But job satisfaction isn’t just something you can throw money at.  Although most employees are ultimately working in exchange for monetary compensation, you can’t treat them like nameless, faceless numbers in your ledger and expect them to be grateful for it.  The truth is that while adults must work in order to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table, the time they spend in your employ takes them away from the pursuits that make life worthwhile, such as family and friends, leisure activities, fitness, and pretty much any activity that brings joy and fulfillment to their lives.  That’s a lot to compete with.  But considering how little it takes to make most workers feel like their contributions are valued and that their working hours are spent on something meaningful, it’s surprising that more companies don’t make the effort.

So what can you do to raise employee morale?  There are many ways to effect changes in your work environment.  One option is to address any disparity in wages.  If you don’t pay competitively within your industry you could wind up with employees that have one foot out the door as they wait for a better offer.  Of course, small businesses may not be able to provide the same level of compensation as their corporate competitors, but money isn’t everything.  One of the biggest complaints that most employees have is that they are undervalued.  But how do you let your workforce know that their contributions are what keep your company in business?

You can start with management training.  A good boss is worth his/her weight in gold as far as employee morale goes, but manager training programs at most corporations are a joke; they teach supervisors how to micromanage, which accomplishes just the opposite by making employees feel like little kids being watched every minute by a ruler-wielding teacher.  Supervisors would be better served to take on the role of mentor so that employees not only feel like they have the support they need, but that the company trusts them to be competent in the positions they were hired for.  And their accomplishments should be rewarded with both emotional and monetary recognition.  They should get a pat on the back for their achievements and they should share in the financial successes of the company with yearly performance bonuses.

The idea is that your employees keep your company in operation, and the way they are treated (or that they perceive they are treated) has a definite impact on profitability.  So if you approach your employees like nothing so much as cogs in a machine and then end up scratching your head over falling profit margins, you may want to rethink your position on employee morale and what you can do to improve it.

Emma Martin writes for Midwest HR Illinois HR Outsourcing, managing all of your HR service needs.

1. Join the team.  Your first step is to become a part of the team.  You are not employed by this company for your own benefit (although you do receive a paycheck).  You’re part of a larger group that is working towards a common goal.  If you fail to integrate yourself into the group you’re not likely to advance amongst the ranks (or keep your position for very long).  And you certainly won’t have the benefit of feeling like you are included in the shared success of the company as a whole (in other words, you’re missing out on the emotional benefits of mutual recognition).
2. Manage your time.  If you’re often overwhelmed by your workload, to the point where it is hampering your ability to meet deadlines, then perhaps part of your problem is time management.  If you want to be successful in the work environment you need to spend less time updating your Facebook profile and more time setting (and following) a schedule.  Keeping an up-to-date appointment reminder (our business), deadline calendar, and milestone marker will help you to reach your goals in a timely manner.  And there’s nothing wrong with scheduling in breaks throughout the day to hit the head, eat lunch, or simply clear your head with a mind-numbing game of Bejeweled.
3. Track success.  When it comes time for promotions to be handed out, nobody is going to remember the project you did eight months ago that saved the company millions of dollars.  You’re going to have to toot your own horn here, so come prepared with a list of your past successes and a plan for future ones that will help you convince your superiors to give you the title and salary increase you deserve.
4. Ask for what you want.In the corporate world you can pretty much expect that you’ll be ignored only so long as you don’t make any noise.  If you want something (a promotion, a raise, a chance at working on a particular team or project) you need to ask for it.  You might not get it just by asking, but you almost certainly won’t be considered if you stay silent.
5. Adopt a positive attitude.  One of the best tricks to thriving at work is to make a conscious decision to do so.  Let the small stuff roll off your back and you’ll find that you get along better with colleagues and feel better overall, which will reflect positively in your interpersonal interaction, both at work and at home.  Becoming a more relaxed and confident person will help you in all areas of life, but most especially in an otherwise stressful occupation.

Less Free Time

First, you’ll obviously be giving up most, if not all, of your free time, usually your nights and weekends.  Is there anything you’ll have to sacrifice by getting a second job?  Will you have to give up your usual Thursday night after-work social time?  Will you have to stop working out?  Will you have less time with your children?  And for that matter, will you have to find childcare?  That could negate any extra money you’re bringing in.  No matter what you’ll have to put on hold, the most important question is, are you willing to do so?

Exhaustion

How tired are you after getting home from your full-time job?  Consider that you may not have the energy to make it through at another place, especially if your full-time job allows you to sit down but your part-time one would have you standing or in constant motion.  Even if you’re still energetic when you get home, if you begin working significantly longer hours, you may begin to wear yourself out.  This can come at the expense of both your physical and mental health, and cause your performance at both jobs to suffer.

Higher Tax Bracket

Income from a second job may toss you into a higher tax bracket.  Just like the babysitter, this could negate the extra money you’re making—someone else is taking it all from you!  This is definitely an important point to look into before taking on the second job.  You don’t want to be working for nothing.

Conflict of Interest

You’ll also have to make sure you don’t run into a “conflict of interest” with your full-time employer.  This can exist in two ways.  Not only might your hours conflict or run too closely together, but you may have to avoid working in the same field somewhere else if it’s part of your employer’s policy.  If the conflict is in scheduling, you may put either job in jeopardy by consistently arriving late or having to leave early.  Avoiding the same field may be easy, unless perhaps that’s the field where your strengths lie and you know you may have a hard time finding a job in a different one.

Of course, if the advantages outweigh any of these, then start applying.  You’ll get extra cash, possible employee discounts, and maybe even learn some new skills.  But if any of the above disadvantages struck a chord with you, you may want to reconsider—a second job might not be a good decision.

• First item of business: don’t panic.  Clear your thoughts and try not to focus on any anger you may have; let it out and then let it go.  It’s time to direct your attention to the months ahead.

• File immediately for unemployment benefits.  This process can take a long time, so the sooner you start, the better off you’ll be.  Of course, your pay will not be anywhere near what you were making at your job, but it’s better than zero income at all when you’re simply trying to survive.
• Start looking for a new job right away.  The job market is tight.  Even if you’re a good fit, you may not get a job you’ve applied for because there are so many others in the same position as you.  One factory near my area has 3000 applicants for one open position.  You have to fight harder than ever to get hired right now, so your search may take longer than you might anticipate.
• If you’ve already lost your job, hopefully you have a savings account of some type to fall back on.  Go ahead and use that to determine how long you can survive before things get to a desperate stage—this will affect your job search time, and may help you stay motivated.  If you’re facing job loss and you don’t have a savings, start one right now.  Even a few dollars a week put away can add up and come in handy when you need extra cash.  Money is probably tight for you, but follow the rule “pay yourself first.”  You’ll see that you do have the ability to save up.
• Try to avoid using your credit card unless absolutely necessary.  You could put yourself in a worse position if you start incurring more debt that you cannot immediately pay back.  Your new motto is “Only use the credit card for emergencies.”
• Create a budget and stick to it.  Take a look at your savings and any unemployment (or even severance) benefits you may be getting and compare it to your bills and expenses.  Cut out anything unnecessary.  For example, if you can get by without satellite tv, do so.  You’re going to be spending a lot of time job-hunting anyway; you don’t have time for tv.
• Sell any junk around your home that you don’t need or want.  This will be a temporary fix for some quick cash, but it can help, especially if you have some items that will sell for a decent price either on ebay or at a garage sale.
• Consider picking up a part-time job in the meantime.  Be aware that this option may affect what you can receive in the way of unemployment benefits, but the decision is yours, and it’s particular to your personal situation.  You may even find a part-time job that offers benefits and keeps you going until you find full-time employment.
• Brush up your networking skills.  Keep in touch with your professional contacts if you can.  You may end up hearing about a job opening that isn’t publicized or gain an important and beneficial reference.
• Stay active!  A long job search can become discouraging, especially during a period of unemployment.  Keep in touch with family and friends, exercise on a regular basis, and keep up with your hobbies.  If you’re able, pick up a new book or take a class that can help you hone some existing skills and maybe even learn new ones that can make you more marketable.  Letting yourself become idle is one of the worst things you can do right now.

Your situation is going to be different from someone else’s, but remember that you’re not the only one having to survive without a job.  The recession has hit many businesses and forced them to cut back and lay off employees, even entire departments.  Use every bit of help you can find and every resource at your disposal to ensure you can get by until you find a new job.

Things To Do At Work

• Arrive on time.  In fact, arrive a little earlier if you can.  If you allow yourself the opportunity to either have a few quiet moments to yourself or even get going on a pending project before others show up to interrupt you, your day can be a little easier.
• Add personality to your workspace.  Bring a few pictures that make you smile, set up a plant or two, or post a few witty sayings by your computer.  Making your space reflect you can make it more comfortable and inviting to work in.
• Avoid negative people.  You probably work with someone who does nothing but complain.  There’s one in every crowd, and you’ve probably played into their whining and even joined in.  Try not to match their emotion.  A positive attitude can go a long way.
• Smile and be happy!  There’s always going to be something to worry or complain about.  If it’s not one thing, it’s another.  But if you smile, crack jokes, and laugh, your mood will be lifted, making it easier to push through the difficult projects.  Even a brief fake smile or laugh can usually trigger a real one, releasing endorphins and happy hormones into your body.  Hang onto them!
• If something has become upsetting, don’t let yourself explode immediately.  Try to stay calm.  Breathe deeply—if you try to breathe through your nose only, it can force you to take slower breaths.  Take a brief break if necessary.  Get up and walk around, head outside, and just get away for a moment.  You’ll give yourself time to clear your thoughts, and you might even return with a plan and feel less overwhelmed.
• Work on your time management skills.  Try to plan your day, and take projects one step at a time.  It’s easier to stay focused if you hone in on only one thing and block out the rest until you get there.
• Say no.  If you’re truly swamped, it’s okay to refuse to help on someone else’s project.  Just do it nicely: “I’d love to help, but I just have too much on my plate right now.”  Practice saying no if you have to, especially if you know you’re always saying yes and then regretting it.

Things To Do At Home

• Get enough sleep.  This one is always tough, especially when you have a busy schedule.  But if you can make some adjustments so that you can get enough sleep, you’ll have the energy you’re supposed to have in the morning.
• Eat right.  You can (and should) even make this a task at work, too.  Greasy and processed foods do not provide the right kind of calories and energy for your body.  In fact, try being strict about eating well for just one week.  You’ll notice quite a difference if you try to eat a sugary snack or greasy burger in the following weeks.  You won’t feel as good as if you had chosen something like a piece of fruit or a homemade sandwich on whole grain bread.  Instead, you’ll feel your food sitting like a rock in your stomach, and you’ll feel sluggish.
• Work out on a regular basis.  Even just twenty minutes of exercise a few times a week can increase your energy levels.  It may sound backwards, since you’re expending energy while working out, but you will notice a boost in your energy as your endurance level increases.  If you can increase the amount of time you can work out, even better.  Find a program that you enjoy and can easily stick to, whether it’s a simple morning walk or an intense cardio dance exercise video.
• Avoid alcohol and nicotine.  It’s common to view these as relaxation tools, but they’re really doing damage to your body and your health, and it’s having an impact on your energy and stress levels at work.  Having a drink as a regular way to unwind after work can lead to dependency and abuse (not to mention, it’s ruining that healthy diet you just adopted).  And while many people look to smoking to calm their nerves, nicotine is actually a stimulant, working to increase your anxiety level.

While all of these steps can help you, don’t create more stress on yourself by feeling like you have to attempt all of them at once.  If you think you can easily work through them all, go for it, but don’t be afraid to take them one step at a time if necessary.  Happy relaxing!