Employee Engagement
We spend around 50 years of our lives at work. This is such a long time if you’re unhappy in your job! People want to work for an employer who makes them feel fulfilled, respected, wanted and happy.
So, how do you keep staff interested, happy and invested in your company? And how can you put a smile back on their faces and a spring in the company’s step? Here’s a Quick Guide to get you thinking:
Engagement can’t be imposed from above. As Acas says, it’s about creating a cultural shift in the way organisations behave.
Leadership means having a clear vision of the future and communicating this to employees.
Show you value the contribution your staff make by giving them the power, the responsibility and the trust to do so.
Encourage their ideas for innovations and improvements. And importantly, give them proper consideration. After all, they’re the ones in the front line and know better than anyone what can make a difference.
Allow employees to voice their views and concerns – and address them. Two-way communication is vital in business. Nothing is more damaging than unsubstantiated rumours or ill-feeling.
Fulfil your promises. Yes, ‘talk is cheap’ is a cliché, but no less true for that. Employees will soon spot lip service and harbour a distrust of what you’re telling them.
Ensure good staff/management relationships through man-management training and techniques, and by promoting key management behaviours.
Healthy staff equals engaged staff. Always promote employee wellbeing.
Provide the right mix of staff benefits. Business benefits show employees that you care about their welfare and the financial wellbeing – helping to recruit and retain key talent.
An engaged workforce shows on the bottom line. When people are engaged in their roles and the business, it means better morale, less staff absence, more innovation and improvement and greater productivity.
