Employee engagement - what is it and how to achieve it

 23 Feb 2023

What is it?

Employee engagement feeds into every part of someone’s employment with the firm they are working for. It’s about far more than just retention; it affects how your employees show up for work and everything in between.

In a challenging recruitment market where talent is in such short supply, the employee experience is even more critical and it’s important to be clear on why it matters.

Let’s pick this apart a bit…

Employee engagement is a deep and personal thing. It refers to how highly someone is motivated to do their job, their level of emotional as well as practical commitment to the company they work for. It is the extent to which they feel invested in their work and are willing to go above and beyond to achieve organisational goals.

Engaged employees are passionate about their work and often display high levels of energy and enthusiasm. They are more likely to take ownership of and pride in their work.

Engaged employees tend to be more productive, collaborative and innovative which can only mean good things for their employers who then reap the rewards of improved business outcomes.

How can we improve employee engagement?

Provide meaningful work

Communicate with your employees to let them know how their work feeds into the firm’s strategic goals. Employees who understand the value of their work are more likely to be engaged with it.

Create a positive place to work

A supportive and positive work environment can foster engagement among employees. You can help create this by encouraging teamwork and collaboration, and celebrating accomplishments. A regular injection of fun wouldn’t go amiss either. Team social events can really add to that sense of belonging and promote better connection between staff members. A team that plays together, stays together perhaps…

For those who have other needs outside their control, for example, childcare or elder care considerations, your understanding and practical help to manage their requirements alongside their workload will go a long way.

Career & personal development

Create an environment where your employees have plenty of opportunities to learn and grow. This can be training on soft skills as well as pertinent technical matters. You could offer mentor programmes, coaching and the chance to work in other departments of interest, perhaps even an international exchange programme if your business has that capability.

Employees who feel they are progressing instead of stagnating are more likely to feel connected to the organisation.

Work-life balance

Burnt out employees are often too depleted to be the most productive, despite their best efforts.

Encourage your employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance and assist them by offering flexible working patterns and hybrid arrangements. Simple things like ensuring they use all their annual leave to recharge can make all the difference.

Employees who feel they have control over their work and personal lives will be happier, less stressed and more able to bring their best selves to work.

Recognise and reward good work

Recognise employees for their hard work and achievements, whether it's through a formal recognition programme or informal praise. Employees who feel appreciated will be the ones ready to step in when you have an urgent deadline to meet or need extra help on a project. Not only that, they will feel more positive about the organisation as a whole and be more likely to recommend it to their contacts as a great place to work. In a talent short market, this can be priceless.

Communication

Encourage regular, open communication and feedback between employees and management. Employees want to feel heard and valued, and if they appreciate what part they are playing in the overall success of the firm they are more likely to be committed to it.

Engagement is more than simply how satisfied or happy someone is with their work; it’s about a personal, emotional, and mental investment in, and connection with, their work and their employer.

Remember, employee engagement is a continuous process, not just for Christmas, as they say. It requires ongoing effort and commitment from management and employees alike.

The rewards will be worth it.