Are your employees lacking enthusiasm? These tips can help

Enthusiastic people make great employees. When your employees are passionate and motivated, they’re more likely to be productive, creative, and engaged in their work.

Additionally, data collected in a Gallup survey¹ found a strong correlation between employee engagement and company performance. The results found that more engaged workers contributed to a 23% increase in profitability.

On the other hand, those who lack enthusiasm can experience decreased productivity and lower morale, ultimately leading to a decline in your organization’s overall performance.

In this article, we'll explore some practical tips and strategies that can help you reignite enthusiasm among your employees, as well as create a positive and thriving work environment.

Download our guide to get 11 insider tips on how small employers can retain their best employees

1. Provide a clear vision and purpose

Employees need to understand the bigger picture and how their work contributes to the organization's goals. Take the time to 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 organization’s goals, it can boost employee engagement, enthusiasm, and motivation. Additionally, clearly communicated values can lead to your organization attracting employees who believe in your brand mission.

2. Foster a positive work environment and culture

A positive work environment can significantly impact employee enthusiasm. Encourage open communication that welcomes employee feedback and constructive criticism to create a supportive, collaborative company culture. Also, make sure to address any conflicts or issues promptly to maintain a positive atmosphere.

3. Offer professional development opportunities

Our 2022 Employee Benefits Survey Report found that 61% of employees value professional development benefits, while only 40% of employers offer them. If you want to boost your employee's enthusiasm, pay attention to their career goals.

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

With WorkPerks by PeopleKeep, you can offer your employees a professional development stipend. This allows them to learn their way on their own time.

Your employees can use their stipend on:

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

4. Recognize and reward achievements

Recognizing and rewarding your employees' achievements can go a long way in boosting enthusiasm. Go the extra mile when it comes to celebrating individual and team successes. You can 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.

Through WorkPerks, you can offer your employees custom perks of any kind to reward them for their hard work. You can give out a spot bonus as a one-time stipend to reward your employees for meeting specific goals, celebrating their anniversaries with your company, or recognizing team achievements.

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 by promoting flexible working hours, giving employees meal and rest breaks, and creating an environment that supports employee well-being. Providing resources for stress management or wellness programs can also contribute to a more enthusiastic workforce.

6. Invest in their health

If you want employees to feel their best when they show up to work, make their health a priority. Our report found that health insurance is by far the most popular employee benefit, with 87% of employees valuing it.

While most employers provide this benefit through traditional group health insurance, you have more affordable and flexible options for coverage.

A health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) is an employer-funded health benefit that's IRS-approved. With an HRA, you can reimburse employees, tax-free, for their qualifying healthcare expenses. This can include individual health insurance premiums, out-of-pocket medical expenses, or a combination of the two, depending on the HRA you offer.

Here are three of the most common HRAs:

• Qualified small employer HRA (QSEHRA)
• Individual coverage HRA (ICHRA)
• Group coverage HRA (GCHRA), also known as an integrated HRA

You can also use a health stipend. It's a set amount of money offered to employees for their eligible medical expenses and out-of-pocket healthcare costs. A health stipend offers 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 within your organization. By implementing these strategies, you can help reignite the enthusiasm among your employees and create a more engaged and motivated workforce.

Ready to offer customized benefits that boost the energy of your team? Schedule a call now with a personalized benefits advisor!

This blog article was originally published on February 18, 2015. It was last updated on August 8, 2023.

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