Morale-Boosting Tips to Keep Your Team Motivated

Team morale is critical to the success of any small business, especially when it comes to hourly workers. These employees often form the backbone of your operation, interacting directly with customers and completing daily tasks efficiently. 

Keeping your team engaged and motivated comes with its share of challenges. When  workers feel disconnected from a company’s mission, undervalued, or lacking in growth opportunities, the results are costly. You lose out on productivity and performance, and in the worst case scenario, you face a constant revolving door. 

But by prioritizing your team's happiness and well-being, you lay the foundation for a thriving business with an unstoppable team. So how do you keep your team’s spirits high? Let’s dive in.

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Create a fulfilling place to work.

Boost morale and retain your hourly workers by creating a workplace that fosters a sense of belonging, value, and purpose. According to the 2024 Homebase Small Business Team Fulfillment Index, fulfillment is less about money and more about strong relationships, meaningful work, and community impact.

In the fierce competition for hourly talent, relationships emerge as the ultimate trump card. A staggering 62% of owners and 64% of hourly workers prioritized "relationships with coworkers" as the top factor for job satisfaction, even surpassing competitive wages. 

That’s why you need to nurture robust, supportive bonds within your team.  Hold activities like team-building exercises, group projects, shared meals, and celebrations to offer opportunities for collaboration, teamwork, and social interaction.

When your team members feel like they’re contributing to something greater,  the results can be transformative. According to our survey, 83% of small business owners and 60% of workers feel they're making a real difference in their communities. Tap into this powerful sense of purpose by clearly communicating your company's mission and values, and show each team member how they contribute to these goals. 

A little recognition goes a long way.

Recognizing and rewarding your team's exceptional performance is a surefire way to boost morale.  So how do you show appreciation for your hourly workers?

The Homebase app makes it super easy to give props to your team members who go above and beyond. Use our Shout Out tool to acknowledge how they provided outstanding customer service, tackled extra responsibilities like a champ, or consistently crushed their goals. Your team can even send a Shout Out to recognize their coworker’s efforts! 

Our report shows 86% of hourly workers say they enjoy their jobs more when they feel recognized, but only 66% actually received a compliment in the past year. Take this opportunity to make a big difference in your team’s happiness and engagement.

Unlock the power of communication. 

An open line of communication keeps everyone on your team informed and helps them feel more involved in the day-to-day operations. The more connected your team feels, the better their morale.

In Wexford, Pennsylvania, Dots and Doodles Art Studio owner Laura Hilger and her family know the power of communication. With a team that juggles art workshops, pottery parties, and summer camps between busy schedules, Laura relies on the everything app to keep her team in sync.

Messaging in Homebase has proven invaluable for keeping the team informed and connected, whether through announcing a team meeting or sharing fun updates. "I send messages through it a lot," Laura says. From swapping shifts to tie-dye party announcements, Homebase keeps everyone in the loop. 

Using our messenger tool, you can:

• Collect feedback. Hear from workers at the end of every shift.
• Know your team. Get automated reports on employee sentiment and understand trends over time.
• Stay connected. Chat with your whole team using our built-in messenger—even when you aren’t there in person.

The app also makes it super simple to celebrate a team member’s birthday, share the good news of a business milestone, or chat casually on a Friday afternoon. It may seem simple, but these genuine moments build a sense of belonging and boost morale.

Offer room to grow and flourish.

Laura knows the impact of creating a place where her team can grow and develop.  She empowers her team to own their role in making the studio a happy place to be: 

“Everyone is happy to be there. It’s a happy place to work, which is really fun,” Laura beams. Her team is genuinely invested in the studio’s mission to make people feel good about themselves and proud of their creative masterpieces.  

In our research, 78% of workers said they're personally invested in their company's success, and nearly half (47%) want to be involved in the decision-making process. Set your team up for success by delegating tasks and projects that allow them to showcase their skills and leadership potential. 

Doing so has paid off for Laura. "I think I'm most proud when I see people succeeding in their roles and them being proud of themselves," she shares. "The more confidence you have in them, the better they'll succeed."

Cross-training and skill-sharing also allows your team to level up their skills. Learning together fosters a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose. By providing growth opportunities, you show your team that you're all-in on their long-term success and value their contributions to your business.

Give them what they crave.

86% of hourly workers are craving more flexibility and on-demand pay, according to our April survey. With Homebase, you can give them both. 

Our app lets your team input the days they can’t work, pick up a last minute shift, and swap shifts with ease. Create a flexible schedule in minutes so you can focus your time on more important things, like growing the business. 

Homebase also gives your team two ways to access their wages early in case of emergency expenses. Say goodbye to overdraft fees and payday loans for your team. They can cash out before payday without any interest charges, credit checks, or late fees. 

With Pay Any Day, your employees can access up to 100% of their wages as soon as they clock out. Already using Homebase for payroll? You can unlock this exclusive perk for your team without lifting a finger. No sneaky fees, no interest charges. All they need to do is switch their direct deposit to Homebase for instant access to their money, anytime, anywhere.

What if your worker doesn’t set up direct deposit with us?  Cash Out gives your team members a quick cash boost. After connecting their bank account, your employees get instant access up to $400 for a small fee, or free delivery within 3 business days. The best part? You don’t have to do a thing.

With either option, your team gets instant access to earned wages before payday and you get help attracting and retaining the best workers. Win-win.

Happy workers. Thriving business.

Fulfilling workplaces value their team members and offer flexible perks and growth opportunities.. You've got what it takes to create a thriving workplace and happy team, but you don’t have to go it alone.

Our everything app for hourly workers has all the tools to make your life easier and your team happier. With Shout Outs, flexible pay options, and team communication tools, it’s a breeze to support your team and keep them engaged for the long run. 

Unlock your team's potential with Homebase and watch your business soar with an unstoppable team behind it.

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