Outside the box: Unique — and low-cost — ways to motivate employees

With employee satisfaction at a record low, keeping staffers motivated calls for some creativity. But there’s no need to reinvent the wheel.

Here’s a few creative morale boosters from some forward-thinking organizations:

Give some extra help. One firm’s president let workers use company cell phones, copiers and even vehicles for errands. The move did slightly increase the company’s costs; however, it also helped ease employees’ stress. Result: a more motivated, focused workforce. The president kept an updated schedule of what was in use, so all deserving employees got a chance to use whatever equipment they needed.

Kick back time. To improve morale, a manager at a CA-based transportation company doled out “E-time” — short for “earned time.” People could use their E-time to come in late, duck out early or spend time in the E-time room — a green room of sorts complete with a couch, video games, cable TV and Internet access.

Employees earned time for the following:

• 15 minutes for correctly answering the “Question of the Day” — a daily quiz about procedures or company services
• 15 minutes for exceeding goals and standards, and
• 30 minutes for receiving an unsolicited compliment in writing.

Has your company done something creative recently in an attempt to boost morale? Share it with us in the Comments section.