I've been tasked with coming up with some activities to boost faculty morale, but I do not intend to pursue the suggestion that we offer a hatchet-tossing event. In times of stress and change, it's probably not a great idea for faculty members to be armed--one errant toss could shift our campus bloodletting out of the metaphorical realm.
But what can we do? A case of Xanax might make a dent in our current stress levels, but nobody's going to approve the expense. The HR office brought in massage chairs, but appointments are limited and the massages don't last long enough to loosen up the deep-seated sources of our pain. Yesterday at an all-campus event we were urged to stand and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" (because the academic year has reached the seventh-inning stretch). Participation was spotty and enthusiasm was low, and it seems that some of my colleagues didn't know the words. We need to get out more!
Okay, baseball season is coming up soon so let's get out there! Last year I attended a bunch of home games but never saw more than two other faculty members in attendance. Apparently we're not big baseball fans?
How about a guided wildflower hike? A long walk along the river trail? What will it take to help people relax: a fleet of kayaks, a pen of puppies, a coloring sheet and a big ol' box o' crayons?
Everything I come up with feels lame when juxtaposed with the losses we've been suffering, but on the other hand, maybe some small but meaningful activity could help distract us from those losses and think about the future more effectively.
When I moped around the house as a kid, my mom would open the door, point toward the yard, and command, "Go out and play!" Sometimes a change of venue provokes a change of perspective. The problem, though, is that wherever we go out to play, we can't seem to escape the problems that had us moping around the house to begin with.
So I don't know what to do. What are some effective methods for improving morale on a budget when everywhere we go we see signs of the very problems that depress morale?
I'm happy to open the door and point the way--but I don't intend to hand out any hatchets.
6 comments:
We've done talent shows and board/card game sessions-- the people who attend have fun, but any given thing is going to appeal to some and not others.
Real perks-- there's more office space, let people move into better offices. Can more flexibility be offered? What kind of resources are there to help people transition to new jobs? Are there additional perks that could be added like being able to take classes for free or have family members take classes for free (you may already have these)?
Everything else seems kind of like old-school Dilbert. But maybe I'm just too cynical.
But yeah, your ideas about nature and coloring (see also: puzzles) are probably the best that can be done. Maybe some meditation. Oh, and working with a local shelter to bring in puppies and/or kittens (but be careful about allergies).
I'm with Nicole....I would focus on real perks and not do the group stuff.
For a while our university loaded one free meal per week on our ID cards. Every Friday whoever hadn't used theirs would walk down to the cafeteria and eat lunch together. Depending on the universities agreement/contract with the food people, the marginal cost may not be that expensive.
If the university operates on a MWF/TTH schedule, a switch to a MW/TTH schedule (or MTH/TF schedule if they are not wanting students to leave campus for the weekend) would probably do the most in terms of free job perk. Couple this with allowing staff to work from home one day a week could go a long way.
All great ideas. Occasionally our HR people use wellness money to bring in a massage therapist to offer 20-minute chair massages. I had one yesterday and it was relaxing, but frankly, I'd rather have a raise. But while I was sitting there having my very tense shoulder muscles kneaded into submission, my mind wandered around campus thinking of various people who have skills they could share with their colleagues. A little improv class, a little art therapy, some quiet time in the greenhouse with a botanist...I'd enjoy that.
Our university just eliminated four majors, including theater. No raises against this year. I am now making, adjusted for inflation, less than I made when I started at the university 22 years ago.
The admin suggests yoga and avoiding stress. Oooookay.
When our small office was facing desperately bad morale and had very little autonomy to do something about it, we tried a handful of "we just have to get through one day at a time" things. Those who were interested brought tennis rackets or baseball gloves and balls to toss around for ten minute breaks. We'd plan cheap potlucks once a week, everyone would bring one thing to share to make up a hot lunch. It wasn't intended to RAISE morale, which felt like too much of an ask, it was intended to make the days and weeks more tolerable. Put that way, it was achievable to introduce a little lightness or fun to our days, just enough so you can get to the next day.
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