Employee engagement is a designed methodology for the workplace to track and improve employees' job duties, a position with the company culture, and fellow employees. It also ensures that every employee is wholly committed to the organization's goals and values and that they should be encouraged to contribute to the overall success of the company.
HR and management use employee engagement methods to achieve a number of goals and objectives. HR and management use various measures and approaches to engage employees more and more so that they can put their best foot forward regularly.
HR is a particular department that acts as an agent between company owners and employees. It is in HR's most prior initiative to keep employees intact with the organization. It will help the company get the valuable talent retained, and get the maximum productivity for their company's success.
According to a study, almost 63% of HR professionals agree that they have a separate strategy for improving employee engagement, while only 42% agree with this statement.
So if you are an HR representative or work as a senior management person and wanted to get your company in a profitable eye-opener chart, you must work on employee engagement as highly engaged employees and teams show 21% greater profitable, according to Forbes.
The Role Of HR & Management In Boosting Employee Engagement
As an HR representative or being an integral part of management, you must find ways to improve employee engagement in your company. I understand that most of you are finding it difficult to know how to boost employee engagement.
I decided to share the secret and present the 12 engagement boosting tactics, which will definitely work for your company.
1. Identifying Employee Needs
It is significant for every person to identify the problem or spot the hindrance and then work to solve it. Similarly, as for HR management, it is essential to track the roadblocks that disrupt the company's progress and productivity, and for this, you must conduct an in-house employee survey.
Most companies have the systems in place but need improvisation, but if you need an idea about what could be done to have a comprehensive employee survey, then don't worry, I have got you covered.
The next question is what your survey should contain? Make a list of questions according to your demands by keeping the prominent issues in the beginning.
For example;
- How are you feeling at work?
- Does the company atmosphere and culture please you?
- How are you being treated by your management?
- Do you understand the company career growth and promotion policy?
- How would you rate your work-life balance?
This short survey will give you a clear image of how your employees feel about the employer. If you want your company to be successful and productive; you must first meet your employees' needs first because they put their hearts and souls for the company.
2. Designing Flexible Work Options
It has been found that many employees are more productive when they are being given flexibility at work. Any person can have a domestic problem going on, and sometimes they get quandary as to what they should do. Working for an employer that offers certain flexibilities will result in loyalty and sincerity in employees for the company.
Specific day-offs, half-days, and work from home option can do the job. According to a 2018 study by Deloitte, 10,500 people shows that a lack of flexibility is the most likely reason a millennial would quit their job role.
Flexible work programs should be introduced in companies as this program helps in increasing productivity by reducing work stress, and allow employees to concentration more on their role. Flexible work programs should include; a plan with clear policies and procedures, re-assessments, adjustments, communication cycles, etc.
3. Managing Organizational Communication Processes
Companies should be practicing internal communications, which must be regular and frequent, and ensure you have your workforce in the loop and involved. Choosing the right communication channel is the responsibility of HR. But they should also educate others to take it seriously.
As Paul Barton says, 'Effective internal communication is a powerful force that helps organizations to be more successful and enriches employees' lives in meaningful ways.'
According to a Bluesource - Protect Govern Move Manage, 97% of employees believe that communication plays an impactful role in tasks performed every day, and productivity improves by up to 25% in companies.
4. Maintaining Safe Office Environment
The physical environment of the office is another crucial factor that needs consideration. You'll be amazed to know that even big brands like Wal-Mart are penalized for unsafe working conditions, offering low wages, and not providing lunch breaks to workers.
However, providing a safe working environment is very important to ensure high productivity levels and avoid legal proceedings, and fortunately, there are abundant ways to do that.
If you discover that the physical office environment is possibly an unfortunate reason for menacing productivity, then that needs to be rectified immediately. Just keep one thing in your mind that employees are your asset, and they need to be taken care of; if they are facing any issue, you must solve it at the earliest.
It has been found, according to research, that the common complaint among employees is lousy lighting. Too much or too little light can cause eye strain and trigger migraines in some people.
Another study conducted in 2015 had revealed that workplace temperatures have to be reasonable, according to average workers' BMI. You can impose a no smoking policy, add some plants, install filtration systems, and maintain an adequate level of humidity to make the environment more comforting.
A survey conducted by Fellowes Workplace Wellness Trend Report stated that an overwhelming majority of around 87% of workers prefer workspace to be open with different options including, good lighting, healthy lunch options, and ergonomic seating.
5. Fostering Creativity & Innovation
I have seen and been discussing that many companies don't let their employees be creative and innovative. If someone wants to break the stereotypical norms and work creatively or innovatively, the management should support it instead of compelling to do the things as they have always been.
However, companies who want their employees to be creative and innovative have been found more on the productive uphill. Instead of killing someone's thoughts, HR personnel should motivate and encourage them, which will bring more exciting ideas and increase employee engagement.
You can also start some adequate training programs that boost creativity and encourage innovation. These programs could be beneficial because they would increase your employee attachment with the company.
6. Reward Management
Acknowledging your employee's discretionary efforts can drive employee engagement significantly. It has been found that top business leaders and managers always thank you and show gratitude towards the employees.
Recognition is the most straightforward yet most potent thing HR and managers can do for employees. So, how, in reality, you can show gratitude and appreciation to your hardworking employees?
HR and management can show recognition through little gestures, like awarding certifications, rewarding cash bonuses, arranging team dinners, special perks, and much more. A lasting trust and a healthy relationship can be built by showing gratitude.
7. Promoting Employee Well-being
Take steps to introduce measures for a healthy workplace through different programs or procedures. Remember that employees' well-being, whether physically or mentally, should be of great importance for you.
HR and management should encourage their employees to take 5 minutes break as having a short break will help them get their mind relaxed, doing this will develop a sense of care and your employees will value the care. Having a satisfied workforce is your key to success.
According to an HR Magazine published in 2014, 'Where there is high engagement but low well-being, there is a risk of burnout over time. Where there is high well-being but low engagement, employees may be feeling generally satisfied and well but are unconnected to the organizational purpose.'
8. Compensation & Benefits
Compensating your employees adequately is important. If the employees feel that they have not been adequately compensated and given their due benefits, this will ultimately leave them in a condition where their morale will naturally decrease.
Employment satisfaction falls to the ground when they found problems in payrolls, incorrect calculation of time-in and time-out, not being promoted, and undelivered bonuses and increments.
HR and management should keep in check the details of each employee carefully. There are plenty of software services that can solve your worries and make your employees feel satisfied with the processes.
9. Encouraging Feedback
Feedback improves the process by recognizing the loopholes. Management who is keen on getting feedback is hence considered to get more developed results. If your company's policies don't involve input, maybe it is time for HR and management to give it a thought. Managers can reinforce positive behavior by giving feedback to employees. On the other hand, employee feedback is also essential to know workers' expectations.
By asking for feedback will, the management could get to know about their workplace environment, and workload, etc. By giving feedback, employees will believe that their opinion matters and that they play an essential part in the company.
10. Mentoring Employees
It has been found that most managers do not bother about helping their staff because they are either very busy with their workload or don't care about helping out. If you lack in this, it is the time when you started to do this, because by being a mentor to your employees increase employee engagement.
Mentoring your employees who are facing issues, whether domestic or at work, regardless of how busy you are, will get you in touch with the employee. Offer your help if you happened to see them struggling to know that the task assigned could be difficult and need assistance.
11. Implementing Technological Tools
Are you a company that has the best and talented employees but using outdated tools and technology is making everything slower? If the answer is yes, then you immediately need to implement the latest technologies and automate your systems and processes for simple tasks to save a huge amount of employee time and effort.
As technology is snowballing with every other passing day, you must take your standards high and update your tools and technology, which is necessary to keep the business process running in a full-productive flow.
If you limit your budget just to save more dollars, then the employees and your business don't excel. For instance, if the HR and management body is still using manual methods for business operations, you have to improvise it as it will give you more acceleration in the production cycle.
12. Providing Learning Opportunities
One of the best ways to engage your employees with the organization is to provide them with the right opportunities to grow and develop. It shows that the company cares about its employees and is ready to invest in their professional and personal development.
Moreover, companies that offer these opportunities to their employees are more likely to experience low absenteeism and turnover. You can offer your employees free courses and workshops related to their job.
However, taking admission in top universities isn't easy today than in the past. Most institutions ask candidates to write a compelling essay. If your employee lacks writing skills, then suggest them to take personal statement help UK so that they can manage their work with studies easily.
Rethinking the Role Of HR Management During Pandemic
The covid-19 outbreak has hit the world so severely that every business organization and community is facing tight challenging to cope up. Even the most talented department, that is, HR, has found themselves in difficulty. Employee engagement has been affected by a significant number.
But I have got you covered, and these tactics specially designed and thought over for this pandemic.
- Prioritize Employee Safety
Employee safety should be a vital aspect to cover during this period as most of the employees have been asked to work from home for their safety. Many are still reporting in-person, and as in the management body, you should screen every individual before they enter the premises, get their hands washed and sanitized.
HR and management should encourage the employees to stay home and work from home as it could be essential for them, their families, and their colleagues too. While ensuring employee safety, you should keep one thing in mind that work from home isn't as easy as it seems. Their pay shouldn't be deducted, and other benefits should be given in the same way.
- Ensure Equitable Policies
As I have discussed above that there are two types of groups generally operating during this pandemic; one group working from home and the other group working from the office.
HR and management should review and make suitable policies to ensure every employee has equal access to healthcare facilities and other benefits that the company offers.
The staff or employees coming office should be compensated later with leaves or leave – encashment.
- Build A Communication Channel
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic is viewed differently by organizations and their employees. As overseeing the situation and shifting the dynamics from office to home, the communication channel is a thing that needs much attention.
Channeling the workforce and creating a pleasant environment of communication will make the employees feel important and connected. HR and management should stay connected with the workers for work purposes.
- Develop A Support System
There are a lot of companies that are trying to find ways to make their employee's live easier. It is a time that needs organizations to support their employees. HR and management leaders should take steps to provide support in numerous ways.
You could divide the teams into groups and ask them to come to the office on alternate days. Employees with prior diseases and weak immune systems must be asked to stay home and work, but their salaries and benefits should not be deducted.
- Praise Employees
If your employees are hardworking, sincere, and honest, you must reward them with an open heart. They expect rewards and benefits. Surprise them and earn their loyalty in this pandemic because they have stood with you in every situation, and now is the time to back them up.
Research about market trends and procedures; find out how companies are providing care to their employees.
The Bottom Line
An organization can improve in several ways; one that accounts for much is employee engagement. Providing care, benefits, and career growth show how much you care for your employees.
Adopting employee engagement strategies in the right way will lead any business toward success. HR and management body is the key to ensuring a positive environment where employees regardless of their designation, feel valued.
Having a perfect productivity plan or employee engagement structure is difficult, but using the tactics mentioned above will bring much change in your productivity.
Author Bio
Amanda Jerelyn is currently working as a Head of Digital Marketing Team at Dissertation Service UK. She has gained a credible reputation over the years with her dedication to the work and experience in her field.