We have said this a number of times before, one of the key ingredients for successful warehouse operation is to have a happy and motivated team. When staff are happy in their work environment, they are more likely to work harder and be more receptive to new ideas. What’s more, it will make the warehouse a better and more successful environment to work in.  However, don’t assume that your team are simply motivated by a higher paycheque! Here are a few ways in which you can keep your workers happy and motivated.

Keeping Warehouse Workers Happy with Company Decisions

When you put your staff first and consider their opinions of potential changes, you create an environment in which they can thrive. Before making decisions with higher management, consider speaking to your team to see what they think, or if they have any ideas to bring to the table.

You may also wish to consider holding quarterly or annual team meetings with the entire workforce. Make note of their opinions of the company and what they would like to see changed or improved. From this, you can set goals and targets that come with rewards for meeting them such as a team day out, bonus or gift.

Offer Flexi-time

In warehouses, shift patterns can be rather long and unsociable. If your employees work the same shifts every day, the work can soon become uninspired and lack productivity. By creating a flexible working hours programme, your staff can become much more motivated again. They will have the chance to work with different members of staff and have the choice of different hours to suit their lifestyle. Offering this shift style can also reduce staff turnover rates, as well as the need for temporary workers.

A serious Approach to Safety

If an employee does not feel safe in the workplace, it is natural for them to not want to stick around for much longer. It’s important to promote safe practices in the warehouse, as it shows you care for your staff. In addition, you will motivate them to enjoy their working environment.

In addition to health and safety, taking steps to promote health and well-being can have a huge impact on their productivity and desire to work. After all, warehouses are extremely demanding environments. Here are some things you can do to promote general wellbeing among your staff.

• Create a comfortable and welcoming break room or area where your workers can fully relax during their lunch break.
• Discourage a “work until you drop” culture. If your staff are injured or unwell, allow them to take ample days off.
• Encourage regular breaks – particularly for those who are responsible for manual intensive tasks.
• Encourage or promote fundraising activities and events that members of staff have organised outside of work.
• OR – create your own fundraising events or team building days that will bring the company together.
• Playing music throughout the warehouse will also motivate your team, but please make sure it isn’t distracting and hazardous.

Offer Further Training

Offering your staff further training doesn’t just benefit their personal and career development. Further training will have a big positive impact on your business. Making your workers responsible for a certain aspect of their job can be a great way to boost their motivation. What’s more, it improves staff retention rates.

For example, rack safety awareness training will not only help workers identify damage to racking systems. This extra training will provide more steps to prevent any future damage. This will empower your workers, as well as help to extend the life if your racking and save money on repairs.

Positive Feedback

Without receiving any feedback or recognition for their hard work, your staff don’t really know how well they are doing. When you overlook hard work or achievements, you will see a drop in productivity as a result. Here are a few things you can do to ensure that your staff feel acknowledged for their hard work.

• Organise competitions or goals such as an employee of the month and offer a prize or bonus for the winning employee.
• Have team leaders nominate the worker they feel gave 110 per cent each month/quarter/year.
• A simple “thank you” or “well done” can go a long way. Sometimes a simple acknowledgement is better than any physical reward.
• Highlight your employee’s strengths. Offer them the chance to work in a new department or take on a new role that allows them to work to these strengths. You’d be surprised to see how their motivation changes.
• Organise regular 1 to 1’s between your staff and management. Tell them what they’re doing well and what they can improve on. This is also a good time to get their opinions on the company and what they think may need to change.

Get the right Storage System from Monarch Shelving Ltd

If you think that your staff could also do with a better storage system to help keep a smooth workflow, then look no further. Monarch Shelving Ltd is here to ensure that you can get the very best storage solutions to keep your warehouse running smoothly and efficiently. To learn more about our products, both new and second-hand, get in touch.