Blog

< Back to Blogs

Managing Employee Morale Amid Uncertainty: 3 | Enterprise IT Resources

May 30, 2020

COVID-19 has taught us many lessons in a very short time, and one of the key things it has highlighted is how rapidly change can occur. Uncertainty has always been part of the business world, and it’s safe to assume it will remain that way long after this situation has passed.


The effects of uncertainty can quickly trickle down to the workforce and lead to significant issues with employee morale and productivity. As a result, it’s vital that leaders understand how to identify and lessen the impact of uncertainty to help their businesses withstand challenges – both now and in the future.


3 Signs that Employee Morale May Be Suffering


As uncertainty grows within an organisation, it can drastically impact the mood of the team. However, leaders can learn to recognise morale issues and tackle them head-on to prevent them from negatively affecting the business in the long term. 


Here are some of the biggest red flags to watch out for.


Some of these signs may not be immediately obvious or could come on gradually, particularly if there is a disconnect between management and the rest of the team. However, time and change (such as a return to the office environment after working remotely) can bring these issues to the forefront, so it’s important to be actively monitoring your team for red flags to pinpoint them before they become bigger problems

Actionable Steps to Improve Morale


In uncertain times, leadership determines whether a business can rise above the challenges and continue to move forward, or if it will bow to the growing pressures.


To help you respond to the warning signs and keep your team engaged, we have put together some tips on how to boost employee morale amid uncertainty.


1. Stay in tune

When comes to dealing with uncertainty in business, it’s vital for leaders to constantly stay “tuned in” to the perceptions and needs of their team, especially during crisis events such as COVID-19 where the circumstances can change in an extremely short time.


Being visible and present allows you to better understand the way the uncertainty is disrupting your business and what you need to do to address the problems.


Aim to regularly check in with employees to gauge the general “mood” of the team, gauge morale and provide opportunities for people to raise issues such as feeling overwhelmed by their workload. An easy way to do this is to implement a (realistic) open-door policy, but don’t forget to actively solicit questions and provide opportunities for feedback through avenues such as anonymous employee surveys as well.

2. Be honest and transparent

Transparent communication is a cornerstone of managing employee morale during uncertainty. People will often be confused, fearful and will look for reassurance around the future of the company and their roles, so a leader must be ready to provide that sense of security wherever possible.

However, that doesn’t mean being overly optimistic or sugar-coating reality – negating the facts of a serious situation could make you appear out of touch and will only exacerbate the fears of your team.



Instead, acknowledge that the uncertainty exists, show that you are aware of the difficulties people are facing and provide a plan to manage them. Remember – you don’t have to have all the answers, you just need to be honest and demonstrate that you are prepared to respond to challenges as they arise.

3. Celebrate success

Everyone wants to know their work is appreciated, and in uncertain times, acknowledging the efforts of the team is even more important for boosting morale and making employees feel valued. By recognising success, you can reassure people that progress is being made, even during a difficult time.

Take every opportunity to celebrate wins and achievements, no matter how small. Look for ways to recognise accomplishments with low-cost awards, bonuses and praise – you could even hold a weekly meeting or video call to highlight team members that have made a positive contribution and share recent success stories.

Don’t forget to ensure that everyone knows what is expected of them and involve individuals in setting targets and KPIs – this will keep goals realistic and help people stay focused and motivated despite the circumstances.

Summary


Regardless of the industry you’re in, uncertainty will always be an issue that businesses must deal with, so knowing how it could impact your team and how to respond is key. Whilst there are many ways to improve employee morale, the focus should ultimately be on making people feel valued, secure and engaged. 



For advice on growing your team in an uncertain time or support with your next IT recruitment drive, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Share This Article

Recent Articles

By Shazamme System User February 10, 2025
In 2025, the ability to balance technical proficiency with human-centric qualities like adaptability, creativity, and emotional intelligence will define the leaders in tech hiring.
By Sarah McCandless January 2, 2025
The most sought-after tech professionals aren’t just looking for work - they’re looking for alignment. They want to see companies with a clear purpose, genuine values, and a willingness to invest in people as much as products.
By Sarah McCandless December 4, 2024
So, what will the workforce of 2025 look like, and how can businesses prepare for the changes ahead? Let’s explore the key trends and actionable strategies.

Filter By Category

Subscribe to our News & Advice

By Shazamme System User February 10, 2025
In 2025, the ability to balance technical proficiency with human-centric qualities like adaptability, creativity, and emotional intelligence will define the leaders in tech hiring.
By Sarah McCandless January 2, 2025
The most sought-after tech professionals aren’t just looking for work - they’re looking for alignment. They want to see companies with a clear purpose, genuine values, and a willingness to invest in people as much as products.
By Sarah McCandless December 4, 2024
So, what will the workforce of 2025 look like, and how can businesses prepare for the changes ahead? Let’s explore the key trends and actionable strategies.
By Sarah McCandless November 14, 2024
Whether you run a small business or a large enterprise, strong cybersecurity practices are essential to protecting your organisation from potentially devastating breaches. However, you don’t always need expensive technology or an army of security experts to keep your business safe. Sometimes, good cyber hygiene - simple, everyday practices - can make all the difference in maintaining security.
Upskilling and Reskilling
By Sarah McCandless September 2, 2024
For businesses to stay competitive, and for employees to remain relevant, continuous learning through upskilling and reskilling is a non-negotiable.
Gender Gap
By Sarah McCandless September 2, 2024
In this blog, we’ll explore the current state of gender diversity in Australia's tech sector, discuss the challenges women face, and highlight strategies to empower and support women in tech.
By Sarah McCandless July 26, 2024
Artificial intelligence is a reality that’s transforming industries and job markets worldwide. In Australia, the latest research from the Tech Council of Australia (TCA) , supported by tech giants like Microsoft , LinkedIn , and Workday , predicts that AI will create 200,000 jobs by 2030 . This surge in AI employment is expected to significantly boost productivity and inject billions into the Australian economy. The Economic Impact of AI The TCA report forecasts that generative AI alone could contribute $115 billion to the Australian economy, with around 70% of this stemming from productivity gains. As AI technologies continue to permeate various sectors, the demand for skilled workers in this space will naturally increase. However, to meet the ambitious target of 200,000 AI jobs by 2030 , the workforce will need to expand by a staggering 500% over the next seven years. Bridging the Skills Gap The rapid growth of AI job opportunities presents both an exciting and challenging landscape. One significant challenge is ensuring that the workforce possesses the necessary skills. The TCA report emphasises the need for major reforms in education and training to bridge this skills gap. Building knowledge and experience in AI should be a fundamental part of professional development, encompassing both on-the-job training and formal learning opportunities. The Role of Retraining and Upskilling To achieve the goal of a robust AI workforce, Australia must expand and diversify retraining pathways. This means creating more opportunities for mid-career retraining and upskilling in AI. As many as 84% of knowledge workers in Australia are already using AI in their work, reporting significant time savings. This indicates a positive trend towards AI adoption, but also highlights the need for continuous learning and development in this rapidly evolving field. The growth of AI jobs won't be confined to the tech sector alone. According to Damian Kassabgi , CEO of TCA, AI’s influence will spread across various fields, including human resources, sales, and governance. This broader application of AI technology necessitates a diverse range of skills to develop, maintain, and scale AI systems effectively. Therefore, it's crucial to prepare for this shift by fostering a multidisciplinary approach to AI education and training. The Need for Comprehensive AI Strategies To fully harness the potential of AI, Australia needs a comprehensive AI investment and capability plan. This plan should outline clear paths for regulation, governance, digital infrastructure, and research commercialisation. Paul Leahy from Workday underscores the importance of preparing the workforce for the widespread adoption of AI and ensuring that pipelines of AI-ready workers are in place to meet the growing demand.  The Future of AI in the Workplace AI-powered tools are already helping Australians save time and focus on more critical, creative tasks. As Sarah Carney from Microsoft ANZ points out, “Australians are already using AI-powered tools to help with tasks and are reporting that it saves them time and allows them to focus on more important work and be more creative." The prediction of 200,000 new AI jobs by 2030 marks a transformative period for Australia's workforce and economy. By investing in education, diversifying training pathways, and implementing a robust AI strategy, Australia can position itself at the forefront of the AI revolution. Embracing this change will not only enhance productivity but also open up exciting new career opportunities for Australians across various sectors. Now is the time to act and prepare for an AI-driven future that holds immense potential for growth and innovation.
Why Tech Talent Loves Working in Australia
By Sarah McCandless July 1, 2024
Australia has become a magnet for tech professionals from around the world, including countries like the UK, due to its thriving tech industry, exceptional quality of life, and great career opportunities. Today, we’re unpacking the factors that make Australia an attractive destination for tech talent!
Negotiating Your Salary
June 17, 2024
Negotiating your salary can be one of the most important steps in advancing your career. Whether you’re entering a new role or seeking a raise in your current position, understanding how to effectively negotiate your salary can make a significant difference in your overall compensation and job satisfaction.
Superannuation Contributions Changing on July 1st
By Sarah McCandless June 17, 2024
Starting July 1st, the superannuation contribution rate in Australia will increase from 11% to 11.5%.
More Posts
Share by: