With both Gallup and Harvard Business Review publishing annual reports centered around employee engagement, there’s no denying it’s an important topic for organizations to consider. In fact, 92% of business executives believe that employees who are more engaged in the organization consistently perform higher than those who are less engaged.
The Benefits of Employee Engagement
In addition to higher performance, there are numerous benefits that can be gained through engaging your employees.
Higher Retention
Employees that are engaged with and invested in their organization are less likely to leave. Engaged employees are typically more committed to the organization and invested in not only the work that they do, but the organization’s success as a whole. Oftentimes the employees who are thoroughly engaged within their organization will see more recognition for their contributions as well as opportunities for professional growth, giving them further incentive to stay.
Increased Productivity
We’ve already mentioned that engaged employees are believed to perform better, but they are actually more productive as well. With engagement comes an increase in focus, investment, and drive leading to higher overall levels of productivity and output for your team.
Better Attendance
Studies have shown that organizations with higher employee engagement consistently see up to 41% lower absenteeism. Excess absenteeism has been directly linked to employee dissatisfaction and burnout in the workplace. Patterns of frequent absences among team members could indicate your organization is suffering from a lack of employee engagement.
5 Steps to Encourage Engagement
Now that we’ve outlined the benefits, let’s take a look at some ways your organization can revitalize and grow your employee engagement.
Start With Communication
Lack of communication or transparency can be a big driver for employee disengagement and dissatisfaction in the workplace. By opening up clear lines of communication among all levels of the organization, you can foster an environment of inclusion and participation for all employees. This can minimize confusion in regard to policies, procedures, and other organizational processes which can in turn improve morale and engagement among the team.
Improve Operational Efficiencies
Surveys have shown that inefficient processes can eat up as much as 26% of an employee’s workday. Inefficiencies are oftentimes a source of stress and frustration, and can lead to errors and miscommunication across teams. When processes are efficient and intuitive, employees will have the capacity to contribute to the organization in a more meaningful way, leading to better engagement, increased job satisfaction, and improved productivity.
Be Generous with Recognition
Recognition for a job well done fuels the motivation to continue contributing to an organization. When employees feel valued, they are not only more satisfied in their roles, but they are more likely to be more productive and engaged in the work they do. By recognizing employee contributions, you are actively promoting a culture of hard work and appreciation among the organization.
Find Ways to Interact & Build Team Morale
Finding opportunities for teams to build more personal relationships can actively improve communication and dynamics in the workplace. Happy hours, volunteer activities, and staff retreats are just a few ways organizations can incentivize employee engagement and networking in a fun, casual atmosphere. Studies have shown positive correlations between an organization’s culture and the level of their employees’ engagement.
Invest in Employee Development
Investment in your employees, whether it be through training or an outlined career path can keep your employees actively engaged within your organization. Professional development initiatives are a great way to get your team more involved in different aspects of the organization while also expanding their skill sets in ways that can benefit the company as a whole. These opportunities can add excitement, variety, and satisfaction in their day-to-day roles while presenting more avenues for engagement.
While it may vary by company and industry, there are a multitude of ways to improve employee engagement across your organization. Regardless of the size of your business, it’s clear that your level of employee engagement is vital to your overall business success. With the right foundation in place, you can begin moving your organization into a more engaged, productive workplace.