How Employee Engagement Leads to a More Productive Workforce?
Tips To Create A More Productive Workforce
It is not uncommon to see employees feeling dejected and depressed which leaves a negative impact on their work performance and resultant productivity. The first thing that comes to mind when seeing such a state is employees feeling disengaged with what they are doing. It is here where a leader or manager has to play a vital role and focus on employee engagement. Productivity can only be improved if the workforce is happy and content. Studies indicate workers choosing happiness over money or increased salary at a workplace that keeps them motivated.
What is employee engagement?
Employee engagement is one of the most significant factors that help in ensuring a productive workforce as retaining and developing them costs far lesser than replacing them. The workers or employees will stay in a company for a long time if they feel appreciated and valued.
A worker who is happy, content, and satisfied will take less time off sick, work harder, enjoy good mental health, indulge ineffective communication, create close working relationships and more. Happy staff will also spread happiness all around keeping others happy and content. This proves to be very important in tougher times, especially when the company is grappling with a lot of challenges. All these benefits thus stress the importance of employee engagement. Focusing on this aspect can help in creating an efficient and resilient working atmosphere.
With the cut-throat competition becoming the norm today, having trust in management has hit an all-time low and it is hard time management start working on ways to build trust with employees and keep them engaged, motivated, and effectively retained in the workforce.
Here, we bring you a few tips that can help in improving employee engagement and how it can result in a productive workforce.
1. Making the Right Recruitment Decisions
It is significant to make the right recruitment choices from the outset while giving due consideration to company culture. Some people have the tenacity to work under tremendous pressure in a deadline-based environment while so a person may not be able to cope up with it and feel unhappy and discontent all the time. Allow employees to have excellent relationships with their co-employees because friendships also lead to employee engagement.
Companies usually hire people that gels well with the organizational culture and brings a diverse skill set to the mix creating value for the organization. It also helps in promoting growth across all angles.
When hiring people, go for a fun-based orientation process and innovative onboarding that is in sync with company culture. This proves to be an icebreaker helping new recruits to get friendly with each other and get a first-hand idea about the organization culture.
2. Plan Interesting Activities
It is important to plan regular outings and team building activities that bring people closer to each other and keep them happy. Regular social get-togethers also influence their mindset and promote employee engagement. Such a workforce work with greater synergies and focus resulting in increased overall productivity. As per a famous adage, all-time work and no play surely make a person dull and disengaged. Thus, regular planning of such activities is a must as it is sure to keep employees in high spirits.
3. An Area for Hanging Out
Every the office must have an area earmarked for employees who can have their lunches together and generally hang out with each other. This place can be a social area which helps employees to forget about pressing deadlines and work challenges for some time and relax. Such short breaks help them to recharge their batteries and get back to work with doubled efforts and focus. This has a direct impact on increased work productivity. If the budget allows, a few pool tables dart boards, games systems, etc., can also be kept here that encourages staff interaction. This creates healthy teamwork and competitive environment.
4. Regular Sports Days or Activities
Every company must encourage sports among its employees. Playing any sport of choice has a very positive impact on the employees. A sports day can be organised, or competition may be held from time to time. This not only encourages employees to stay active and healthy but also has a direct impact on learning teamwork. It also helps improve staff relationships. Thus, many companies organise stable military exercises or some sports tournaments that boost the confidence and morale of the employees. It also helps in encouraging them to share their skills and knowledge. Light-hearted and fun team building activities also serve the purpose.
5. Help them Stay in Sync with Company Goals
It is important for the managers and leaders to share company goals and objectives with the employees. This helps them to focus their efforts and activities towards achieving them and become an integral part of the team. It will also help employees align their individual goals and objectives with company goals and objectives thus both grow together. A directionless team cannot achieve anything and might feel disengaged. Thus, it is important to address this issue.
6. Positive Feedback and Appreciation
Managers must appreciate good efforts of employees as it will encourage them to work harder. When they feel valued, they put in more efforts which ensure better work performance.
Thus, keeping employees engaged has a direct impact on improved work performance.
