Are your employees lacking enthusiasm? These tips can help

Energetic people make great employees. Your employees are more likely to be productive when they’re passionate and motivated. They also have a greater chance of being creative and engaged at work.

A Gallup survey found a strong correlation between employee engagement and company performance. More engaged workers contributed to a 23% increase in profitability¹. Those who lack enthusiasm can lower productivity and morale, reducing company performance.

In this article, we'll explore practical tips and strategies for reigniting enthusiasm among your employees. We’ll also show you how to create a positive and thriving work environment.

In this blog post, you’ll learn:

• Practical tips for boosting employee enthusiasm and engagement.
• Effective methods to acknowledge and reward employee achievements.
• How to support your staff’s work-life balance and health with various benefits and perks.

1. Provide a clear vision and purpose

If you want your employees to be engaged, they must understand how their work can help the company achieve its goals. Communicate your company values, purpose, and vision. Show your workers how their individual roles are essential for achieving that vision.

When team members see value in their work and how it aligns with the company’s goals, it can boost employee enthusiasm and motivation. Clearly communicating your values can help your organization attract employees who believe in your brand mission. This method will also help your business stand out as an employer of choice.

2. Foster a positive work environment and culture

A positive work environment can significantly impact employee enthusiasm. To create a supportive and collaborative culture, encourage open communication. Your organization should welcome employee feedback and constructive criticism. Also, promptly address any conflicts or issues to maintain an upbeat atmosphere.

3. Offer professional development opportunities

According to a recent survey, only 46% of workers feel their employers support their career growth². And yet, caring about your employees’ future can have a 45% positive impact on your staff feeling valued and supported at work. So, if you want to boost your employees' enthusiasm, provide professional development opportunities.

Lack of career growth and development can lead to employee disengagement. Offer employees opportunities to improve their skills by offering training programs or workshops. You can also support their participation in relevant conferences. This helps them grow professionally in their field. It also shows you value their skills and want to invest in their career goals.

Many benefits can help your staff develop their skills. But, a professional development stipend is one of the most flexible. With a stipend, you can give your employees money to improve their talents and learn the way that’s best for them on their own time.

Your employees can use their professional development stipend on:

• Online learning platforms such as Coursera or Skillshare
• Books and audiobooks
• Graduate degree programs in their career field
• Career coaches
• Professional memberships, associations, and clubs

4. Recognize and reward achievements

Recognizing and rewarding your employees' achievements can boost enthusiasm. Go the extra mile when it comes to celebrating individual and team successes. Publicly acknowledge and reward their contributions and provide regular feedback and constructive praise. When employees feel recognized and appreciated, their enthusiasm and motivation naturally increase.

There are many ways to reward your engaged employees for their hard work. For example, you can give spot bonuses to reward employees for meeting specific goals, resolving difficult tasks, celebrating company anniversaries, or recognizing team wins.

5. Foster a healthy work-life balance

Burnout can quickly drain enthusiasm and leave employees feeling exhausted and unmotivated. Encourage a healthy work-life balance with flexible working hours, meal and rest breaks, and an environment that supports well-being. Having stress management or wellness programs can also create a more enthusiastic workforce.

6. Invest in their health

If you want employees to have a positive mindset when they arrive at work, focus on their health. Our 2024 Employee Benefits Report found that health insurance is by far the most popular employee benefit, with 92% of employees valuing it. Yet only 72% of employers offer it.

While most employers offer traditional group health insurance, there are more affordable and flexible options for coverage.

A health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) is an employer-funded, IRS-approved health benefit. With an HRA, you can reimburse employees, tax-free, for their qualifying healthcare expenses. Depending on the HRA, this can include individual health plan premiums, out-of-pocket medical expenses, or a combination of the two. Business owners can also participate in an HRA if the IRS considers them a W-2 employee.

Here are three of the most common HRAs:

1. Qualified small employer HRA (QSEHRA): This HRA is for small employers with fewer than 50 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) who don't offer a group plan. All W-2 full-time employees are automatically eligible for a QSEHRA. But they must have a qualified health plan with minimum essential coverage (MEC) to participate.
2. Individual coverage HRA (ICHRA): The ICHRA is for organizations of all sizes. Employees must have a qualifying form of individual health insurance to use an ICHRA. Employers can customize allowances and benefit eligibility with employee classes.
3. Group coverage HRA (GCHRA): Also called an integrated HRA, a GCRHA is for companies of all sizes looking to supplement their group health plans. Only employees enrolled in their employer's group plan can take part in this HRA. Unlike a QSEHRA or ICHRA, it can’t reimburse employees for premiums.

You can also opt for a health stipend. This stipend is a set amount of money employees can use to buy medical expenses and out-of-pocket healthcare costs. A health stipend provides greater flexibility for your employees, but it's taxable.

Conclusion

Employee enthusiasm plays a crucial role in company success. While you can't force your employees to have a positive attitude, these tips can help create a culture of enthusiasm at your workplace. Using these strategies, you can reignite engagement throughout your staff and create a workforce with a more enthusiastic attitude.

Ready to offer a customized HRA that boosts the energy of your team? Schedule a call now with an HRA specialist!

This blog article was originally published on February 18, 2015. It was last updated on August 26, 2024.

1. https://www.gallup.com/workplace/236927/employee-engagement-drives-growth.aspx

2. https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2024-03-20-gartner-finds-46-percent-employees-are-satisified-with-career-development