Identification of interventions to improve employee morale in physically demanding, repetitive motion work tasks: A pilot case study

Abstract

Employee morale is a determinant of productivity and retention. This study explores relationships and morale levels between employees and supervisors in a large service industry. An open-ended questionnaire developed based on literature was created to assess morale and motivation, support, incentive, workplace environment, way of motivation, and job satisfaction. This survey was then piloted to managers of hourly product handlers working in a large North American distribution company. Data on existing status of employee morale and the factors influencing morale were collected from managers of three different departments responsible for supervising product handlers. The survey was administered using an online survey tool and answered by a sample of 44 respondents. Poor employee morale and negative attitudes toward their jobs were reported. Influencing factors included minimal pay and hours, lack of motivation, understaffed and unskilled labor, high physical workload, and poor supervision. Manager feedback indicated employees had a lack of understand of company mission and vision but also demonstrated a potential disconnect at the worker and manager ABOUT THE AUTHORThe authors of this paper performed a consultant role to the company described within this case study as part of a graduate-level Macroergonomic course at Mississippi State University (MSU). Macroergonomic methods can be used to aid employers as they pursue avenues that keep their workers happy, healthy, and effective. The company involved in this study understands the criticality of a physically and mentally healthy workforce and reached out to this team to assist their management in defining interventions for current and future workers. The lead researchers who performed this study are members of the Athlete Engineering research team at MSU and often work with the "industrial athlete"-workers who perform repetitive motion tasks-to assist employers in making informed decisions about health and safety.

Factors That Affect the Morale of Employees in the Institution of Higher Learning in South Africa

“…Promotion policies should be revised in a way that promote quality and contribution of employees (Bourini, 2010). While Nur et al, (2021) recommended management to notify employees about the processes of rewards and promotion. The paper recommends that it is crucial for managements of the institutions of higher learning to train employees about promotion processes for understanding and encouragement.…”

“…The paper reveals that the employees they work under unreasonable deadlines and heavy workloads. Nur et al, (2021) recommended management to introduce a job rotation system. While Erasmus (2020) recommended the institution of higher learning to assess factors of stress which includes overload and ambiguity on employees.…”

The leadership challenge of increasing productivity in the workplace without increasing burnout risk

“…Research by Weakliem and Frenkel (2006) explains that enhancing morale leads to productivity gains. Nur et al. (2021, p. 1) suggest that while morale “plays an important role in productivity and retention” that fostering morale can be challenging for managers.…”

“…, 2008) and impacted by underlying team dynamics. Both employee–manager and employee–company relationships were also found to have a strong effect on employee morale (Nur et al. , 2021).…”

“…Morale has been associated with group cohesion (Manning, 1991;Dion, 2000;Siebold, 2006) and group well-being (Peterson et al, 2008) and impacted by underlying team dynamics. Both employee-manager and employee-company relationships were also found to have a strong effect on employee morale (Nur et al, 2021). The efforts of one's co-workers is associated with higher morale (Goo et al, 2019;Weakliem and Frenkel, 2006), and instrumental support from colleagues may alleviate the impact of work overload on strain, including burnout (Van der Doef and Maes, 1999).…”