Employee engagement
What is employee engagement?
Employee engagement is a key aspect of workforce management that indicates the level of commitment, involvement, motivation, and emotional connection employees have to their work and overall business goals. Highly engaged employees go beyond just completing their tasks; they develop a sense of belonging without expecting rewards such as raises or promotions.
What is the core purpose of employee engagement?
Here are the top reasons why employee engagement is key to business success:
Improves productivity
Engaged employees tend to be incredibly productive since their commitment helps them better understand their roles, invest themselves, and do their best work.
Reduces turnover
Engaged employees tend to be very loyal and show up to work every day. They are very likely to shift roles or look for a new opening within their company. This goes a long way toward reducing employee turnover.
Lowers the chances of stress and burnout
Engaged employees tend to be motivated all the time and get a greater sense of satisfaction while working. This sense of fulfillment helps them combat stress and burnout at work.
Enhances employer brand
Engaged employees tend to speak highly about their organization, stay longer, and work to deliver exceptional customer experiences, all of which will directly boost employer reputation and branding initiatives.
What is the role of HR in keeping employees engaged?
HR teams are solely responsible for designing and implementing employee engagement strategies across an employee's entire employment lifecycle, from onboarding and performance management to training and exit management. While HR teams drive these initiatives, the leadership team and managers are expected to champion employee engagement strategies since how they communicate and manage their employees plays a key role in how engaged they feel.
What are some of the key drivers of employee engagement?
Key drivers of employee engagement include:
Communication:
Establish clear and accessible communication channels, encourage an open door policy, and maintain transparency about business operations.
Supportive leadership:
Empower employees to work independently, show genuine care, understand individual needs, and model organizational values.
Meaningful work:
Provide employees with purposeful roles that align with their values and contribute to larger organizational goals.
Feedback:
Create a culture of continuous feedback where employees can share their opinions, feel heard, and receive guidance.
Recognition:
Acknowledge employees’ contributions regularly and celebrate even small wins to reinforce a sense of value and belonging
Career growth:
Offer consistent learning and advancement opportunities to help employees excel in their roles and achieve long-term career aspirations.
Work environment:
Foster a positive workplace culture that emphasizes diversity, inclusion, collaboration, and strong organizational values.
Work-life balance:
Implement flexible policies and initiatives that support employees in balancing professional responsibilities with personal well-being.
What are the signs of employee disengagement?
Disengaged employees:
- Lack creativity and innovation
- Take leave often
- Demonstrate lower productivity levels
- Don't collaborate with their peers often
- Spread rumors and negativity
What is an employee engagement survey?
Employee engagement surveys are often run by HR teams to assess workforce engagement levels in different areas, including career growth, manager support, and feedback exchanges. The results from the survey are used to understand employee pulse and identify what employees like and what needs improvement.