How to Build a Culture of Engagement in the Workplace

The global engagement levels hitting a record high of 23% in 2022 is certainly good news for the corporate sector. However, the question remains: will businesses be able to sustain or enhance it in the long run? Similar to other metrics, employee engagement is subject to fluctuations. As such, nurturing and maintaining employee engagement demands an ongoing commitment and effort. 

Whether you're striving to enhance engagement levels or seeking to maintain them in your workplace, this article is for you. Today, we define employee engagement and talk about why it matters. We also share actionable tips on how to build a culture of engagement within your organization. Let’s get started.

What Is Employee Engagement?

Employee engagement is a measure that quantifies how much loyalty and commitment an employee has towards their role and the company they work for. A workplace with high engagement is one where employees' values and beliefs align with the company’s. Employees also tend to feel safe, eager to work, and more productive. Furthermore, they don’t struggle with decision-making and are effective in addressing work-related issues. 

Why Employee Engagement Matters

A positive trend in engagement levels is not always guaranteed, and many workers feel less connected to the workforce day by day. Hence, addressing engagement-related matters in the workplace as soon as possible is crucial. Below, we discuss further the reasons why employee engagement in the workplace matters. 

1. Affects Productivity 

Highly engaged workers feel more invested in their roles and accountable for their performance and contributions to their organization. Additionally, they are less likely to take unplanned absences, which is a common cause of lost productivity in the workplace. A Gallup report highlights that highly engaged workplaces saw an 81% difference in absenteeism. Engaged workers also increase profitability by 23%, according to the same report.

2. Enhances Customer Service 

Keeping your employees engaged is one of the best things you can do for your customers. As an engaged workforce feels more dedicated to the company's success, they become more attentive to the outcomes of their performance, treat customers better, and empathize with them. They can attract and retain customers through active word-of-mouth marketing, consistent sharing of company content online, and more. 

3. Reduces Turnover Costs

A company experiencing low engagement is more likely to face higher turnover rates sooner rather than later. If an employee feels disengaged, they become less motivated and productive and will eventually look for opportunities elsewhere. When this happens, a business will need to find and hire a replacement, which costs nearly $4,700 on average. Not only will a company lose money from employees quitting, but also productivity as an experienced employee leaves. 

As a flourishing company, it's important to minimize losses in both money and productivity caused by employee turnover. One effective way to do this is by prioritizing employee engagement. According to Gallup, employees who are positively engaged in their work tend to deliver better results, have a stronger likelihood of remaining with their organization, and experience less burnout. 

How to Build a Culture of Engagement in the Workplace

It might surprise you, but disengaged employees cost companies up to $550 billion yearly in the U.S. alone. Building a culture of engagement in the workplace is not easy, to say the least, given the diversity of workers, work demands, and more. We get that, which is why we share with you five actionable suggestions on how to boost engagement in your workplace below. 

1. Keep a Positive Workplace Environment

Throughout corporate history, initiatives and projects that promote fun and excitement in the workplace have been commonly facilitated. Some examples of these projects include happy hours, work-life balance activities, company outing events, and more. While these endeavors serve multiple objectives, including boosting morale or rewarding employees, the majority of them are primarily focused on cultivating a positive work environment.

When a workplace fosters a positive environment, workers can feel more relaxed and engaged and have a friendly attitude toward each other. Not only will this environment improve employee relationships and engagement, but can also also contribute to better productivity. As per a University of Oxford report, happy workers exhibit a 13% boost in productivity.

2. Acknowledge Your Workers’ Efforts

Acknowledging workers’ efforts and accomplishments goes beyond boosting their job satisfaction. This can also have a profound impact on their engagement. As a matter of fact, research suggests that when employees are recognized, they are 2.7 times more likely to be engaged. Besides engagement, recognizing a worker’s effort can improve team culture and employee retention. Some ways to acknowledge your workers’ efforts include verbally congratulating them and offering some incentives or rewards. 

3. Involve Employees in Decision-Making

Involving employees in decision-making shows that you trust and value your workers’ inputs and opinions. This empowers and encourages them to become more active and engaged in their work. In a study by Eurofound, nearly half of the employees (47%) working in a high-involvement organization report a high level of work engagement.

In addition to engagement, taking into account the input of employees can help in making better decisions that can guarantee more effective results. Furthermore, by giving your employees a chance to share their ideas, you can enhance their problem-solving skills and improve communication in the company. 

4. Offer Health and Wellness Benefits

By improving your business's health and wellness benefits program, employees can have a sense of security and confidence that the company is concerned about their well-being. In turn, employees value their jobs more and have more dedication to their work. Additionally, these benefits can help in employee retention and attracting new talent. 

5. Build a Relationship With Employees

Building a relationship with employees sends a strong message of appreciation and value. As you nurture connections, you can support and understand your workers better and cultivate a lasting relationship with them. This can help workers feel relaxed and comfortable to engage within the organization. 

To build a relationship with employees, it is essential to create a sense of belonging for everyone. As a manager or business owner, it is crucial to acknowledge each opinion and keep open communication. However, do note that drawing a line between personal and professional matters is also critical. 

Keep Your Staff Engaged With StaffConnect

Developing and sustaining engagement in the workplace takes dedication, effort, and time. Luckily, there are technological advancements that can provide assistance, such as business management applications like StaffConnect.

StaffConnect is a business management software with tools that boost workflow efficiency and productivity. It is designed with the latest automation technology to help you save time and effort in daily work tasks and create a stress-free and effective workplace. Our app is also equipped with essential communication tools to support workplace communication and engagement. 

Feeling curious about how StaffConnect can help improve engagement in your workplace? Book a free demo here and test our app at no cost.