TORONTO, Nov. 22 /CNW/ - The mood around the office water cooler is generally positive, new research suggests. In an Accountemps survey, more than half (54 per cent) of workers described the morale at their companies as somewhat good. Twenty-eight per cent of people said workplace morale is very good.

The survey was developed by Accountemps, the world's first and largest specialised staffing service for temporary accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals, and conducted by an independent research firm. It includes responses from 276 Canadian working adults 18 years of age or older and employed in an office environment.

Workers were asked, "How would you describe the general morale of employees at your company?" Their responses:

    Very good............................................ 28%
    Somewhat good........................................ 54%
    Somewhat poor........................................ 15%
    Very poor............................................  4%
                                                        --------
                                                         101%*
    *Responses do not total 100 per cent due to rounding.

"People ultimately want work they are proud of, colleagues they respect and an environment where their contributions are valued," said Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps and author of Human Resources Kit For Dummies(R), 2nd Edition (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.). "Employers who foster this type of culture are rewarded with higher employee morale and productivity."

Messmer advises managers to avoid taking employee job satisfaction for granted. "Workplace dynamics change constantly," he noted. "Companies should keep a pulse on staff engagement, particularly as business conditions change or new managers are appointed."

Accountemps highlights four methods to help managers gauge the morale of their teams:

    1.  Talk to staff: Checking in with employees on a regular basis, from a
        quick chat at the water cooler to stopping by someone's desk, is
        perhaps the most effective way to gauge the morale of your staff.
        During these conversations, ask about any challenges the team faces
        and how employees feel about work.

    2.  Observe behaviour and performance changes: When employees who were
        once highly engaged don't speak up in meetings or fail to participate
        in group activities, it could be a sign they no longer feel connected
        to the company's mission or to fellow team members.

    3.  Survey employees: Periodically collect feedback from staff members on
        subjects ranging from whether employees feel they have the necessary
        tools to do their jobs well and adequate management support to how
        the company can improve the work environment. The survey process
        alone is a morale booster because it shows people you value their
        opinions. Just be sure to act on the feedback you receive.

    4.  Conduct exit interviews: Ask departing employees how they'd improve
        morale and the work environment. Consider working with human
        resources or another contact outside of your department to conduct
        the meeting and serve as a more neutral facilitator.

About Accountemps

Accountemps has more than 350 offices worldwide and offers online job search services at www.accountemps.com. Follow Accountemps for workplace news at twitter.com/accountemps, and gain insights into the latest accounting and finance hiring and salary trends at www.accountemps.com/salarycentre.

Accountemps has produced a series of videos highlighting Bob from Accountemps, the fast, efficient, go-to accounting professional. Find out why Bob is so popular with his clients and coworkers alike: www.accountemps.com/whoisbob.

SOURCE Accountemps