In the face of concerns over quiet resignations, the complexities of hybrid working, and ongoing debates about the return to the office, the significance of employee engagement has reached new heights. As HR leaders, the challenge lies in discovering creative and cost-effective methods to enhance engagement without breaking the bank.
Employee engagement serves as a metric for gauging the emotional and mental connection employees have with their work, their organization, and its objectives. Engaged employees bring enthusiasm to their tasks, exhibit a commitment to their employer, and are motivated to deliver their best efforts. This positive cycle leads to heightened productivity, increased job satisfaction, and a reduction in staff turnover and absenteeism.
While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to ensure a motivated workforce, there are fundamental approaches that can be implemented without incurring significant costs. Here are three top tips:
- Connect to Purpose
Inspired by Simon Sinek’s renowned Ted Talk, ‘Start with Why,’ it’s crucial to recognize that people don’t just buy into what a company does; they buy into why it does it. Articulating the purpose of the company from the top down is essential, with CEOs and executive teams consistently emphasizing the company’s impact on people’s lives. This goes beyond financial metrics and delves into the company’s founding principles, the problems it aimed to solve, and the current impact it strives to make.
In addition to fostering individual connections to the company’s purpose, it is beneficial for each team to clarify its unique purpose.
A simple 30-minute session with teams can help them clarify and articulate their purpose by completing a simple MadLib:
We …….(what we do) for …..(who our customers are – whether internal or external) ….. So that…….(the impact we want to make).
- A Culture of Appreciation
Recognition and reward form integral components of employee engagement. Instead of focusing solely on significant achievements or implementing programs like ’employee of the month,’ instil a culture of appreciation in your teams. Introduce initiatives like ‘WOW Wednesdays’ or ‘Thankful Thursdays,’ encouraging everyone to express gratitude towards their colleagues regularly. This creates a ripple effect of recognition throughout the organization, valuing and appreciating the small contributions individuals make. - Promote a Healthy Work-Life Balance
The shift to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the pressure on employees to be constantly available. HR leaders can play a pivotal role in educating managers about the importance of a healthy work-life balance. Implementing a mandatory ‘radio silence’ period between 6 pm and 8 am can provide employees with the space to disengage from work-related communication and focus on personal pursuits.
Additionally, sharing free resources and apps, such as Insight Timer for meditation and YouTube for mindfulness practices, promotes overall employee wellness.
By implementing these strategies, HR leaders can lay the foundation for improved employee engagement, mitigating the risk of quiet resignations, absenteeism, and turnover. Once these fundamentals are mastered, attention can be directed towards addressing broader challenges like learning and development, career advancement, and communication.
Were you looking for HR advice or a second opinion?
Use the link below or scan the QR code to get in touch, book a FREE 30-minute consultation with Helen our HR Guru, and more!
