Why is it Important to Improve Employee Engagement at The Workplace

July 15, 2024

improve Employee Engagement for Workplace Success

Companies with a highly engaged workforce are 21% more profitable; Says a publication by Haiilo – 10 employee engagement statistics you need to know in 2024. Did we just begin with a quote? Yes we did because in this blog we are going to look into how effective employee engagement can be, why it is important and how companies can ensure this to improve employee engagement – PeopleNorth for the why’s and how’s, as always. Research and studies state that companies with high employee engagement rates are more profitable. It is also well documented that spaces for more learning and development opportunities in an organisation make employees feel more engaged and involved. Keep reading further to understand why it is important to improve employee engagement at the workplace and its benefits.

7 Reasons Why Employee Engagement Is Important and Beneficial

Based on a study conducted by Gallup, around 80% of employees are actively disengaged (major portion of the global workforce) which further leads to higher turnover rates, decreased employee satisfaction and at long last, reduced profitability. Fortunately, you can make this better. Let’s first begin with understanding what the benefits are if companies actively try to improve employee engagement.

Augmented Business Growth

Employee. Engagement. Enhancement. The three E’s that cater to organisational growth. You must be wondering ‘how?’. If employees are satisfied and committed to working towards completing their tasks efficiently, it instinctively leads to organisational betterment and business growth. Collective efforts for collective growth is the way to go to improve employee engagement..

Mitigating Employee Absenteeism

Aren’t we all people who would want to engage in things that make us happy and productive? When work sounds like that, employees make sure to be present. Any job can be mentally taxing and daunting, however, if people enjoy doing their work, are committed to it, if there’s a sense of reward and if they are treated fairly – absenteeism can be avoided.

Increased Productivity

Employee engagement, retention and commitment can potentially be considered as scales of measurement to understand how the work environment and overall organisational atmosphere is like. When employees are actively involved in organisational tasks and activities and are given the space to communicate; they become more productive and enthusiastic to work towards personal, professional and organisational growth.

Healthier and Happier Employees

Everyone functions better when there is a sense of purpose and meaning from something. Job satisfaction and fair treatment assure employees that returning to work is meaningful, and health extends beyond just physical well-being. A healthy work environment encourages employees to work productively and when they feel that their employer is seeing their efforts and they are being heard, your organisation has happy employees. This is a very holistic concept, to improve employee engagement.

Ensuring Employee Safety

People, as a collective, want and need to feel safe. It ensures that this can promote healthy emotional well – being. Now, how can you ensure employee safety?

  • Reinforcing policies, laws and regulations. Especially with regard to inclusivity and equality in the workplace
  • Establishing and emphasising accountability
  • Providing employees with the required resources that makes work more effective
  • Incorporating best practices and keeping an open door policy for questions and concerns
  • Implementing and establishing the importance of the POSH policy

Enhanced Customer Service and Satisfaction

Ownership and Accountability. Employees think seriously about these factors and they put in the effort to contribute towards the growth of the organisation and they also ensure that customers are happy. An employee gives their 100% when they are involved, engaged and appreciated at work. They would genuinely make sure to work towards assuring that all customers are satisfied. Which, as aforementioned, leads to the company thriving and developing.

More Initiative, Commitment and Loyalty

When employees know and sense that their efforts are being seen, their work is being appreciated and the work environment is pleasant, they make active and informed decisions to put their efforts into committing more and taking initiative. They stay loyal and dedicated to their work and every other day will be an attempt to assist the company towards growth and development.

Now that we have talked about the benefits, how about we look at 6 ways to improve employee engagement in your organisation? Read further to know more.

Ways To Improve Employee Engagement

Now that we have established the benefits of enhancing employee engagement, let’s take a look at the best practices that can be integrated to make informed decisions that contribute to a better work environment and improved employee engagement. 

Addressing Diversity and Inclusivity

Employee engagement and valuing workforce transcends across equality, diversity and inclusivity. Strategically marginalised communities are to be equally and fairly treated and it must also be ensured that they have equitable access to resources. Most organisations use representation and diversity hiring as mere gimmicks to get by with the facades of social responsibility. However, inclusivity must be an informed action that comes from a place of believing that people have to receive what is rightfully theirs. A company that cares about diversity and inclusivity genuinely, sets an example for other organisations to do the same and not indulge is performative activism.

Encouraging Communication

Communication and Conversations must be a two – way approach in an organisation. This can be both formal and informal. Communication amongst employees can help them connect better and can make work seem more interesting and interactive. Necessary resources must be kept in place to reduce friction, if any, between employees. Companies must actively seek employee feedback and highlight the value of their opinions to drive improvement and reflection within the organization.

Ascertain Engagement Frequently

You must be wondering how one can measure something that is not tangible? The answer, you can measure and it is not all that intangible either. Here’s how:

  • Conducting short surveys
  • One – on – one meetings with employees
  • Evaluating employee turnover rates
  • Conducting exit interviews when employees leave
  • Encouraging feedback and understanding areas that require improvement

Establish Learning Opportunities

According to Wellable, in an online publication – 80% of employees say learning and development opportunities would help them feel more engaged on the job. Sustained engagement and the consequent satisfaction is maintained when employees are given the space and opportunity to learn new things and develop skills. This gives them a sense of accomplishment and purpose that in turn gives them a feeling of being capable and resourceful.

Encouraging Community Building

Employee experiences in an organization are a crucial factor to consider when evaluating your company’s growth. Encourage employees to communicate with each other and form connections. A work – buddy or buddies can make coming to work a less tedious task. This also helps employees find balance in work and life and also form healthy work relationships with their co – workers.

Prioritise Mental Health and Physical Health

Stress and Productivity are co-related. Increased stress can lead to mental and physical difficulties which further leads to employees being unproductive. Addressing mental health, emphasising the importance of taking breaks, offering the space to take mental health days off, being able to take rest days, creating a space where employees feel seen and heard are all important aspects of ensuring employee safety and satisfaction.

Conclusion

The growth of your organisation must be a holistic concept and must not be limited to focussing on what it seems on the outside. Within the company, if employees are not happy, if they are not being heard or seen and if their efforts are not being appreciated or acknowledged, the entire structure and framework could go wrong. Your workforce is an asset and is to be valued. Taking up measures to invest in employee engagement, satisfaction and happiness is an investment that is worth it. This fosters personal development for all personnel and also caters to the growth of your company. Keep an eye out for this space for more insights on how you can grow as an organisation and best practices you can incorporate for better work environments.

Get in touch with our seasoned talent acquisition experts at PeopleNorth to avail advanced recruitment services and solutions.

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