TNQ Morale Committee organizes a Breast Cancer Awareness Month celebration each year. It’s one of many events the group puts on to raise spirits and work productivity.

Fighting the “Sunday Scaries”

The Monday Blues. The Sunday Scaries. Many workers dread the start of a new workweek. At Tennessee Quadel’s office at the Memphis Housing Authority, this “family” rarely experiences the Monday Blues. This is due in part to the Morale Committee – a group of TNQ staff members dedicated to encouraging their peers and creating a positive work environment staff look forward to being a part of each week.

Many of the group’s events take place on a Monday.

“I think a lot of us dread Mondays and so we try to plan things around Mondays to help motivate people to come on into work and join the family,” TNQ Housing Specialist, Nikita Braden said. “I’ve noticed doing things on Mondays and Wednesdays has really helped all of us get through the week. Fridays are easy. Mondays can be hard.”

Uniting Staff and Creating Community

The Morale Committee was established nearly six years ago after several staff members noticed there was a lack of communication and connection. Before its creation, staff members dealt with problems independently rather than using each other as resources.

Now, Committee members meet twice a month to plan for events and receive feedback from staff members regarding events at weekly staff meetings. TNQ is currently celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a big focus for the staff each October. The “family” wears pink every Wednesday and ends the month with a big celebration with food and balloons.

“Since we’ve been doing the Morale Committee, it’s brought everyone closer in the office. It’s like a big happy family because we are together more than our own families when you leave and go home in the evening,” TNQ Housing Specialist, Quan Henry, said. “And, I think it gives everyone encouragement and a sense of appreciation knowing that hard work is not going unseen.”

The Morale Committee’s mission isn’t just to lift the spirits of TNQ workers. It focuses on the Memphis community, too.  Every year, the Morale Committee organizes various food and supply drives. Staff have worked with local homeless shelters and social service organizations to provide much-needed supplies. Recently, staff competed in a contest to see how many socks each team could collect. TNQ donated over a thousand pairs of socks to the Hospitality Hub down the street.

Henry said community drives are a win-win for all.

“Memphis is our community and we want to make sure we keep our people lifted up. It’s important that we continue to help out and be a blessing to others,” Henry said. “I tell this to everyone, ‘anytime you’re in a position to help someone, do it.’ Don’t think twice about it. Just do it.”

Increasing Work Performance and Quality

TNQ’s Deputy Director, Jamaal Williams, has been with TNQ for nearly a year. He said the office culture is different from anything he’s experienced over his career, and the Morale Committee is a big part of the office’s high performance and work quality. High-quality work means high-quality affordable housing for the Memphis community.

“The Morale Committee creates an environment that is fun and engaging. The production of work and quality of work improves because people actually want to be at work because they like each other. From a management standpoint, the Committee makes it easier to get good quality work,” Williams said. “Management wants to invest in Committee events because we see the return on investment with how happy the staff is every day.”

Quadel’s managed Memphis Housing Authority’s High Performer HCV program for the past 24 years. To see how Quadel can help your HCV program, including outsourced management, request a quote today.