Some organizations see their products or services as their greatest asset and don’t realize that their people are actually the ones who determine whether their business thrives.

Nowadays, a paycheck isn’t the only factor that employees take into account when looking for a job – they also want their work to be engaging, so they can feel like they are making a difference. 

Employee engagement impacts three essential business areas: employee retention, workplace absenteeism, and productivity.

When workers feel motivated, their burnout risk decreases, resulting in a more positive state of mind and increased career fulfillment.

Sounds great, isn’t it? Well, the good news is that there are many ways you can keep your team happy and engaged.

Establish Your Business’s Core Values

Employees seek purpose in their work, and you can help them find it by reinforcing your organization’s values, which may include commitment, integrity and self-growth.

By doing so, you will provide clarity regarding shared goals and ensure everyone is working towards them.

Setting values in your company allows employees to understand what your business stands for – it’s a roadmap that encourages specific behavior, helping them make professional decisions that align with your company’s mission.

However, there’s no point in establishing core values if your team doesn’t know about them! So, make sure to promote them across your organization.

You can do so in different ways, such as holding frequent meetings to update everyone on the organization’s progress.

Additionally, you can include the business’ vision in all employee communications, like the company’s website or newsletter.

Encourage Regular Feedback

Employees usually crave feedback, as this lets them know if they are performing well and where to improve.

Thus, providing regular feedback is one of the best ways to boost employee engagement, as it shows that you care about your team’s development – just keep in mind to be as objective and specific as possible.

Asking for feedback is just as important as giving it because it makes employees feel like their opinions matter.

Hence, when making changes in your company, such as proposing new ideas, consider communicating them to your team before implementing them.

Employees tend to be hesitant to give the honest truth to their bosses, so to encourage a culture of feedback, you must create situations where employees feel safe to speak up.

There are several ways to do so, such as anonymous surveys, as this will ease their fears and make them more likely to share their opinions.

Another idea is to host small luncheon events where you invite fewer than ten employees.

This will reduce pressure, thus encouraging them to talk freely about the company’s operations.

But collecting feedback isn’t enough – it’s essential to make changes based on the acquired information, as this will show that you’re taking employees’ opinions seriously.

Enhance Communication

When looking for ways to boost employee engagement, the importance of communication shouldn’t be overlooked.

Communication is crucial in daily life, especially in a work environment, so it only makes sense to prioritize it.

This is where communication platforms can come in handy, helping you reach employees and, thus, ensure they are informed and productive.

Such platforms come with great features, all intended to conduct your messages as efficiently as possible by keeping the information relevant.

Using an employee communication app allows you to get your team’s attention easily, which can be highly beneficial, especially for hybrid companies.

This can be done via a push notification, which will be sent to employees’ smartphones and appear on their home screens to inform them of critical news in real time.

Moreover, an employee communication app resembles social media platforms, providing opportunities for social interaction by allowing employees to drop likes and reactions.

This way, staying in touch with co-workers becomes much more fun, which will likely be appreciated, resulting in increased employee engagement.

Prioritize Employee Well-being

According to a report regarding mental health in the workplace, overwork and pressure are among the top reasons employees feel burned out, leading to disengagement and a decreased sense of happiness and fulfillment.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, HR professionals realized the importance of putting employees’ well-being at the forefront.

People can only be productive when they are focused; however, burnout has the opposite effect.

Hence, companies should take this aspect seriously, and ensure employees can make time for recreational activities and social life outside of work.

There are different ways to commit to your team’s well-being. For instance, you can start by destigmatizing mental health and providing resources for employees to access when they need support.

Focus on building an inclusive culture where employees can open up about their struggles.

A great way to raise mental health awareness in the workplace is by holding events on this topic or sharing testimonials.

Besides mental health, you should also prioritize your team’s physical wellness by offering them a monthly stipend which they can use for workout classes.

Give Recognition

Employees work hard to achieve your company’s goals, and most want their efforts acknowledged.

Praising your team’s work provides extrinsic motivation, making employees feel appreciated.

Moreover, it reassures them they are doing the right thing, thus helping them perform their tasks confidently.

Employee recognition can help your business thrive, resulting in better relationships between co-workers and allowing employees to find fulfillment in their jobs.

You can congratulate your employees for a job well done by implementing a rewards system, such as gift cards.

Or, you can sponsor professional development, offer spontaneous treats, or plan a fun team activity day.

Another idea is to write a handwritten note, which can be highly appreciated, especially by female employees.

Recognizing employees’ efforts is a great motivational tool which will benefit your business considerably in the long run.

Plus, it is incredibly cost-effective – in fact, depending on what you choose, it may not cost anything at all!

The Bottom Line

Prioritizing employee engagement is the key to a business’s long-term success. If your team is motivated, you will see an increase in productivity and customer satisfaction ratings.

Moreover, your brand’s reputation will improve, as you will stand out as a business that cares about employees’ well-being.