Simple Ways to Boost Employee Engagement
Many a report finds that the majority of workers are either not engaged, or even actively disengaged, at their place of work. Creating an engaged workplace goes a long way to creating higher profitability, reduced turnover, and increased customer ratings.
So how can we address employee engagement? There’s definitely no shortage of consultants, software and wellness programs out there, but the truth is, some of the most effective ways to boost employee engagement are the simplest and most cost effective.
Here are 10 simple ways to boost your employee engagement right now.
- Begin at the Top
You need to walk the walk. Employees should see their leaders demonstrating the behaviours and characteristics they are asked to display.
- Be Transparent
Management transparency has a direct effect on employee happiness. By trusting employees with sensitive information, for instance, gives them a sense of deeper investment in the business and can help to create a more cooperative team.
- Offer Visibility
This can manifest in several ways. Managers need to be accessible and visible around the office. That way, employees see them as approachable. Secondly, employees should be publicly recognized for their efforts. This motivates each and every individual to continue doing good work. Offer small rewards and sales incentives for your achieving employees.
- Remember to Say “Thank You”
It’s a really simple thing to say, but all-too-often it’s overlooked, particularly in larger businesses. Acknowledgement by management and even amongst peers is one of the quickest ways to build up trust, help restore strained relationships and even energize your workplace.
- Be Real
Companies comprise people, not machines, property, or products. Creating genuine relationships between employees and management will inspire trust and help build camaraderie.
- Flexibility
Why not give your staff the freedom of adjusting their work schedules or where they work from to suit their needs better? A lot of employers tend to not trust employees to get work done if they’re working from home or a coffee shop, in their own hours, but workers with flexible conditions tend to be happier, more engaged, and more productive.
- Hire Behaviours and Traits
Education and experience won’t guarantee performance. Even the most skilled of candidates will fail if they have a poor attitude. Some people also struggle to be engaged. Place emphasis on hiring and promoting the right personality traits and behaviours for your company’s culture. You may also like to offer skills training.
- Engage From The Very Beginning
Filling our mounds of paperwork and sitting through boring presentations on your first work day is a sure-fire way to kill workplace engagement. New employees tend to start with curiosity and enthusiasm, so be sure to capitalise on that by putting them straight to work and helping them get to know their colleagues.
- Volunteer Together
Companies that support causes close to their hearts and involve employees and management tend to see a direct increased in staff engagement as well as productivity. Working together to help others shows the business isn’t all about making business, but about making a true difference.
- Play Together
Having fun together will break up routine and encourage collaboration and creativity. Try sponsoring a company baseball game or host a “dress up” day where employees can wear a crazy hair colour or funky sweater. Make sure management gets in on the action, too.
The key to building effective employee engagement is, well, there is no secret. If you want to know what kinds of things help employees feel more engaged, simply ask them. You may be surprised at how simple the solution really is.
The golden rule is to treat people the way you want to be treated. Mutual respect, compassion, flexibility, and kindness don’t have to cost a thing.
