Yep, been there. People were so unhappy they were literally walking out without another job. The previous manager almost destroyed the place.

I found improving morale was relatively simple. I helped each one in every way possible. When I couldn’t help them, I worked hard at everything else. I spoke only in positive terms.

I respectfully told employees who were venting in the office to take it outside. Just bringing normality to the office seemed to help quite a bit.