How to keep your staff motivated during the winter

For much of the U.S., winter months are full of bleak, dreary days with snow, sleet, and cold or freezing temperatures. It’s no wonder that so many people get seasonal affective disorder, or depression, during this time. Employee productivity can often drop as staff dream of warmer weather ahead. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to keep your staff motivated during the winter:

1. Offer free food

The first way to employees’ hearts may be through their stomachs. In an experiment conducted by psychologist Dan Ariely, factory workers who were promised free pizza showed a larger increase in productivity than those that were told they would receive money, The Telegraph reported. Plus, during the cold winter days, a piping hot pizza or other food incentive could be just the pick-me-up that employees need. Just be careful not to do this often, as too much unhealthy food can leave workers sluggish and tired.

2. Be social

Being cooped up with work all day can have a heavy impact on morale. Schedule outings or engagement opportunities to bring your staff closer together. The Street recommended improving your own presence at the office to demonstrate you care about your employees’ personal lives. Even a pizza party or team meeting could be an opportunity to provide a more interactive experience to pull a team out of a winter slump.

3. Deliver a handwritten card

Employee recognition has a high correlation to overall staff motivation and productivity. According to a study by Gallup, only one in three U.S. workers received recognition or praise for their work within the past week. Workers that get this level of attention are more likely to be engaged in their jobs and stick with the company for a longer period of time.

The easiest way to deliver this type of praise on a regular basis is to create handwritten cards for your employees. These cards might highlight a successful project or a milestone in the worker’s history at the business. Personalized thank-you notes can show workers that their efforts are noticed and appreciated. This can go a long way toward boosting staff morale in the winter and improving business operations.

The winter can be a real slog if employees are affected by the weather or simply feel like their work is being ignored. With free food, more social opportunities and personalized thank you cards, you can recognize your employees while keeping them motivated and engaged in their work.