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.
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:
To put it even more simply, employee engagement matters because it directly impacts a business's success and competitiveness. By prioritizing engagement and creating a positive work environment, businesses can drive better outcomes and create a sustainable competitive advantage.
Many employers find it difficult to accurately assess just how much of a difference an engaged worker can have on their business over a disengaged worker.
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Engaged workers |
Disengaged workers |
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Highly motivated and committed to their work |
Lack motivation and commitment to their work |
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Efficient and productive in their role |
Less productive and may require more supervision |
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Regular attendance and low absenteeism |
Higher absenteeism and may call out sick more frequently |
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Produce high-quality work that meets or exceeds expectations |
Produce lower-quality work that may not meet expectations |
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Positive attitude towards their work and the organization |
Negative attitude towards their work and the organization |
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Adaptable to change and open to new ideas |
Resistant to change and less likely to embrace new ideas |
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Loyal to the organization and invested in its success |
May consider leaving their job or less invested in the success of the company |
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Engage in continuous learning and development |
May not prioritize learning and development |
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Actively participate in company events and culture |
May be less involved in company events and culture |
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Willing to go above and beyond in their role |
Less likely to go above and beyond in their role |
Employee engagement and 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’s 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 onboarding to daily work tasks to interactions with colleagues and leadership.
While employee engagement is an important part of the employee experience, it’s 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.
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.
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:
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’s 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.
There are a number of strategies that businesses can use to improve employee engagement. These include:
Any decent program is worthless without the means to measure how effective it is, and employee engagement programs are no different.
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.
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’s essential for businesses to prioritize employee engagement as a key part of their HR strategy.
Workstream can help you create an applicant and employee experience that attracts loyal workers and helps you keep them engaged for the long haul. Learn how our HR, Payroll, and Hiring platform enables you to survey employees regularly via text and automates tedious HR tasks so you can spend more time creating a positive work environment.