Employees are the backbone of any successful business, and their engagement is the key to unlocking your company’s full potential.
More than just job satisfaction, employee engagement is about employees feeling valued, involved, and connected to their work and workplace. Engaged employees are not just satisfied with their jobs; they are enthusiastic, motivated and committed.
To cultivate a workforce that goes the extra mile, shares their best ideas and remains committed to your organization over the long term, it’s essential to understand the factors influencing employee engagement today. Let’s delve into these critical elements, then cover some key ways you can increase engagement at your company.
Employee Engagement in Today’s Workforce
Hybrid Work
The ongoing tug-of-war between remote work and returning to the office persists. While the majority of remote workers prefer to continue working remotely and recommend it to others, 90% of companies are planning some form of return to the office. These conflicting expectations could create employee engagement challenges. To address this, consider actively involving employees in decision-making regarding workdays spent in the office.
The Big Stay
The era of the “Great Resignation” is now behind us, and quit rates are on the decline. Employees are demonstrating increased commitment to their current roles, positioning themselves for long-term, career-oriented positions. Workers are more loyal to organizations that resonate with their values and needs, so now is a great time to focus on employee engagement and capitalize on this trend of improved retention.
Desire for Personalization
Employee experience matters, and today’s employees crave personalized experiences that align with their individual aspirations and values. Tailoring development plans to unique skills, interests and career goals fosters engagement. Personalized recognition, whether through recognition programs or specific feedback, reinforces commitment.
5 Employee Engagement Strategies
What are some action items you can tackle right now to start seeing tangible improvement in your employee engagement? How can you hit the ground running addressing this essential aspect of your business? Let’s go over some steps you can take to jump-start your employee engagement plan.
It’s important to keep in mind that employee engagement is a journey. It takes time and sustained effort for a culture of engagement to manifest within your processes and your people. But while it is impossible to flip an engagement switch, these ideas will get you started on the right path.
1. Start with a Survey
Before developing a strategy for change, it’s crucial to know where you stand. The best way to do this is by listening to what your employees have to say. Every workforce has a unique makeup, and every employee has different experiences and expectations to share. In order to take meaningful action on what matters to your people, take the time to gather their feedback.
Conducting an employee engagement survey will allow you to:
- Let employees know they have a voice
- Flag problem areas to focus your efforts
- Find out what motivates them to go above and beyond
- Establish a baseline to measure success
2. Provide Development Opportunities
An investment in employee growth and development is an investment in your long-term success. According to the LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report, 7 in 10 workers say that learning improves their sense of connection to the organization and 8 in 10 say that learning adds purpose to their work.
Offer clear career paths, training programs and opportunities for skill enhancement. Regular training programs enhance employees’ skills, keep them updated and boost confidence. Well-trained employees are more effective in their roles. Encourage employees to acquire new skills and broaden their expertise. This not only benefits the individual but also contributes to organizational agility.
When employees see a future within the organization, they are motivated to stay engaged and contribute to their personal and professional growth.
3. Set up a Recognition Program
Recognition programs provide an excellent way to meet your employees’ need for personalized acknowledgment. By recognizing and appreciating their efforts, whether through formal awards, shout-outs in team meetings, or an incentive program, you can boost morale and reinforce positive behavior.
A rewards platform is a great way to celebrate achievements and milestones. Here’s how it works:
- Set up a company shop with a custom ecommerce site.
- Reward employees with points or dollars they can spend in the shop.
- Employees can choose their own rewards — everything from branded apparel to camping supplies.
- Strengthen your employee engagement and your brand!
4. Provide Clear Job Expectations
The most fundamental engagement element for employees is knowing what is expected of them, and yet job clarity has seen an acute decline since 2020. Transparently communicate what is expected of employees in their roles. Clearly define responsibilities, goals and performance metrics. Communicate your company’s mission and values so your employees know what they are working toward. When employees understand their job expectations, they can focus on achieving them effectively.
Consider implementing an internal communication plan to empower employees with essential knowledge about the company and their role within it. When employees feel empowered, they thrive.
5. Prioritize Workplace Well-being
A healthy work environment positively impacts engagement. Be sure to consider and address each factor that contributes to workplace well-being:
- Physical health: Encourage regular breaks, ergonomic workstations and wellness programs. Promote exercise, healthy eating and stress management.
- Mental health: Foster a supportive atmosphere where employees feel comfortable discussing mental health. Offer resources like counseling services or mindfulness programs.
- Work-life balance: Ensure reasonable work hours and discourage burnout. Encourage employees to disconnect after work and recharge.
- Social connections: Facilitate team-building activities, social events and opportunities for colleagues to connect beyond work tasks.
Experience the Proven Benefits of Increased Employee Engagement
A successful employee engagement campaign will have a dramatic impact on your business — directly affecting productivity, recruitment and retention, growth potential, and your bottom line. By implementing these ideas, you’ll be well on your way to creating a culture of engaged employees.
For expert guidance to ensure your strategy succeeds, contact the employee engagement specialists at GO2 Partners. We’ll work with you every step of the way to inform, engage and empower your employees.
