Lack of motivation in the workplace is a problem that affects countless companies. The lack of goals, career plans, incentives, or challenges in day-to-day work can end up undermining the effectiveness and performance of the workforce and, as a result, the competitiveness of the company declines. Here are some of the strategies that top companies have implemented to improve employee motivation.
Teleworking or working without set hours
There is a growing trend among companies, especially technology companies, to offer the possibility of teleworking one or two days a week. These initiatives aim to relax the usual rigid rules and promote employee autonomy in pursuit of self-management and responsibility for their area of work. Opinions are divided on this issue, as not everyone sees this alternative as a solution to the problem of lack of motivation.
Back in 2008,
Iberdrola tried introducing a reduced working day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for its 9,000 employees. Six years later, the director of human resources who had been in charge of the decision spoke of an increase in productivity, a 20% reduction in absenteeism, and a 15% reduction in workplace accidents. In short, this experiment had made employees happier and more motivated. The idea is to concentrate working hours as much as possible and avoid endless breakfasts, checking social media during working hours, wasting time unnecessarily, and focusing on what is important, as all the work has to be done in seven hours. You can read the full article at this link.
Rewarding performance achievements
Another factor that contributes to a lack of motivation is not receiving recognition from senior management when job performance has been excellent. To this we could add the lack of a career plan or the possibility of internal promotion. Some human resources departments are beginning to consider recognition or gamification strategies, through which objectives are defined for the workforce. Having clear objectives to meet can undoubtedly help us perform our tasks better, especially if we know that we are eligible for a reward (a trip, cash, a gift, or fresh fruit in the office, for example).
Toxic environments
When a high-performance team is formed, there is usually good harmony, which maintains a high level of excellence at work. Everyone is completely focused on their tasks and aligned in achieving common goals. There is no lack of motivation, because if one person fails, the others’ performance suffers. However, toxic teams do not function well. There is anger, resentment, and bad attitudes that end up undermining the work environment and leading to poor results. This is often the result of poor, overly controlling leadership that mistrusts its team and discriminates between team members. All of these attitudes can be remedied with reconciliation strategies, team building, coaching for managers or employees, or a clear internal communication policy.
Lack of talent retention policies
Fortunately, more and more companies are developing specific policies to support and retain talent. Many of their actions are aimed at balancing the heavy workload with an open, approachable, and inspiring company philosophy. And, of course, one of their main objectives is to have
highly motivated employees.
To achieve this, they generate, among other things:
- Clear communication with the workforce
- A social benefits policy, such as health insurance.
- Work-life balance and flexible working hours
- An approachable attitude that allows employee problems to be solved
- Continuous training and industry events
- Ongoing performance evaluation
- Free fresh fruit in the office every day
Fresh fruit, the tip of the iceberg
It may seem like a passing fad, but offering fresh fruit to employees is undoubtedly one of the most visible strategies in companies that truly care about their staff. This is just the tip of the iceberg, because there is usually a much deeper approach to genuine employee care behind it. As professionals in fruit solutions for offices and workplaces, we are proud to be able to do our bit in this new business world.
More and more companies are beginning to take the benefits of fruit in the workplace
seriously. You may be wondering, what does fruit have to do with work? It’s a very reasonable question, and as
fruit experts, we’ve set out to answer all your questions. What’s more, if you read to the end, we’ll suggest a fresh diet for Mondays to make the week a little easier. Shall we begin?
3 reasons why you’ll love fruit in your office
It’s pretty. You may think this is an absurd reason, but it’s been proven that surrounding yourself with beautiful things inspires you and projects healthy energy around you. We know from our years of experience in business that the benefits of fruit in the office start with having a dedicated space for it. An aesthetically pleasing corner where you can take refuge when things get tough ;) Fruit is beautiful, puts you in a good mood, and creates spaces for relaxation and conversation.
It
brings the team together. “Who ate the last apple? I asked for it…” You’ll have the opportunity to share a moment of laughter and confidences with your colleagues. It can be a
meeting point to review the week. You’ll have an excuse to get up, breathe, stretch your legs, and chat for a few minutes with whoever is near the fruit box.
It’s healthy. Although it seems obvious, it is undoubtedly one of the main reasons for the benefits of having fruit in the office. We’ve all been in the office mid-morning and felt our stomachs rumbling. To stave off hunger until lunchtime, we head to the nearest vending machine and buy any salty snack or industrial pastry. Having fruit in the office means that you don’t have to stop because you’re hungry when you’re very busy (which is important) and you can eat something quick, healthy, and delicious.
A fresh diet for a stressful Monday
Okay, let’s get to the important stuff. Now that we’ve covered the benefits of having fruit in the office, here are a few tips on how to choose the most refreshing varieties that will give you the most energy on any stressful Monday full of emails.
Energizing and refreshing fruits
If you need an extra boost of quick energy and freshness, we suggest you mix these fruits throughout your workday:
Orange first thing in the morning: We recommend eating it first thing in the morning, as it is a fruit that could make it difficult to sleep in the afternoon or evening due to the large amount of solar energy it absorbs. If you haven’t had time for a proper breakfast, you can slice it and add cinnamon and ginger powder, with a little honey. As well as being a delicious combination, it will give you the energy you need to get through all your morning tasks.
Apple after lunch: You know the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Apples are rich in pectin, a type of fiber that is very beneficial for the intestines and helps eliminate toxins accumulated from weekend excesses. It contains a compound of unique organic acids that promote the renewal of intestinal flora and act as a natural toothpaste. In short, have one after lunch when you return to your desk and your stomach and mouth will feel like new.
Banana: Super easy to eat, the banana is the king of potassium as it provides a huge amount of this mineral, which is essential for keeping you hydrated and giving your muscles strength. It is an important mineral for most vital functions and is responsible for keeping the body energized. In fact, people with potassium deficiency are often tired. Eat one in the afternoon when your energy is flagging, and you’ll be unstoppable until quitting time.