Employee engagement has been declining recently, with 36% of employees engaged in 2020 and only 34% in 2021. This pattern continued into early 2022, with only 32% of employees engaged. Meanwhile, over 17% of employees are now actively disengaged, an increase of 1% since last year’s data.
This trend is concerning for employers as it can lead to a decrease in productivity and motivation. If left unchecked, this could hurt a company’s bottom line. Fortunately, employers can address this matter before it becomes a problem. Here are ways to increase employee engagement in the workplace:
Recognize a Job Well Done
Employees love it when their hard work is appreciated. Managers can reap big rewards by recognizing employees for a job well done. Employee recognition programs don’t have to be expensive or elaborate. A simple “thank you” can make someone feel appreciated and valued.
But you can show appreciation for your employees’ hard work by doing more than simply saying “thank you.” You can try publicly recognizing them or giving small rewards such as tokens of appreciation, a certificate, or a leaderboard showcasing that month’s top employees.
By showing your appreciation, you’ll not only make your employees feel good but also boost workplace morale and motivation. Moreover, recognizing their achievements might encourage a healthy level of competition in the office, driving employees to work even harder to be recognized.
Provide Opportunities to Learn and Grow
Employees want to feel like they can grow and learn in their job. Providing opportunities for employees to learn and grow will help keep them engaged in their work. This can be done by giving them the chance to take on new projects or by providing training and development opportunities.
You can explore various development activities such as team buildings to promote teamwork and collaboration. Maybe send them to job shadowing experiences. You can also try having them attend conferences, trade shows, or technical workshops to keep them technologically updated. You can also have them attend training for empathetic leadership, which will help them be more compassionate towards their colleagues. These activities can go a long way in increasing employee engagement.
If you don’t make efforts to show you value their growth, there may be negative consequences. Your employees will feel like their growth is stunted, making them feel unmotivated and discouraged. This can eventually lead to them seeking new opportunities outside of your company.
Promote a Healthy Work-life Balance
Juggling the demands of work and home can be challenging, and it’s easy to let one area of life suffer at the expense of the other. If they’re out of balance, it can lead to problems at work and at home. Employees may have difficulty meeting deadlines or may start to feel overwhelmed and stressed. But it’s important to separate time for work and family because each is essential to your employees’ happiness and wellbeing.
You can promote this balance by ensuring they don’t have to sacrifice their time to meet your company’s deadlines or goals. You can also lead by example by taking breaks and making time for your family and friends. They will follow suit if your employees see you no longer respond or contact them after your work shift. In addition, you may also try to create a flexible work environment where employees can take the time they need without fear of repercussions. Moreover, you can encourage your employees to take vacations and use their paid time off.
This will help them recharge and return to work feeling refreshed and motivated.
Create a Positive and Inclusive Work Environment
Employees who feel valued and appreciated are more likely to be productive and engaged in their work. A positive and inclusive work environment can also help reduce stress and conflict and improve communication among coworkers. Moreover, employees who feel like they are part of a supportive team are more likely to be committed to their job and less likely to leave the company.
You can create this environment in your company by encouraging employees to voice their opinions and giving them opportunities to contribute to decision-making. You can also promote a culture of respect and appreciation, where employees feel comfortable being themselves and are treated fairly. Likewise, you can foster a sense of belonging by creating social events and activities that allow coworkers to get to know each other outside work.
Employee engagement is a hot topic in the business world. To achieve it, employers must create an environment where employees feel valued and appreciated. Keeping employees happy and engaged will positively impact everything from productivity to company culture.
