Motivation, Morale and Productivity
Your company employs 43,500 individuals. With the pandemic and other world events, the human resources department is concerned about employee health and morale. They conducted a survey of the workforce and the results are summarized in the tables below.
Your Task: You have been assigned the task of researching the link between motivation and morale and productivity. Then, analyze the workforce’s motivation and morale at your company and propose steps your company can take toward potential ways to improve motivation and morale. Your supervisor is willing to consider anything that she can support with data from research on motivation and morale, particularly as those factors affect productivity.
Using the data presented below, and at least three outside sources, one of which can be your textbook (for example other sources might provide insight on the benefits of morale and motivation on productivity, turnover, burnout, etc..), prepare a short persuasive report for upper management proposing a potential solution(s) to improve employee motivation and morale, and therefore productivity.
Be sure to first properly support the link between morale and motivation and productivity.
Propose and properly support with research and examples at least three things the company can do to improve morale/motivation that will have a significant impact on the entire workforce.
Assume this proposal will need to be approved by upper management so you need to have a clearly defined plan and end with a call to action: the easy next step you want management to take so you can implement the plan. Consider a trial as well. But be sure to propose a specific idea along with action required to implement the proposal.
As a persuasive report, be sure to use at least some data from the tables AND your research. Because you are not an expert in the field of motivation and morale, you will need research to support your ideas. Include at least one original graphic such as a chart, graph or other visual representation of data to support your idea/plan.
Be sure to follow the BA Style Guide in preparing your report and format it as a stand alone report, not just an email document. Your boss may want to forward the report alone to the board or other key management. You can find the BA Style Guide in the Course Information tab as well as the Finals Week tab.
DATA:
Employee Motivation (Entire Workforce: 43,500)
How would you rate your current motivation at work?
Portion of Workforce
My motivation at work goes up and down often
10,138 (23%)
I don’t think about my motivation
4,361 (10%)
I’m always highly motivated
983 (2%)
I frequently find myself lacking motivation at work
28,018 (64%)
What types of things affect your motivation (all employees). Check all that apply.
Check all that apply
Responses
The nature/monotony of my work
9,210
My commute
6,874
My supervisor/co-workers/customers attitudes and treatment
22,951
Stress related to my daily life
22,509
No Recognition/No one cares
19,540
Do you feel challenged or that your skills are being used to the best of their ability?
Are you challenged at work?
Portion of Workforce
I do not feel my skills are used well or that I am challenged at work
15,988 (37%)
I feel appropriately challenged
2,029 (4.5%)
I haven’t considered whether I am challenged/or my skills are used well
3,210 (7.5%)
I could be more challenged or Some of my skills could be better used
22,273 (51%)
All employees were asked about the nature of their work and to check all that apply:
Nature of work (all that apply)
Responses (all that apply)
I don’t understand how what I do affects the end user or other employees
12,287
I am bored in my job
15,570
I feel overworked/overwhelmed
7,653
I am interested in moving up in my career in the next year
13,598
I would like to learn new skills or jobs in my department
28,954
Is telecommuting an Option (total work force)
Does Your Work Allow You to Telecommute?
Portion of Workforce
Yes, every day
3,460 (8%)
Yes, several days a week
8,521 (20%)
Yes, random days
12,918 (30%)
No
18,601 (43%)
Final Report Grading Rubric
Mechanics: ____/18 points
Contains at least three outside sources.
Proper formatting following the BA Style Guide including title, footnotes, works cited, appropriate use of subheads
Grammatically correct with limited spelling errors.
Language is clear and does not impede meaning
Structure: ___/12
Opening paragraph establishes the context of the report
Report flows logically through the ideas with appropriate transitions.
The body clearly lays out the main ideas of the report.
Closing summarizes the report ideas.
Content: ____/35
The report thoroughly discusses the impact of morale and motivation on productivity.
Appropriate research is cited to support how productivity and morale/motivation are linked.
The report gives specific examples of ways the company can help improve motivation based on the survey results provided and research on the subject.
At least three ideas are thoroughly laid out and supported.
A few real world examples are provided.
Includes at least one graph or chart properly integrated into the report and appropriate to the ideas presented.
