Positive
work environments bring out the best in employees. They not only help them work
safely and effectively, but they also promote mental wellness. But toxic
workplaces are certainly like cancer. They deplete work energy, cause division,
and hinder organizational progress. Unfortunately, many modern workplaces are
like that. They are filled with nepotism, and unsupportive work measures and
besides that, they hamper employee development.
A
positive work environment can make a huge difference in an organization. It not
only reduces employee attrition, and absenteeism, but also improves employee
engagement, connectivity, and productivity. Healthy workplaces can impact
business and employees and also stretch to customer relationships. Precisely,
positive workplaces are characterized by a high level of employee engagement.
But what is employee engagement and what are some of the must-try employee
engagement tips for a positive workplace?
Employee Engagement
Employee
engagement refers to the eagerness and emotional dedication that employees feel
toward their jobs and the organization at large. It generally takes into
account physical, emotional, and mental involvement in work. It also refers to
the enthusiasm employees display when given new tasks or their willingness to
go the extra mile.
Employees
who are emotionally committed to an organization display higher positivity that
influences other employees to perform better. However, it should be noted that
employee engagement goes beyond accomplishing tasks. Many employees can deliver
projects on time when they aren’t engaged. In fact, one study by Gallup found
that only 20% of employees are engaged at work.
Engaged
employees don’t need to be forced to work even on a public holiday when
required. They are also willing to work without demanding extra pay. So this is
enough to offer you a second thought about the way you define employee
engagement.
If
you’re an HR professional or a team leader you must be concerned about employee
engagement. That’s because employee engagement impacts everything streaming
from productivity, creativity, and turnover to resource utilization. So, let’s
look at some of the best employee engagement tips you can consider to improve
your workplace atmosphere;
- Check your Onboarding Process
The
way new hires feel on the first day of their joining matters a lot. Of course,
first impressions offer a lasting impact. Your new hires need to feel welcome,
and at home. Effective onboarding practices directly impact employee engagement
from the go. When new hires feel left out that directly impacts them
psychologically.
However,
when HR professionals ensure to include new hires in the company activities
like lunches, this boosts their morale. Other tips to consider for smooth
onboarding practices include offering new hires a mentor, sending out an
announcement, and asking new hires for feedback at the end of the day. This can
help them feel more comfortable and valued.
- Recognize & Reward Them
Want
to improve employee engagement but don’t know where to start? Consider recognizing
and rewarding your employees. Employees aren’t machines that are only expected
to offer an output. They have feelings and emotions and the way they feel about
a job impacts their productivity.
One
study by Nectar discovered that over 81% of employees stress that recognition
for their contributions improves their engagement. When employees are
appreciated, this motivates them to perform even better. They will look for
ways to improve their skills in order to meet the set standards.
Some
of the ways to recognize and reward employees include offering them gift cards,
training them, and conducting physical workout sessions. When employees receive
something valuable from an organization besides their salaries, this increases
their engagement.
- Host Virtual Meetings
The
modern corporate world is dimensionally changing ever since the 2020 pandemic.
More and more organizations are opting for hybrid work cultures as a way of
fostering flexibility. However, hybrid work cultures also come with their own
challenges such as disengagement.
Consider
holding virtual meetings as a way of improving employee engagement for in-house
and remote teams. Virtual meetings can enhance participation and collaboration.
With that, managers and HR professionals can consider online meetings as a way
of improving employee engagement.
- Involve Employees in Decision-Making
At
the end of the day, organizational policies and rules are made for employees.
So, how about involving them in decision-making processes? Healthy workplaces
are governed by transparency and respect. That also includes all-inclusive
rules that safeguard all employees' beliefs, well-being, and productivity. With
that, it’s essential to involve employees in a company’s decision-making
process.
Considering
their opinions can help managers create work guidelines that cater to positive
workplace culture. It also shows that employees’ opinions are valued and that
they matter. Largely, this improves employee morale and dedication.
- Foster Belongingness & Inclusion
When
employees feel like they belong, they are mentally positioned to offer their
best. However, a toxic work environment only paves the way for more ethical issues. Belongingness is a feeling
that one is wanted and loved despite social differences. Workplace
belongingness is key to inclusion.
In
this growing age of diversity, fostering belongingness can help employees feel
that they matter. This helps employees concentrate on their work to offer the
best. With that, check for diversity in your workplace and find means of
ensuring positivity. The presence of bias can negatively impact workplace
social relationships. It also prevents employee adherence to workplace
guidelines and policies.
- Push for Collaboration
Apart
from improving output quality and quantity, collaboration enhances workplace
relationships. If anyone wants to be a better leader, he or she must possess good
communication and collaboration skills. Collaboration in a workplace builds
connections that can improve work skills. Also, it helps employees share ideas,
work tips and solve problems better. This all improves employee engagement in
the long run.
- Offer Feedback Positively
Constructive
feedback helps employees grow. Not all employees are discouraged by negative
feedback and in fact, 75% of employees value feedback. Many
employees desire to grow and providing feedback whether negative or positive
can help them work better. However, it’s crucial for a manager to assess
feedback delivery mediums.
Negative
feedback that is meant to intimidate and disrespect can discourage employees
even if they are at fault. On the other hand, negative feedback which is
delivered politely helps employees change and seek self-improvement tips. There are many ways of
delivering feedback without hurting an employee’s emotions or professionalism.
This
can include speaking politely and offering constructive tips to better
themselves. Other considerations include offering them a mentor and
recommending training programs. These can improve employee engagement in the
workplace.
Conclusion
Employee
engagement is very important when it comes to ensuring higher productivity,
employee retention, and proper resource utilization. Many managers today
understand the importance of employee engagement and the fact that it can
impact recruitment costs. Also, employee engagement is no longer fostered by
providing good salary perks. Modern employees consider their own well-being a priority and that includes
physical, emotional, and psychological health. Therefore, consider these
must-try employee engagement tips to create and promote a positive workplace.
About the Author: Jessica Robinson loves to write interesting and
knowledgeable blogs regarding business management, education and life to
satiate the curiosity of her lovely readers. Currently, she is serving as a
content manager at the ‘Speaking Polymath’. Every piece of content that she
writes demonstrates her immense love and passion for her profession.