What is Employee Engagement?

To create a healthy working environment, employees should feel a connection. They should be connected to their work, the people they work with, and the organization they work for. This connection is known as employee engagement. Many leaders may wonder what is employee engagement, really? Or, more specifically, how can I drive better engagement? This article answers that question and offers a blueprint for fostering strong employee engagement within your organization.

First, it’s helpful to understand that there are four main groupings regarding employee engagement. On the favorable end, there are highly engaged employees who think positively about their company. These feelings of connection encourage employees to stay and work hard for their organization.

On the other side, there are disengaged employees. These employees think negatively about their workplace and generally perform with lower quality or effort. When employees think negatively about their workplace, there is often a loss of trust and failure to meet responsibilities.

For your organization to be successful, you must understand the impact of employee engagement within your company, and how to cultivate a positive employee experience.

What are Three Key Elements of Employee Engagement?

While employee engagement does not refer to the happiness level of an employee at work, job satisfaction is one of the critical elements of employee connection.

Satisfaction

Fulfillment and contentment in a job role translate to the satisfaction one feels. The more an employee feels gratification from their job, the more likely they will be engaged and motivated to work harder. When employees feel their skills are being used for their job, they are more satisfied. On the flip side, employees are unhappy when they feel their skills aren’t being used at work, and their talents aren’t being recognized Employees want their employer to recognize the contributions they make.

Commitment

Loyalty and dedication are indicators of employee commitment. When employees are committed, they feel a sense of accomplishment and ownership. These employees are also willing to take the extra steps to achieve goals. They are less likely to leave and find another job. To encourage commitment, organizations must foster an environment of support and growth while rewarding achievements. When employees feel connected and valued, they are more engaged and committed.

Involvement

Engaged employees feel like they are actively involved in their work. They also have control over their tasks. Companies can enhance the involvement of employees by empowering them to have a role in decisions. Strong communication in the workplace also encourages a feeling of involvement. When employees feel like they know what’s happening within the company, they feel more involved and part of a team. In addition, they feel as though they have contributed to the overall success of the organization. They see themselves as a part of the overall operation.

Benefits of Employee Engagement

The higher the employee engagement, the greater the benefit for the employees and the organization. The more invested an employee is, the more productive they are. In addition to producing more work, they do it more effectively and efficiently. Plus, engaged employees are more likely to take it upon themselves to find ways to complete their tasks.

High Performing

Engaged employees are higher performers. They work at their peak performance while continuing to improve their skills. Employees operating at this level set challenging goals for themselves and work hard to achieve them. They perform higher individually and encourage the team to do the same. They remain motivated, even during challenging times, which increases productivity for the organization.

Profitability

Employees who are engaged and satisfied in their work are more productive, committed, and motivated to contribute their best efforts to the organization. They are more likely to share knowledge and best practices with their colleagues while also encouraging them to improve their own skills. Knowledge transfer helps develop a skilled and capable workforce, reducing the need for external hiring and associated recruitment costs.

Innovation

Creativity and innovation are positive byproducts of engagement. These Employees who embrace a creative mindset generate new ideas and consider new solutions to problems. These skills create a dynamic work environment where employees are encouraged to contribute their unique perspectives. When businesses aren’t innovative, they become stagnant and may find success difficult to sustain.

Increased Retention

When employees engage at work, they want to be there.  They spend more time at work and are highly productive while there. There is less turnover when employees are more engaged. This means it’s easier for organizations to keep employees — and retaining employees is far more cost-effective than replacing them.

How to Measure Employee Engagement?

When you want to know the state of your employee experience, it’s essential to measure your employees’ level of engagement using several effective measures.

Job Satisfaction Surveys

Job satisfaction surveys aim to assess how employees feel about their job roles and environment. Surveys explore areas like career growth, opportunities, and balance.

Pulse Surveys

Pulse surveys are real-time and short surveys that detail engagement and morale. These surveys allow companies to address issues quickly while also tracking them.

Net Promoter Score (NPS)

The NPS is a number (typically ranging from 0 to 10) that measures the willingness and likelihood of employees to recommend the company as a workplace. This gives employers valuable knowledge about how willing employees are to advocate for the company, and to potentially recruit more talent into the organization.

Best Practices for Employee Engagement

There are many best practices employers can implement to encourage employee engagement.

Positive Culture

A supportive and inclusive work culture values diversity, promotes open communication, and encourages collaboration. Businesses should celebrate success and recognize employees’ contributions. Consistent expectations are also critical to maintaining a positive culture. Employees appreciate knowing the rules and seeing them enforced across all levels. When management is unpredictable, it can have a negative impact on an employee's emotions and feelings of safety in the workplace.

Opportunity for Growth

Employees value professional development and growth opportunities. This includes things like training programs, mentorship, and leadership development. Employees using technology for training and collaboration can learn new skills while giving themselves more time. This allows for real-time communication and feedback, which reduces communication barriers and fosters a stronger connection. It provides a way for employees to work faster while learning new skills.

Transparent Communication

Communication is an essential part of keeping employees engaged. Communication includes organizational changes, goals, and strategies. Two-way communication is critical so employees feel their voices are heard and valued. When that communication door is open, you can receive employee engagement ideas directly from those who matter most — your employees.

Employee engagement is essential to the success of your company. Following these steps can encourage stronger engagement, which in turn makes your employees feel more valued and want to stay with your company. For more information about engaging your employees successfully, follow us on social media.