Employee Engagement is More Than Just Perks

One of the “hot” HR topics of the moment is Employee Engagement.  What is it and how do companies engage employees?

Employee engagement is the mutual commitment between an organization and the employee.  Terms such as “employee experience”, “employee satisfaction”, and “employee morale” are similar terms.  The thought is that engaged employees are committed to the interests of their companies and will demonstrate higher productivity and higher retention.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the current National Unemployment rate is 4.1% and 3.7% in the State of Florida.  With such low unemployment numbers, companies want to retain their employees and reduce turnover.  One way to accomplish this is through engaging, motivating, recognizing and rewarding your staff.

Getting Employees Engaged

If an engaged workforce is so important to a company’s success, how do HR professionals and managers reach this goal?

This Dale Carnegie White Paper on “What Drives Employee Engagement and Why it Matters” states 3 key drivers of employee engagement are:

1. Relationship with Immediate Supervisor
2. Belief in Senior Leadership
3. Pride in working for the company

It’s all about the people in your organization.  Find out about your employees.  Talk to them.  Interact with them.  If you genuinely care about your employees as a whole person, they will work harder for you.  They will be committed.  They will be satisfied.  They will be engaged.

1. Reward and Recognition

Recognition and Rewards are one way to address satisfaction.  At Landrum HR Solutions, we have a peer recognition program called “Landygram” where employees can submit recognition to another employee(s) for going above and beyond or a job well done.

This recognition goes to the employee’s manager and is made public as well.  We also celebrate birthdays and work anniversaries on our internal website and monthly staff meetings.  There are also a variety of company-wide celebrations for milestone work anniversaries, weddings and baby showers.

2. Opportunities to Give Back

Landrum HR Solutions also has community service opportunities such as volunteering for United Way of Escambia County’s “Day of Caring.”  Food bank drives and fun company fundraisers (such as jeans day or basket raffles) for different local charities.  Working for a company that emphasizes social responsibility gives employees a sense of pride and involvement in the community.  This in turn may align with your values which increases the commitment to your job and company.

3. Thoughtful Onboarding

During on-boarding of new employees it may be helpful to have them complete an interest survey.  Questions such as:

1. What is your favorite restaurant?
2. What is your favorite candy?
3. What is your favorite flower?
4. What are your hobbies?

Managers can refer to this list when recognizing and rewarding employees.  Peer and company recognition is one driver of employee engagement. Need help with great ideas for new employee onboarding? This LinkedIn resource can help.

4. Tangible Rewards

Intrinsic and tangible rewards can be another motivating factor towards employee satisfaction.  Offer a range and variety of rewards such as a thank you note, movie tickets, breakfast, gift cards, event tickets, paid time off, employee appreciation day (BBQ, pizza party, ice cream party).

A rewards & recognition program is one way towards increasing employee engagement, but it is much more than what you can give your employees. Employees want to be treated with respect and care.  They want to share ideas in a positive environment.

Employees want to build bonds with their co-workers and work towards a common goal. Employee engagement will continue to be a focus in this changing workforce and job market. What are your thoughts on this topic?  What ways does your company address employee engagement? I would love to hear your ideas and comments.

Need help creating a customized plan to get your team engaged? Maybe you’d like to take your company’s pulse by performing an employee engagement survey?

Contact us today!