10 Ways to Boost Workplace Engagement

Boosting engagement in the workplace should be a number one priority for all business leaders. Employees that feel secure in their work environment are far more likely to remain engaged with the role and be better able to excel in a wider range of areas. It makes sense for employers to nurture their staff holistically so that they can grow in their roles. The great thing is, boosting engagement is achievable through a variety of methods. This guide has ten impactful solutions for workplace engagement.

Allow Remote and Flexible Working

Since the pandemic times, people have become accustomed to home working. There is always value in holding office days, but allowing remote working has major advantagesfor both company and the employee. People have not wanted the option to be retracted even as life returned to normal. It makes life easier for working parents, is more sustainable owing to the decrease in commuters, and is generally more comfortable for those who may suffer with their mental health. Not everyone will take it, but having the option to work remotely, as long as objectives and targets are being met, will give people back autonomy over their life and therefore keep them engaged with this aspect of it.

Regular Team Meetings

You must keep employees up to date with what’s happening at a business level. It really is that simple. Ones that feel in the dark and are blindsided by corporate decisions higher up are more likely to leave. People who understand the wider strategy, feel involved and valued within that framework, are better at engaging generally. Regular team meetings are a great way to achieve this. There can be a monthly catch up about developments and actions, plus an update on expectations as well.

Providing Healthcare Benefits

Healthcare agendas are not a universal benefit component of the workspace. Yet schemes like the OTC supplemental solutions one are highly renowned for complementing workers’ lifestyles and generally helping them to feel valued. A part of any professional life is benefiting from the complementary workplace schemes offered by the company. When things as important as healthcare are accounted for, people will feel more motivated to stick around because they feel as though their needs are being met across a wider scope.

Pay Incentives

Bonus schemes are always a popular method for boosting engagement. High performance? Pay an incentive reward! It really is that straightforward. The whole team can get involved and benefit from this and it can be applicable at any level of the corporate structure.

Openness and Transparency

Keeping people in the dark breeds discomfort. As mentioned above, regular team meetings and therefore updates on strategies team-wide are beneficial. A managerial structure that fosters transparency will be better respected and maintain a team that actually wants to engage because of mutual loyalty.

Embrace a Culture

The culture of a workspace is pivotal to the success rate of engagement. When people enjoy coming to work because it feels inclusive, diverse, and considered, they are better able to embrace it for everything it is.

Respect the Workers

Respecting people does not come intuitively to everyone. There are often power struggles in a work environment that seep into colleague relationships regardless of rank or stature. Where there is a natural power imbalance, for example, a more experienced supervisor vs. a graduate role, this can be handled with respect and due care.

The culture of work is definitely shifting. There is a widespread revolt against disrespect and lack of value for people’s time. Let’s face it, it has been a long time coming. The mindset of work until you drop is no longer. People are more aware than ever how valuable their hours and skills are and this has brought with it a newfound sense of purpose and resilience.

Regular Training

Engagement with a role is only possible if the person in said role knows what they are doing. When someone feels up to date with practices and expectations, they are more capable of fulfilling the target KPIs and outcomes of the business. Just like a business manager or CEO would attend regular seminars or learning projects, employees should have the opportunity as well. Staying up to date with training, whether that is health and safety, racism and equality, or specific skill building programs, is vital to well-being and meaningful participation in the workplace.

Reciprocal Feedback Programs

Constructive criticism has its place in the world of work. Yet, many companies fail to see the value in reciprocal feedback. Where this is beneficial is when employees feel able to address concerns over management policies and general procedures. An employee that has a voice, is more inclined to engage with what’s around them. Where they are silenced, they will ultimately move on to somewhere new where they feel valued and heard.

It is a healthy practice for those higher up to be accountable for actions and decisions too. Though they are the business leads, their momentum impacts everyone directly in some capacity. If these impacts are felt in deficit, workers should be able to name it to work towards a positive, mutual solution.

Invest In Their Development

Any staff member that begins at an entry level career path has the vision to increase their prospects. If your company has no routes to achieve this, they are more likely to look elsewhere for a higher paying, more experienced role when the time is right. Whereas, a company that strives to invest in its workforce by nurturing talent and giving opportunities to develop organically, has a far higher retention rate.

Offering advanced training schemes, access to further education, and qualification channels is an amazing thing for a company to do. It shows that they are invested in the people that work there, and care about maintaining a strong ethos or loyalty to their members.

Employees need to be looked after within a company. They are the heart and soul of operations and without them, it would be incredibly hard to maintain any channel of respect or reputation. That is why maintaining genuine engagement strategies is essential for every business that has staff on the roster.