How to improve employee engagement

Businesses ultimately live and die by the quality of their workforce. An engaged workforce will lead to a strong company culture, low turnover and fantastic results, while a disengaged workforce can easily lead to the exact opposite. In this guide, we will explore the importance of employee engagement, how to assess and measure it, and strategies for improving it.

Why Does Employee Engagement Matter?

Employee engagement is more than just a buzzword – it has a real impact on the success of a business. When employees are engaged, they are more motivated, productive, and committed to their work. This leads to a range of benefits for the organization, including:

• Increased productivity: Engaged employees are more likely to go above and beyond in their work, resulting in higher productivity and better business outcomes.
• Improved retention: Engaged employees are less likely to leave their jobs, which can save a company money and resources on recruitment and training.
• Enhanced customer satisfaction: When employees are engaged, they are more likely to provide better customer service, leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Better financial performance: Companies with high levels of employee engagement tend to have better financial performance, as engaged employees contribute to increased productivity and profitability.

To put it even more simply, employee engagement matters because it has a direct impact on the success and competitiveness of a business. By prioritizing engagement and creating a positive work environment, businesses can drive better outcomes and create a sustainable competitive advantage.

Engaged Workers vs Disengaged Workers

Many employers find it difficult to accurately assess just how much of a difference an engaged worker can have for their business over a disengaged worker. This table should provide clarity on this issue:
 

 
What's the Difference Between Employee Engagement and the Employee Experience?

Employee engagement and the employee experience are related, but ultimately distinct concepts. Employee engagement refers to the level of commitment, motivation, and connection that employees feel towards their work and their organization. It is a measure of how invested an employee is in their work and how likely they are to go above and beyond in their role.
 
On the other hand, the employee experience refers to the overall experience of being an employee at a company, including factors such as the work environment, culture, leadership, and development opportunities. It encompasses all aspects of an employee's time with a company, from the onboarding process to their daily work tasks to their interactions with colleagues and leadership.
 
While employee engagement is an important part of the employee experience, it is just one aspect of it. Other factors, such as work-life balance, growth and development opportunities, and the overall work culture, can also impact the employee experience.
 
In short, employee engagement is a measure of an employee's connection to their work and their organization, while the employee experience is a broader concept that encompasses all aspects of an employee's time with a company. Both are important for the success and satisfaction of employees, and businesses should strive to optimize both to create a positive and supportive work environment.

Whose job is it to worry about employee engagement?

Management plays a particularly important role in shaping the level of employee engagement within an organization. Leaders set the tone for the company culture and can inspire and motivate employees through their actions and words. They should be open to feedback and ideas, and be willing to listen and address the concerns of their team members.
 
In addition to management, it is important for all employees to take ownership of their own engagement and be proactive in finding ways to stay motivated and connected to their work. This might involve setting personal goals, seeking out new challenges and learning opportunities, and actively participating in company culture and events.
 
Ultimately, employee engagement is a shared responsibility and requires the involvement and commitment of all team members. By working together and creating a positive and supportive work environment, businesses can improve employee engagement and drive better outcomes for all.

Assessing Employee Engagement

Measuring your current employee engagement level is perhaps the most important early step in improving it. There are a number of ways to assess employee engagement, including surveys, focus groups, and one-on-one conversations with employees.
 
Common employee engagement survey questions might include:

• How motivated are you to perform your job well?
• How invested are you in the success of the company?
• How well do you understand the goals and objectives of the company?
• Do you feel that your work is meaningful and impactful?
• How well do you feel your skills and talents are utilized in your role?
• Do you feel that you have the support and resources you need to be successful in your job?
• Do you feel that your contributions are recognized and appreciated?
• Do you feel that there are opportunities for growth and development in your current role or within the company?
• How satisfied are you with the work environment and company culture?
• Do you feel that your work-life balance is manageable and supportive of your overall well-being?

It’s important to provide a range of possible answers such as a scale from 1-5 to ensure you get the most accurate answers.
 
Interpreting the results of an employee engagement survey can be challenging, as it is important to consider the specific needs and concerns of each individual team or department. It may be helpful to compare the results to industry benchmarks, or to track employee engagement strategies over time to see if they are having a positive impact.
 
While surveys are a fantastic tool to measure employee engagement, there are some other methods you can try too.
 

1. One-on-one conversations: Meeting with employees individually can provide an opportunity to get a more in-depth understanding of their engagement levels and any areas for improvement.
2. Focus groups: Gathering employees together in a focus group setting can provide a forum for discussion and feedback on engagement issues.
3. Employee task forces: Creating task forces or committees that focus on employee engagement can provide a structured way for employees to provide input and employee engagement ideas. 
4. Observations: Observing employees in their work environment can provide insight into engagement levels, including things like body language, work quality, and interactions with colleagues.
5. Metrics: Tracking metrics such as retention rates, productivity levels, and customer satisfaction scores can provide an indication of overall engagement levels within the organization.
6. Exit interviews: Asking departing employees about their experience and engagement levels while with the company can provide valuable insights into areas for improvement. One way to do this is through employee exit surveys.

Improving Employee Engagement:

There are a number of strategies that businesses can use to improve employee engagement. These include:

1. Communication: Effective communication is essential for employee engagement. This includes regular check-ins with team members, transparent communication from leadership, and a willingness to listen to and address employee concerns. Communication can be improved through the use of tools like employee surveys, focus groups, and suggestion boxes. The impact of improved communication can be measured through increased employee participation in company events and decision-making processes, as well as higher scores on engagement surveys related to communication.
2. Culture and work environment: A positive work culture and environment can go a long way in improving team engagement. This includes creating a sense of community and inclusivity, promoting work-life balance, and fostering a culture of trust and respect. The impact of a positive work culture can be measured through employee surveys, focus groups, and retention rates.
3. Growth and development opportunities: Providing opportunities for training, development, and career advancement can help employees feel more invested in their work and their organization. The impact of these opportunities can be measured through employee feedback and the success of employees who have participated in training employee engagement programs.
4. Recognition and appreciation: Recognizing and appreciating the contributions of employees can help to improve their engagement and motivation. This can include formal recognition programs, as well as more informal gestures of appreciation. The impact of recognition and appreciation can be measured through employee surveys and retention rates.
5. Work-life balance: Ensuring that employees have a healthy work-life balance is essential for maintaining healthy people engagement. This might include offering flexible work arrangements, promoting the importance of taking breaks and vacations, and providing resources for stress management. The impact of work-life balance can be measured through employee satisfaction surveys and absenteeism rates.
6. Collaborative decision-making: Involving employees in decision-making processes can help to improve their engagement and ownership of their work. This can be achieved through tools like suggestion boxes, town hall meetings, and employee committees. The impact of collaborative decision-making can be measured through employee feedback and the success of initiatives that were the result of employee input.
7. Feedback and performance management: Providing regular, constructive feedback and a clear performance management process can help to improve employee engagement by giving employees a sense of direction and support. The impact of effective feedback and performance management can be measured through employee satisfaction surveys and improved performance metrics.
8. Health and wellness programs: Offering wellness programs and resources can help to improve employee engagement by promoting physical and mental well-being. This might include offering gym memberships, mental health resources, and healthy eating options. The impact of wellness programs can be measured through employee participation rates and improved health metrics such as absenteeism and healthcare costs.
9. Flexible work arrangements: Offering flexible work arrangements, such as remote work or flexible scheduling, can help to improve employee engagement by allowing employees to have more control over their work environment and schedule. The impact of flexible work arrangements can be measured through employee satisfaction surveys and retention rates.
10. Employee involvement and empowerment: Empowering employees and giving them a voice in the decision-making process can help to improve workforce engagement and ownership of their work. This can be achieved through tools like employee committees, suggestion boxes, and leadership development programs. The impact of employee empowerment can be measured through employee feedback and the success of initiatives that were the result of employee input.

 How to Measure the Success of an Employee Engagement Program?

Any decent program is worthless without the means to measure how effective it is and employee engagement programs are no different. Some key steps to consider include:

1. Define success: Before implementing any engagement initiatives, it is important to define what success looks like for your organization. This might include specific metrics such as retention rates, productivity levels, or customer satisfaction scores. Having clear goals in place will help to guide your engagement efforts and measure their effectiveness.
2. Assess the current state of employee engagement: To effectively improve employee engagement, it is important to understand the current level of engagement within your organization. This can be done through employee surveys, focus groups, or one-on-one conversations with employees. This will help to identify areas for improvement and guide the development of engagement strategies.
3. Monitor the Implementation of engagement strategies: Once you have a clear understanding of the current state of engagement and your goals for improvement, you can begin to implement engagement strategies. These might include things like regular check-ins with employees, providing growth and development opportunities, or implementing recognition and appreciation programs.
4. Measure and track progress: To effectively manage the success of engagement efforts, it is important to regularly measure and track progress. This can be done through employee surveys, focus groups, or through the use of metrics such as retention rates, productivity levels, or customer satisfaction scores. By tracking progress, you can identify what is working well and what areas may need further improvement.
5. Make adjustments as needed: As you implement engagement strategies and track progress, you may find that certain approaches are more effective than others. It is important to be flexible and willing to make adjustments as needed in order to optimize the success of your engagement efforts.

Why Many Employee Engagement Programs Fail?

Employee engagement programs are all the rage right now, but in most settings they fail. Here are some of the most common reasons why.

1. Lack of employee input: Many employee benefits programs are designed by management or HR without much input from the employees themselves. While they usually look great on paper, once they are implemented things often go awry. A truly good program will involve your employees from the start to ensure everyone is on the same page.
2. Lack of communication: If employees are not aware of the benefits that are available to them or how to access them, they are less likely to use them. It’s a horrible waste of time and resources to create a program that people just don’t understand or respect. Communication is therefore key in making them work.
3. Limited appeal: Some employee benefits programs may simply not be appealing to a significant portion of the workforce. For example, a day care program in an office of young, single staff just isn’t going to work.
4. Lack of convenience: If employees have to go out of their way to access or utilize benefits, they may be less likely to do so. You can’t expect employees to engage with an optional program if they feel it is unfriendly to use.

Managing Employee Engagement For The Long Term

Managing employee engagement programs over the long term requires a sustained and strategic approach. It’s not enough to think of employee engagement as a one and done task. It needs to be nurtured and continuously managed to ensure these programs bear fruits in the long run.

 Some key considerations for long-term success include:

1.  Making employee engagement a priority: Employee engagement should always be a priority for leadership and a core part of the company's culture. This means regularly communicating the importance of engagement, being open to employee feedback and ideas, and consistently taking action to address employee concerns. The moment these programs fall out of focus, your workers will realize and results will likely plummet.
2. Ensuring alignment with business goals: These programs will ultimately be limited in how effective they can be if they don’t properly align with the business’s goals. You need to find the right balance and create a real sense of synergy to both get the best out of your employees and ensure their long term engagement.
3. Involving employees in program design and implementation: It’s easy to fall into the trap of forcing policies in a top down matter, but a truly successful employee engagement strategy needs to involve your employees.This might involve gathering employee feedback through surveys or focus groups, or involving employees in the decision-making process.
4. Measuring and tracking progress: Regularly measuring and tracking the impact of engagement programs can help to identify what is working well and what areas may need improvement. You can follow some of the suggestions we provided in the earlier section on measuring progress.
5. Making adjustments as needed: As engagement programs evolve over time, it may be necessary to make adjustments in order to optimize their impact. This might involve updating program offerings or revising program goals based on feedback and data. Again, you need to treat employee engagement as a living, breathing organism and make the right changes as needed.

Summary

Improving employee engagement is a continuous process that requires ongoing effort and attention. By understanding the factors that contribute to engagement, regularly assessing and measuring it, and implementing strategies to improve it, businesses can create a positive work environment and culture that drives success. Companies that prioritize employee engagement are more likely to retain top talent, boost productivity, and improve overall performance. As such, it is essential for businesses to prioritize employee engagement as a key part of their HR strategy.