How to Improve Employee Engagement: Strategies for Boosting Morale

Employee engagement is a critical component of the success of any organisation. When employees are engaged, they are more productive and happier in their work. They are also more likely to stick around, reducing costly turnover rates.

And with only 35% of employees engaged in their workplace, now is the time to start improving employee engagement in your organisation.

In this article, we'll discuss how you can improve employee engagement within your organisation using these strategies. We'll cover everything from recognition programs to getting feedback and everything in between.

What is Employee Engagement?

Before diving into improving employee engagement, it's important first to understand what employee engagement is. Employee engagement is the level of enthusiasm and commitment an employee has towards their work and company.

92% of business executives believe that when employees are engaged, they care about their work and want to do their best. They feel a sense of ownership over their projects and take pride in their accomplishments.

Why is Learning How to Improve Employee Engagement Important?

Employee engagement is important because it directly impacts an organisation's bottom line. When employees are engaged, they are more likely to be productive and produce high-quality work. They are also less likely to leave the company, saving it money in turnover costs.

There are a number of factors that contribute to employee engagement. These include things like feeling valued and appreciated by the company, having a good relationship with their direct supervisor, and feeling like they are part of a team. When these factors are present, employees are more likely to be engaged in their work.

In addition, engaged employees are more likely to be positive ambassadors for your brand. They are more likely to tell their friends and family about their positive experiences with your company, and they are more likely to recommend your products or services to others. This can help you attract new customers and grow your business.

How to Improve Employee Engagement

There are many things you can do to improve employee engagement within your organisation. Here are a few ways to get started.

Create a Thoughtful Onboarding Process

The onboarding process is the first opportunity you have to make a good impression on your new employees and set the tone for their time at your company.

A well-designed onboarding program will help new employees adjust to their new roles, feel welcomed and valued by the company, and better understand your company's culture and values. It will also help them build relationships with their co-workers and feel like part of the team from day one.

There are several things you can do to create a thoughtful onboarding process.

• Clearly communicate your company's culture and values to new employees.
• Provide new employees with a mentor or buddy to help them adjust to their new role and answer any questions they may have.
• Give new employees time to get to know their co-workers and build relationships. This can be done through team-building activities, social events, or simply by encouraging them to interact with their co-workers during breaks and lunch.

Encourage Open Communication

Open communication is essential to improving employee engagement. Employees need to feel like they can communicate openly with their supervisors and other members of management. They should feel like their voices are being heard and that their input is valued.

There are several ways you can encourage open communication within your organisation:

• Make sure employees know who to go to with questions or concerns.
• Encourage employees to share their ideas and feedback, and let them know their input is valued.
• Ensure employees feel like they can openly express themselves without fear of retribution.

RELATED: 6 Tips For Successful Employee Benefits Communication

Create a Recognition Program

Recognising and rewarding employees for their hard work and accomplishments is a great way to improve employee engagement. When employees feel like their work is appreciated, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated to do their best.

In fact, when employees believe they'll be recognised for their work, they're 2.7 times more likely to be highly engaged, according to a study by Quantum Workplace. Another study found that the single most important driver for employees to do "great work" is employee recognition.

You can recognise and reward employees by:

• Publicly recognise employees for their accomplishments during team meetings or company-wide events.
• Recognise employees either publicly or privately through a social recognition platform.
• Give employees personalised thank-you notes or emails.
• Offer employees rewards or bonuses for meeting specific goals.
• Encourage peer-to-peer recognition.

RELATED: 8 Tips for Creating a Successful Employee Reward and Recognition Strategy

Provide Opportunities for Growth and Development

Employees who feel like they are stuck in a dead-end job are less likely to be engaged in their work. Providing employees with opportunities for growth and development is a great way to keep them engaged and motivated.

Some opportunities include:

• Encourage employees to take on new responsibilities and challenge themselves.
• Invest in employee training and development programs.
• Provide employees with opportunities to attend industry events or conferences.

Ask for Employee Feedback

Asking for employee feedback is a great way to get to know what your employees are thinking and how they feel about their job. It can also help you identify any areas where employees are not engaged and may need more support.

You can ask for employee feedback by:

• Conducting regular employee engagement surveys or check-ins with employees
• Encouraging employees to provide feedback during team meetings or one-on-one conversations.
• Asking employees for their input on company decisions or changes.

Getting Started

Improving employee engagement can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. By implementing some simple strategies, you can greatly impact employee morale. Try out some of the strategies listed above and see how they work for you. With a little effort, you can create a more engaged and productive workforce.

Interested in learning more about how your company can benefit from a recognition program? Schedule a demo of Terryberry's new 360 Recognition platform today.