Reading: Ditch the ping-pong tables and don't try to be cool, employers told

Motivating employees is not just difficult on Blue Monday – it’s something that businesses should be thinking about all year round.

Paul Burrin, vice-president of Reading-based Sage People, believes that businesses ought to be investing time in ensuring that employees feel valued, without falling into the trap of offering easy wins.  

Burrin said: “Motivating employees is important all year round – not just in January.

“All the 'cool' companies may have ping-pong tables or team outings, but according to our research on ‘Why your workforce isn’t working’, just 5% of employees say they value these types of benefits.

“In fact, at this time of year, companies can fall into the trap of offering easy wins, yet 95% of workers we spoke to said instead, a great workforce experience is what truly makes them productive. That means ditching the yoga classes and ping-pong tables, and instead looking at the things that really matter: recognising and valuing colleagues, trusting them to work in the way that’s best for them, and personalising experiences for your workforce.

“HR and company leadership can counteract the January blues and set the tone for a productive 2019 with the right strategy in place – provided they don’t fall into the habit of common misconceptions about how to best encourage productivity in the workplace. 

“Ultimately, employees don’t value gimmicks as much as their employers think. Instead of springing for a new ping pong table, businesses ought to invest time in ensuring employees feel valued and recognised for their hard work.”