If you are wondering What employee engagement is? You’re not alone. Some organizations believe they have exhausted this performance lever because engagement scores have plateaued and declined. Others report high concentration but are still concerned about the business’s bottom line. No matter your organization’s culture, there is likely a way to improve employee engagement. If you aren’t doing it, you may miss an opportunity to enhance your results and retain your best workers. You can also learn more at Qualtrics.com.
Employee engagement is more than a paycheck.
Engaged employees feel a sense of purpose in their work and see themselves as a valued and essential part of the company. This is crucial because, without engaged employees, a company’s productivity will plummet, making it easier for competitors to recruit suitable candidates. The best managers know their employees well and give them opportunities to apply their strengths. They also understand what makes each team member happy and can position themselves to maximize their engagement. Employee engagement is measured on four levels: organizational, team, individual, and personal.
To measure employee engagement, managers must use tools and methods that can help them improve their company’s culture. For example, several surveys have been designed to test employee engagement. Such a survey aims to understand how employees feel about their workplace and its leadership. This way, managers can create strategies to engage employees and manage a high-performing workforce. However, these surveys mustn’t be one-time events or polls that do not provide any meaningful insight.
It is based on trust, integrity, two-way commitment, and communication.
The basic building blocks of employee engagement are trust, integrity, two-way commitment, and communication. Engaged employees are proud of their job and the company. They are motivated to work hard, put their best effort into their work, and are likelier to talk positively about their employer to their friends. They are inspired by the challenges and tasks assigned and find working in the organization exciting and energizing. They stay with a job until it is complete.
To achieve this goal, employee engagement must align with the business strategy. If employee engagement efforts are unrelated to the organization’s overall strategy, they will only waste time and resources. To create a high-performing employee engagement program, ensure the strategy is well planned and aligned with the company’s objectives. The HR function plays a critical role in planning and defining the process.
It enhances a sense of professional and personal growth.
Employee engagement is the level of commitment an employee has to their work. Highly engaged employees are less likely to leave a company, reduce attrition, and increase retention. According to a Glint study of 75 companies from 15 industries, disengaged employees are five times as likely to leave within six months than highly engaged employees. Moreover, those who scored poorly on engagement were almost 12 times more likely to leave within the next six or twelve months. The study also found that emotional investment was predictive of future outcomes. Employees who feel emotionally connected to their work will likely stay longer, preserving valuable institutional knowledge.
Developing employees’ skills can help a company grow. For instance, if an employee is not a good swimmer, she may never learn to climb trees. If employees didn’t develop their skills, it would be pointless to encourage them to improve. However, studies show that employees are more likely to be engaged when their managers focus on their strengths. Moreover, employees are more likely to have higher productivity when they have opportunities to develop their skills.
It improves business results.
Engaged employees are willing to go the extra mile and do their best work for a company. This increases productivity in the workplace, and research has shown that companies with high employee engagement are 21% more profitable. Other benefits of employee engagement include increased morale, reduced absenteeism, and improved customer service. The key to employee engagement is identifying what motivates employees and implementing strategies to increase their satisfaction.
Encourage work-life balance. Engaged employees feel competent and needed by the company. This keeps their energy levels and a sense of purpose in their work. Make sure your employees have a healthy work-life balance. For example, don’t call them on weekends or vacations, and don’t be on call at all times if you work from home. Respecting employees’ space and time will lead to better engagement. When you give them the space they need, they’ll be more satisfied with their work.
