No rewards for exemplary

achievements Unrewarded hard work No team building effort by

management

The cost of low employee morale Employee disengagement

Lack of motivation towards work Negative emotional attachment:▪ On colleagues▪ On work▪ On management▪ Unscheduled absenteeism

Changes in organizational culture

The cost of low employee morale High turnover rate

Employees looking for excuse to leave the organization

Excuses include:▪ Low pay▪ Poor working conditions▪ Poor management▪ Feeling unappreciated

The cost of low employee morale The cost of high turnover is very

dear It includes: ▪ the cost of hiring new workers▪ The cost of paying the old workers▪ The cost of training the new workers

High turnover further contributes to low employee morale hence creating circle

The cost of low employee morale Low productivity resulting from:

The feel of not being appreciated The feel of being devalued Work overload

Changes in organizational culture It negatively impacts organizational

culture This leads to poor customer service and

work quality

Recommended solution

Relationships that are build on trust Makes employees feel valued Avoids feelings of exploitation Trust is based on communication Trust needs to be a continuous effort

Recommended solutions

Respect employees Respect yields:▪ Alertness▪ Creativity▪ Innovation▪ Productivity

Employees need to work without fear of failing

Recommended solutions

Managers playing their role of coaching and nurturing employees by: Offering support when needed Respecting every idea suggested by

employees Developing employees’ ideas

Recommended solution

Building effective teams A collective way of building morale Clears out fear and builds trust Creates invulnerability in the work force Creates a sense of harmony within the

workforce Employee performance and reward

management