INDUSTRIAL MORALE

Meaning

Industrial Morale is defined as the possession of a feeling on the part of the employee of being accepted and belonging to a group of employees through adherence to common goals and confidence in the desirability of these goals.

Morale is a state of mind or the willingness to work which in turn affects individuals and organizational objectives.

It is an attitude of mind, a state of well being and emotional force.

It affects employees and executives in their interactions immediately and ultimately customer and community.

Individual morale: it is related with knowing one’s own expectations and living up to them.

Group morale is everyone's concern and must be practiced continually for it is never ultimately achieved and is constantly changing.

Results in High level commitment,sincerity and employee loyalty.

Guion (1958) defined Morale as: Absence of Conflict Feeling of Happiness Good personal adjustment Ego involvement in one’s job Group cohesiveness Collection of job related attitudes Individual’s acceptance of the goals of

the group

Characteristics

It is dynamic It is complex It is an attribute of individual It exists with reference to job situation It is influenced by motivation It is applicable to employees at all the

job levels It involves ego & its satisfaction

Factors that Influence Morale Group cohesiveness or feeling of

togetherness Need for a goal Observable progress towards the goal-

there must be observable progress towards the goal

Specific meaningful tasks- individual in the group must have specific meaningful tasks that are necessary to the achievement of the goal

Job security

Management style. Staff feeling that their contribution is valued by

their employer. Realistic opportunities for merit-based

promotion. The perceived social or economic value of the

work being done by the organization as a whole.

The perceived status of the work being done by the organization as a whole.

Team composition. The work culture

General workers attitude towards the company/supervisor.

The level of satisfaction with job standards.

The work load and work pressure level.

Treatment of individuals by management.

Level of workers pride in company. Level of workers satisfaction with

salaries.

Measures of Improving Morale incorporate tangible factors like food and

money as well as less concrete facets such as time, learning, and culture

Morale boosting techniques/methods can be implemented in almost any aspect of the work environment

Application of methods such as increasing employee recognition and

involvement fostering communication and a sense

of belongingness and ownership within the organization

providing opportunities for education and personal development

creating a physically comfortable work environment

Make workers feel that the organization they work for genuinely cares about them

Ask employees if they feel they are working to their potential

Cross-train employees

Measurement of morale.

Popular methods: 1)observation (MBWA)

2)attitude surveys -interview method -questionnaire method.

3)company records and reports.

Maintenance of morale.

These measures prevent regression in the level of morale. 1)job enrichment. 2) Modifying the work environment. 3)Flexible working hours. 4)job rotation. 5)point individual prosperity in company

prosperity.