💡 How Smart IT Can Significantly Boost Employee Morale

While the primary goal of any company is financial success, improving employee morale does not have to be a secondary concern. The two objectives can be mutually supportive, and strategic investments in smart IT can be one of the most effective ways to boost staff happiness.

This approach offers multiple advantages beyond morale. Here are three key ways to leverage your IT resources to keep employees happy and productive.

1. Offer Employee Choice in Hardware (Mac vs. Windows)

The debate between Mac and Windows hardware is long-standing, but for most businesses, strict adherence to one platform is unnecessary.

• Employee Preference and Comfort: Employees are happier and often more productive using the hardware they are already accustomed to.
• Software Compatibility: Modern software, including the entire Microsoft Office suite, functions perfectly well on both Mac and PC platforms, removing historical compatibility roadblocks.
• The Cisco Example: In 2009, during an economic crisis, Cisco made headlines by allowing employees to choose any Mac or PC they wanted for work. The company reported that this decision actually saved money and significantly boosted employee morale. The chief IT officer and peers even received “thank you” notes from delighted employees who appreciated the freedom to select their own devices.

Actionable Tip: If the costs are planned appropriately, allowing staff to choose between Macs and PCs can offer unexpected benefits beyond just high morale.

2. Provide Opportunities for Remote Work (Telecommuting)

In the current professional landscape, the majority of employees no longer need to be physically present in the office to perform their duties. Modern IT allows staff to access the network remotely via laptops, and platforms like Skype or FaceTime enable seamless daily communication.

Benefits of Remote Work:

• Increased Productivity: Studies suggest telecommuting employees are often more productive than their office-based counterparts, potentially due to fewer distractions from social interactions.
• Morale Boosters: Remote work significantly improves employee happiness by:
  • Eliminating the commute (saving time, money on gas, and public transport).
  • Allowing for additional sleep, which enhances productivity.
  • Removing the necessity of spending money and time on formal clothing, hair, and makeup, allowing staff to work in comfortable attire.

Employee Value: The desire for remote work is strong. One survey of 1,500 IT professionals found that 37% would go so far as to give up a 10% pay raise in exchange for the ability to work from home.

3. Invest in IT to Simplify and Expedite Work

An employer is not the only one who appreciates tasks being completed quickly; experts find that the faster employees get work done, the happier they are. When obsolete systems, lagging machines, or faulty hardware create constant pressure and bottlenecks, overall morale suffers.

Employers may not even be aware of the daily IT roadblocks their teams face. By investing in smart IT that handles heavy lifting, you enable employees to do more with less friction.

Examples of Productivity-Boosting IT:

• Cloud Computing: Cloud-based file sharing has become commonplace, making it easy for employees to share and collaboratively edit documents without the hassle of sending countless email attachments.
• Digital Signatures: These tools allow users to “sign” documents in a legally binding way without the time-consuming process of printing, manually signing, and scanning the physical paper.
• Removing Roadblocks: Ensuring even simple tools, such as the printer, are easily accessible and functional makes employees’ jobs more efficient.

The “Upgrade” Principle: Getting tasks done quicker and more efficiently requires periodic technology upgrades. If employees are manually performing tasks that could be streamlined by digital tools, you should support their efforts by updating their “weapons” to match the modern workflow.

Get in touch with the team