Staff Morale

Unsound policies and practices of management

Step 1: Morale depressants are factors that lower employee morale, while morale stimulants are factors that boost it. Step 2: Unsound policies and practices of management (like unfair promotions, favouritism, and poor communication) directly lower employee morale — this is a depressant. Step 3: Friendly and helpful supervision is a stimulant that builds morale. Step 4: Good public image of the company gives employees pride and is a morale stimulant. Step 5: Meaningful and challenging job provides satisfaction and is also a stimulant. Therefore, Option D is the correct morale depressant.

Employees directing their energy towards personal objectives unrelated to company goals

Step 1: This question tests understanding of the High Morale–Low Productivity quadrant of the Morale-Productivity Matrix. Step 2: High Morale–Low Productivity occurs when employees are happy and satisfied (high morale) but spend their time and energy on personal objectives unrelated to the company's goals. Step 3: Fear of job loss is a cause of Low Morale–High Productivity (temporary), not High Morale–Low Productivity. Step 4: Satisfied employees giving best performance leads to High Morale–High Productivity, not low productivity. Step 5: Machine-paced work is also associated with Low Morale–H

Participation

Step 1: The question describes joint councils of managers and workers — this is a key feature of one specific method of raising morale. Step 2: Under 'Participation,' employees are involved in the decision-making process through joint councils, suggestion systems, collective bargaining, and joint consultation. This creates a sense of belonging and team work. Step 3: Effective Communication focuses on two-way flow of information and grievance redressal — not joint councils. Step 4: Trusted Supervision focuses on supervisors being fair, sympathetic, and honest — not joint councils. Step 5: Human

Greater customer care and enthusiasm at work

Step 1: This question asks us to identify what does NOT indicate low morale — essentially, we are looking for an indicator of HIGH morale. Step 2: Greater customer care and enthusiasm at work is an advantage of HIGH morale, not a sign of low morale. It means employees are motivated and engaged. Step 3: High absenteeism and labour turnover are classic indicators of low morale — employees avoid work. Step 4: Excessive complaints and grievances reflect dissatisfaction, which is a sign of low morale. Step 5: Resistance to change shows employees are not cooperative, another indicator of low morale.