Workplace morale refers to the overarching attitude, satisfaction, and outlook that employees have towards their work environment and job roles.
With direct impacts on employee engagement and company performance, it’s highly advantageous for business leaders to foster a company culture that recognises the importance of workplace morale.
Andrea Wong, Managing Director at Robert Half Singapore, believes that performance and profitability are directly linked to employee morale. She says, “High workplace morale can be spotted a mile away – employees are enthusiastic, confident, and productive. This creates the kind of culture that fosters innovation, retention, and collaboration – the kind of culture that drives organisations forward.”
“It’s hardly surprising that poor workplace morale is problematic. It’s common to see higher levels of absenteeism, as disengaged employees are more likely to take unplanned leave, which can disrupt workflow and decrease productivity. These organisations become plagued by low employee satisfaction, low productivity, and low retention. Their employees are less likely to feel happy and engaged at work and are less likely to deliver favourable business outcomes,” says Andrea.
Related: 6 ways to prevent a toxic workplace culture
Singapore is widely regarded as a dynamic and competitive hub for global business. With a strong emphasis on efficiency, productivity, and professionalism, Singapore’s bustling workforce is like no other.
While these characteristics have shaped Singapore’s global reputation, they should also shape how business leaders approach workplace morale.
If you’re trying to determine how to boost staff morale at work, take note of the below considerations for Singapore businesses.
Hierarchy - Singaporean workplaces tend to be somewhat more hierarchical than those in Western cultures. Morale-boosting initiatives should honour this, ensuring inclusivity and respect are prioritised. They should not make anyone feel uncomfortable due to perceived power imbalances.
"Kiasu" mindset - This prevalent cultural attitude is characterised by a fear of missing out, and an intense desire to succeed and avoid losing to others. While this mindset is a driving force for workplace diligence and determination, it can hamper the effectiveness of some morale-boosting initiatives if they are seen to undermine ambition. Therefore, it's important to highlight the power of morale in contributing to ambition rather than compromising it.
Long working hours – Singapore workplaces are renowned for their long work hours. In light of this, be mindful of after-hour social events (they may not be well-received). Focus on scheduling morale-boosting initiatives into the workday itself, and make any extra-curricular activities optional.
Diversity - Singapore is a multicultural melting pot. So, ensure that you consider a range of morale-boosting activities that cater to different interests and backgrounds. Be extra diligent in ensuring that activities are inclusive! You can rest assured that food is always a safe bet in Singapore.
Saving face culture – As a defining characteristic of Singapore culture, proper behaviour and the avoidance of conflict is critical. Given that diplomacy and professional reputations are sacred in Singapore, it’s important to avoid overly competitive activities that could lead to a team member feeling publicly embarrassed or, that they've 'lost'. Use activities as an opportunity to foster harmony, dignity, and positive relationships through team building and cooperative fun.
Andrea says an acute awareness of Singaporean cultural factors is the key to maximising staff morale. She says, “49% of Singaporean employers say staff morale has increased in the past 12 months*. This is quite promising - I believe these levels can increase further with a thoughtful and considered approach to enriching staff morale.”
Don’t underestimate the power of recognition (especially in Singapore’s highly competitive work environment).
Recognition of employee achievements, milestones, and positive contributions is an effective way to boost pride, productivity, and work ethic.
Employees who feel appreciated are more likely to stay engaged and motivated. Implementing recognition as a standard fixture in the workplace goes a long way in showing employees just how valued they are.
Regular recognition initiatives such as "Employee of the Month" awards, shout-outs during meetings, or company-wide email acknowledgements, are some ways to make your recognition efforts public, loud, and proud.
Consider what tangible rewards you could offer to reinforce positive behaviour. Things like bonuses, gift cards, or additional annual leave are valuable ways to reinforce that employees are doing an outstanding job!
Knowing how to boost staff morale at work is essential to creating a positive workplace. So too, is effective communication.
Establish a culture that welcomes transparency and open dialogue - an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas, concerns, and feedback. Introduce feedback avenues like surveys or suggestion boxes to collate information and show employees that their opinions are valued.
Seek to communicate regularly with staff to keep them abreast of company goals, protocol changes, and business developments. This goes a long way in keeping everyone aligned and informed (especially during times when morale may be dropping).
Instead of avoiding difficult conversations, face the issues head-on and use it as an opportunity to work together to resolve them.
Where possible, involve staff in business decision-making. One of the most effective ways to show people they matter is by considering their opinions!
With so much of our lives spent at work (almost a third to be exact), it’s imperative that we feel comfortable, confident, and content. If employees feel isolated or intimated, it’s hardly surprising that their morale would be hampered.
Social connections foster an enriching employee experience by strengthening employee engagement and overall well-being. Similarly, a positive workplace culture helps to boost morale and a collective sense of belonging.
Create a warm and welcoming workplace through social activities and team-building initiatives like:
Team lunches
Staff outings
Birthday celebrations
Charity and volunteering initiatives
Workplace retreats
Office game days
Cross-department projects and collaboration opportunities
Whatever you choose, always seek to create a workplace identity built on trust, respect, recognition, and collaboration. Trust us, it will go a long way in boosting morale by helping your employees to feel safe and supported.
Related: How to have fun at work while staying productive
Andrea cites a lack of progression opportunities as a risk to staff morale. She says, “Employers run the risk of losing their employees to other organisations if their careers become stagnant.”
If you’re considering how to boost staff morale at work, be sure to provide abundant professional development opportunities. Harness employee growth and development through training programs, courses, mentorship opportunities, and skill-building workshops.
In Singapore, where career advancement is valued, empower employees to expand their skills and pursue growth and development opportunities. Not only does this enhance job satisfaction and engagement, it can significantly boost morale and retention.
Andrea believes that supportive leadership and continuous learning are pivotal. “Strong leadership sets the tone for a growth-focused workplace culture. Managers who can check in regularly and provide constructive feedback will go a long way in helping employees to flourish. Equip employees with the tools to develop their career pathways and watch their collective morale skyrocket,” she says.
Healthy employees are much more likely to be happy ones.
When you are workshopping morale-boosting strategies, stop and consider if there is anything you can do to boost the physical and mental well-being of your staff.
Initiatives that prioritise physical and mental well-being will help to ensure that employees have the tools to thrive and work effectively.
Some examples include:
Subsidised gym memberships
Complimentary healthy snacks
Cycle-to-work schemes
Free health screenings
Team health challenges/competitions
Ergonomic work stations
Free counselling services
Stress management workshops
Be smart about your working model and consider where you can harness better flexibility and work-life balance.
"At Robert Half Singapore we do ‘Wellness Wednesday’ which ranges from jogging together around Marina Bay Sands or doing a HIIT challenge in the office. We like to change our wellness activities up to suit the abilities and requests of all our teams and to encourage participation,” adds Andrea.
By implementing policies that discourage overwork and encourage a healthy work-life balance, employees are better poised to feel happier, more satisfied, and less susceptible to burnout.
Want to know how to boost staff morale at work? Try to bring some balance into the workplace through:
Flexible work hours
Remote work arrangements
Condensed work weeks
Flexible personal days
Mandatory lunch breaks
Related: How building a culture of happiness can drive business performance
Do you encourage autonomy in your workplace? If not, you may be hampering motivation, engagement, and employee morale.
When organisations foster empowerment and autonomy, they instil a sense of trust and confidence in their employees, making them feel valued and capable.
Andrea believes that when employees are empowered to make decisions within their roles, they are more likely to take ownership of their tasks, leading to increased motivation and job satisfaction.
She says, “Workplace autonomy allows staff to work to their personal preferences. It might be as simple as the order in which they do things or how they solve problems. With a greater sense of ownership comes a greater capacity to solve problems creatively and innovatively while strengthening individual commitment and a dynamic team culture.”
Now that you’re across how to boost staff morale at work, it’s important to know how to measure and sustain it.
Andrea says, “Boosting morale is not a ‘one-time’ project – it demands ongoing efforts to sustain and improve it over time. This starts with applying the right tools and resources to measure workplace morale, as well as the efficacy of your initiatives.”
Utilise tools such as staff surveys, pulse checks, regular one-on-one meetings and feedback forms to help gauge overall employee sentiments, engagement, and satisfaction levels. Leverage indicators like turnover rates, absenteeism, and productivity metrics to gain additional insights into morale levels.
However you choose to measure and track morale trends, be sure to regularly review and redesign your policies based on feedback and insights. This will ensure that they meet the changing needs of employees to foster a stable and supportive work environment.
Andrea says a continuous feedback loop is essential for measuring and sustaining morale. She says, “A continuous feedback loop involves establishing regular, structured communication channels – it’s pivotal if you want to gather ongoing feedback about employee experiences.”
If you’re wondering how to establish a continuous feedback loop to track morale trends and identify areas for improvement, consider the below:
Leverage digital tools and platforms that facilitate anonymous feedback. This will help employees to feel comfortable sharing their honest opinions.
Facilitate regular one-on-one meetings and team discussions to supplement survey data with qualitative insights.
Critically analyse the collected data to identify trends and recurring issues.
Openly communicate findings with employees and collaboratively develop action plans to tackle concerns.
Regularly monitor the impact of implemented changes and sharpen strategies based on new feedback.
In Singapore, workplace productivity and professionalism reign supreme. However, it’s workplace morale that can make or break the competitive edge of a business. Knowing how to boost staff morale at work is integral to fostering an engaged, satisfied, and high-performing workforce. While this process demands a multifaceted approach, you can rest assured that the benefits are well worth the effort.
If you’re seeking advice on any workplace issues within your business, our experienced team of management specialists can help.
*The study is developed by Robert Half and was conducted online in November 2023 by an independent research company, surveying 500 workers in Singapore. This survey is part of the international workplace survey, a questionnaire about job trends, talent management and trends in the workplace.
How can I improve staff morale and motivation?
Recognition and appreciation
Open communication and transparency
Team building and social activities.
Employee development and growth opportunities
Well-being initiatives
Empowerment and autonomy
What are some fun ways to boost morale?
Team lunches
Staff outings
Birthday celebrations
Charity and volunteering initiatives
Workplace retreats
Office game days
Cross-department projects and collaboration opportunities
How do you motivate employees in Singapore?
To motivate employees in Singapore, be sure to honour the critical components of the Singapore work culture. These include:
Hierarchy
"Kiasu" Mindset
Long working hours
Diversity
Saving face culture
What are some low-cost ways to boost morale?
Employee recognition
Flexible work hours
Personalised messages of thanks
Growth opportunities
Team building activities
Transparent communication
A supportive work environment
What are the signs of low morale in the workplace?
Reduced productivity
Increased absenteeism
Increased turnover
Poor communication and teamwork
Negative sentiments
Lack of engagement
Stress and burnout among employees
