Managing a group of employees during good economic times can have its ups and downs. But what about supervising a group of workers during layoffs, downsizing, and furloughs? The negative effect of the recession on worker morale and productivity can be overwhelming. The following toolbox can help managers stay positive and keep employees motivated.
Communicate Honestly and Frequently With Employees
Keep employees notified of global economic impacts for the organization. Set regular meetings with employees to answer questions and keep everyone informed.
Dena Uding of the California Department of Water Resources says open communication is key. When potentially bad news is about to break, Dena says sharing the known and unknown facts with staff first helps keep rumors from spreading. Being honest with employees also means not being afraid to say the answer is not yet known.
Recognize Signs of Employee Stress
Good managers regularly look for signs of stress in employees. First-level supervisors have the best read on whether an employee is undergoing stress and make sure to communicate each day about non-work topics, to assess employee stress level. Look for these early warning signs of stress at work, published by the Mental Health Care Consumer Connection:
- Headache
- Sleep Disturbances
- Difficulty in Concentrating
- Short Temper
- Upset Stomach
- Job Dissatisfaction
- Low Morale
Plan Work Tasks Ahead to Reduce Employee Stress
Employees who have had a pay cut or who are nervously awaiting bad news about the economy will already be under more stress than usual. Employees who are working on a furlough schedule will not have as many days to complete tasks. Productivity and morale can suffer. As a supervisor, help by planning work tasks ahead and sharing long-term milestones and weekly due dates with employees.
Distribute Workload Effectively Among Staff
Managers distribute workload on a daily basis, and delegating tasks becomes routine. Some employees have more difficulty multitasking under stress than others. Have employees develop and suggest strategies for tackling large tasks. Encourage overwhelmed employees to break large projects into smaller, more manageable tasks, or share responsibilities with other co-workers.
Dealing With Low Worker Morale During Tough Economic Times
Managing employees during difficult economic times is very challenging. Recognizing stress in employees can be more of an art than a science. Feeling out of control about the economy leaves workers with low morale and productivity can suffer. Communicate honestly and frequently, learn to recognize the signs of stress, and plan and distribute workload in advance of major deadlines. Remind employees to use assistance programs to access free financial and emotional counseling.
Additional Resources
Stress at Work: How to Reduce and Manage Job and Workplace Stress
Jule Rizzardo - Jule Rizzardo is a freelance writer, specializing in small business advertising and management skill development.
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