Often, when we think about employee engagement, come to our mind images of modern offices with foosball tables, relaxation rooms, and fresh fruit every morning. However, a healthy and productive work environment requires more than superficial advantages.
According to global research, Only a third of workers feel truly committed to their jobs. This data sends us a clear wake-up call, urging us to review and rethink our strategies to encourage greater commitment.
What is the impact of engagement in organizations?
Why employee engagement is important? Because companies with disengaged employees suffer from decreased productivity, decreased levels of creativity and innovation, and higher employee turnover.
Furthermore, underestimating the repercussions of low commitment is really expensive for organizations: replacing a single employee can cost several thousand euros, which can increase if we add the productivity costs and time required to train new hires.
Also, it is well known that engaged employees demonstrate greater enthusiasm and involvement in their work. A Gallup study revealed that companies with high levels of engagement experience an 81% decrease in absenteeism and an 18% reduction in turnover rates. And they increase their productivity by 18% and their profitability by 23%.
So yes, employee engagement is not an extra perk, but a necessity.
In this situation, we only have to ask ourselves one question: how can we foster authentic motivation and connection among our team?
Below, we leave you with 7 tips that will help you maintain the commitment of your loved ones in the long term and grow your business:
7 tips to enhance Employee Engagement
Recognize a job well done
Recognition of work well done is one of the most effective tools to foster employee engagement and motivation. With this, you are not only valuing the effort and achievements of your employees, but you are also sending a clear message of appreciation and respect for their contribution to the company.
This recognition can be expressed in multiple ways. You can opt for tangible rewards, such as bonuses, additional days off or gifts, which are especially motivating to encourage performance and dedication.
However, sometimes a simple compliment or sincere thank you can have just as significant, or even greater, impact. Keep in mind that, whether public or private, it is crucial to personalize this recognition, mentioning specific achievements and the impact the employee’s work has had on the company.
Take care of Onboarding
Effective onboarding is essential to creating a positive and lasting first impression. A well-structured onboarding process not only helps new employees feel welcome, but also allows them to quickly understand their role and how it fits into the overall vision of the organization.
Team introductions, for example, can provide valuable context and establish initial relationships. Training in company tools and processes is also vital so that they can begin to contribute quickly.
Beyond that, it is essential to provide follow-up throughout the first weeks and months, ensuring that new employees are adapting and feel supported in their new environment.
Implement a well-defined career plan
Employee loyalty is not just about keeping them satisfied in their current job, but also giving them a clear vision of how they will grow and progress within the company.
By providing a well-defined and well-implemented career plan, you give your employees the confidence that they have a future in your organization. This plan should be personalized for each employee, taking into account their skills, interests and career goals and promoting a shared sense of purpose and direction.
Plan team-building actions
Team-building activities are more than an opportunity for leisure and fun. They are an effective tool to foster team cohesion, promote mutual respect and improve collaboration.
There are a wide variety of Team-Buildings to carry out. For example, workshops are useful for developing teamwork skills, while team outings and meals together provide a more informal environment to strengthen personal relationships and cultivate empathy.
Hold 1:1 meetings
Face-to-face meetings are an excellent opportunity for two-way feedback and problem solving. These one-on-one meetings provide a safe and private space for employees to share their concerns, ideas and professional goals with their direct manager.
As a leader, they allow you to better understand your people, their job satisfaction and expectations and also offer you a platform to praise achievements, discuss areas for improvement and plan the employee’s career development.
Promote initiatives that promote well-being
It is always a good idea to invest in the happiness and health of your employees. Whether through mindfulness workshops to promote mental health, gym discounts to promote physical health, or flexible work schedules and work-from-home policies to balance work and personal life, promoting well-being leads to an increase in employee satisfaction and engagement , reducing burnout and improving productivity.
Encourage open communication
Creating an environment of psychological safety , in which employees feel comfortable expressing their opinions, sharing ideas and giving feedback, has a huge impact on team engagement.
You can achieve this through regular team meetings, where everyone has a chance to speak, open communication channels that encourage ongoing discussion, and a culture of transparency and trust, where employees feel confident that their opinions are valued and taken into account.
