Employee engagement is an extremely important indicator when it comes to gauging work satisfaction. Today’s employees want to be involved in their work and feel enthusiastic about the organization that employed them as well. They also want to feel a sense of belonging and feel like they have flexibility around their schedules and locations.
A recent survey revealed that 79% of the respondents felt that a sense of belonging in the workforce was extremely important to them and was essential to their organization’s success in the next year. That’s a revealing statistic and it highlights why employee engagement is the top-most priority of HR leaders today. That’s especially so in a hybrid workplace. Let’s explore why.
When it comes to working from the office, employees can meet each other and easily interact. But in a hybrid environment, they can easily feel disconnected, and they’ll be left to their own devices. Organizations need to focus on their employee engagement. Highly engaged teams are more profitable, have higher attendance, and experience lower rates of turnover. It’s important to invest in employee engagement strategies and other related activities that would keep your employees invested in the company on a deeper level.
Here are more reasons to focus on employee engagement.
Such initiatives protect the mental and emotional well-being of a company’s employees. When these two areas are looked after, it’s easier for the individual to feel more connected to their workplaces. That heightens the awareness of their surroundings. That makes them more aware of their surroundings, too. Research shows that 70% fewer accidents occur in such engaged workplaces. So rather than worrying about whether their boss likes them or if their co-workers do, engaged employees find it easier to focus on the task at hand.
Google famously has a well-equipped gym at its headquarters as an employee wellness initiative. This move made waves and many companies decided to follow suit. Such initiatives towards employee health help them fight obesity, keep away chronic diseases, encourage them to eat healthier, and motivate them to exercise. It’s a wonderful way to help your employees maintain a healthy work-life balance that keeps them on top of their wellness game. That will also lead to a better bottom line.
Cheerful employees mean that the office culture itself will be more elevated. Engaged employees don’t resort to demoralizing tactics such as peer pressure and other stressful behaviours to motivate their employees. They use tools like employee recognition, more personal one-on-one meetings, and holistic feedback loops to improve performance. That reduces stress tremendously and helps maintain a happier work environment. That in turn boosts creativity, which helps employees think more innovatively.
Employee engagement is directly linked to employee satisfaction. The latter measures a minimum level and engagement to encourage people to try harder and achieve more. Employee satisfaction is also an important goal, as dissatisfied employees are more likely to switch jobs or perform worse. Every employee engagement measure adds to the level of satisfaction experienced by all. That’s important in creating a wonderful environment for each employee.
Since engaged employees are happier in general, they tend to have a better home life. They’re able to balance out different aspects of their lives, which improves their overall quality of living. People who are engaged with positive experiences at work tend to share that positive energy with other people as well. They would also be more peaceful and less stressed out when they’re at home. That means their quality of life, in general, will be much better.
If your employees are engaged in the work they’re doing and genuinely care about their team’s success, they’ll be happy to show up to work. Such employees are committed to their organization’s mission. They want to drive each project and make sure the work gets done. Employee engagement measures encourage people to take fewer days off. They feel more secure in what they’re doing. Holidays are more relaxing as they know it won’t affect the work they need to finish. Of course, too many holidays are always a bad sign.
Another fantastic benefit is experiencing higher retention rates. Employee engagement programs encourage employees to use their strengths and abilities to the max. Otherwise, they don’t feel challenged, nor do they enjoy their work. Bored employees are more likely to leave their current employer or worse. By taking the right efforts, you’ll be able to avoid losing precious talent that you would have invested in already. You’d be creating a stronger foundation for your company’s talent retention policies.
There are many reasons for HR leaders to invest in employee engagement boosting activities, including prioritizing the employee’s health and well-being. If you want to reap the benefits of a strong and healthy workforce, you must have the right policies to do the needful.
