The average call center turnover rate is between 26% and 51% annually, which is hardly a surprise considering the daily challenges each call center employee faces as a necessary part of the job. While handling a call with a customer might be unavoidably stressful, the employee experience outside of calls does not have to be. Maintaining a positive, interactive work environment plays a large part in convincing employees that it is worth it to keep their jobs, and in keeping up morale, which in turn helps employees maintain a positive attitude when assisting customers. While there are obvious ways to make the workplace cheerful, like coffee in the break room and doughnut Thursdays, there are other, more interactive ways a manager can promote positivity among his or her employees.

Employee Appreciation -

While this is not the most innovative idea, making sure that employees know they are appreciated at least once a month can keep them from feeling as though they come to work and leave without the managers noticing their good work. Although it is an option to have an Employee of the Month, a single award can occasionally lead to animosity among workers striving for the only spot. Recognizing multiple employees for specific things they do well can make your employee feel valued for his or her personal contribution to the call center, and encourage others to also strive for excellence.

Casual Days and Company Shirts -

Bulk screen printing shirts with the company logo on them can not only give your employee something to wear on casual workdays, but also promotes the company when worn outside of the workplace. Many companies have casual workdays that allow employees to wear jeans or perhaps t-shirts of a certain kind. Take it a bit further by giving your employees a shirt specifically for the company and implementing an optional work t-shirt day. This not only allows for another casual day at the work, but also works as relatively free advertising when your employees wear their free shirts outside of the office.

Incentives for Going Above and Beyond the Call of Duty -

Much like having t-shirts bearing your company’s logo, there are options for printed pens, tumblers, and hats, among other things, that can be used for advertising and as incentives for particularly hard work. Create a point system for positive reviews from callers, giving extra effort to make a customer happy, etc., and allow your employees to turn in their points for products bearing the company logo and name. Of course, not every employee is going to want a company pen, so you could also add in other prizes such as gift cards, and other small trophies. Not every employee may want to participate, but those that choose to take part will work harder and more consistently with a physical prize in sight.

As a manager, it is always difficult to balance taking care of your employees and taking care of your customers, but a happy employee is a hard working employee who will, in turn, make the customers happy. By focusing efforts on maintaining a positive, interactive work environment, you can excite your employees for work and make it something to look forward to.