5 Ways To Develop And Sustain Employee Engagement

In 2021, the percentage of engaged workers in the U.S. declined for the first year in more than a decade. That’s according to Gallup’s recent survey. Gallup also found that employees who are struggling are twice as likely to change jobs than those who are thriving. These statistics aren’t surprising given that we’re still in the middle of the “Great Resignation” with companies finding it difficult to find and retain top talent.

It’s clearly time to bring employee engagement and wellbeing to the forefront. So, whether you’re a manager looking for motivation or an individual contributor struggling to stay inspired, here are five powerful ways to develop and sustain employee engagement.

Employee engagement starts with fundamentals

Unfortunately, companies have lost sight of the basics. Employees want to feel like they are part of a larger mission. That’s why a company that incorporates its values into everyday activities helps foster a more meaningful workplace culture. But it’s not just about posting your mission statement on the company website. To get employee buy-in and boost employee engagement, you need to integrate the company’s long-term vision and values into the day-to-day business operations. When employees have a strong understanding of the firm’s core values and how they impact the company, they are more likely to feel inspired and motivated.

Make mental health a priority

Many workers cite mental health concerns as a reason why they’re quitting. In a study by Talkspace, two in three employees planning to quit their job say their organization hasn’t followed through on promises to focus more on employee mental health. To combat this, encourage employees to take regular breaks from their desks. Feeling connected is also important to boost physical and mental health. You can also support connection through regular check-ins or team activities. Training leaders on having difficult conversations and creating supportive workplaces is also essential. In addition, make it a point to encourage flexibility and healthy boundaries. For example, company policies that include no email after hours or a four-day workweek can go a long way in increasing employee engagement.

Recognize and reward employees to increase employee engagement

Recognizing and rewarding employees is key to making them feel valued. Yet, one report showed that only one-third of workers received recognition the last time they went above and beyond. To increase employee engagement, try expressing a thank you in public or even taking a few minutes to handwrite a thank you note. If an employee is working overtime, you can consider offering them an extra day off or letting them leave work early on a Friday. You can even make a charitable donation on your employee’s behalf or take your team on a group outing as a reward.

Encourage feedback to improve employee engagement

Another secret to boosting employee participation in the workplace is asking for feedback. Managers are often the ones giving input to employees. This time, try asking your employees what they think. By asking your employees for feedback, they feel that their opinion matters. Beyond listening, it’s crucial to engage in conversations with confidence and curiosity. Ask your team to cite specific examples so you can understand what needs to change. And try not to get defensive. Instead, focus on what you can learn from the information to make a positive difference in the workplace.

Communicate consistently and authentically

Keep employees up to date with information like the company’s direction and the leadership team’s challenges. Tim Sackett, President at HRU Technical Resources, explains it this way, “The one true fact in all workplaces is your people want to be in the know, they want to be in the circle of trust. HR and leadership, in general, do a crappy job at this, and it has a huge impact to engagement. Find ways to make this happen and let your people know that it’s ‘inside’ information. Trusting your employees can handle it raises engagement.”

Companies succeed when they create highly engaged employees. That’s because the greatest asset of a company is its people. By focusing on employee engagement, you’ll improve productivity, performance, and ultimately, the bottom line.

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