April 2022 saw the Great Resignation at its peak, with millions of people resigning from their jobs. It brought home the fact that employees need more than just good wages to be happy and content at work. In fact, according to this survey, about 40% of employees across industries have considered quitting because they want greater flexibility and healthier environments, along with fair and reasonable compensation. In essence, they want to be engaged with their organizations, their teams and colleagues and have a sense of belonging when working.
While employee engagement is an excellent way of gauging work satisfaction, does it really translate into better performance?
The simple answer is ‘yes!’ — but it’s a tad more nuanced than that. Let’s dive into the why and wherefores.
WHAT IS EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT?
Employee engagement, a human resources (HR) concept, relates to the level of enthusiasm and dedication employees feel toward their job. Employees who are engaged care about their work and the performance of the company. Employees who are in it beyond monetary returns and consider their well-being as well as their performance are known as engaged employees.
WHY IS EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT IMPORTANT?
Apart from simply knowing your employees are happy, employee engagement also helps in the following key areas of any organization:
PRODUCTIVITY
Employee engagement is directly related to job satisfaction and morale. Engaged employees are statistically more inclined to be productive, perform well, and commit to the company’s values and goals.
PROFITABILITY
It has also been proven that having a long-term employee is more profitable than having new hires. Engaged and satisfied employees will tend to work for you for longer and less turnover means more profitability!
EMPLOYEE RETENTION
Not to forget, a company’s reputation not only depends on its sales and performance but also its employee satisfaction and retention.
ABSENTEEISM
Committed employees are more likely to show up and work hard to meet their goals. The Gallup found that companies with employees who are engaged see 41% lower absenteeism than other companies.
WHAT HELPS EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT?
While it may seem challenging to change employees’ attitudes towards their jobs, a few methods of encouragement often do the trick. These include:
CLEAR COMMUNICATION
One of the best ways to keep your employees engaged is by communicating with them. Ensure you talk about your expectations clearly. Besides that, informing employees about a company’s performance and providing timely, constructive feedback has also been known to have an impact.
REWARD HARD WORK
Offering incentives is one of the easiest ways to motivate your employees after they complete challenging work. But that just doesn’t account for one-time rewards.
Regular promotions, leaves when needed, and an excellent health plan — all these factors work in tandem to build employee engagement. While this should go without saying, it’s still of utmost importance — making employees feel valued, respected and hearing them out also helps them feel appreciated and motivates them to stick around for longer.
MOTIVATE YOUR TEAM LEADS
Your employees will only feel motivated to work if the management is motivated. The team’s relationship with leadership can drive engagement. Everyone wants a supportive leader who puts people first, values employee contributions, and shows integrity.
ENGAGE IN TEAM BUILDING ACTIVITIES
It’s no secret that team building gives members a sense of accomplishment, especially when they work in a group to accomplish a challenging task. When everyone puts their thoughts, ideas, and problem-solving skills to the test, it adds to their repertoire.
Moreover, it’s an excellent icebreaker! Employees will interact with each other and mingle with other teams as well.
TEAM BUILDING ACTIVITIES THAT HELP WITH EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT
CELEBRATE PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL MILESTONES
Every accomplishment — both big and small — can be celebrated! Highlighting achievements, taking time to acknowledge birthdays in the office, and celebrating promotions are some popular ways to do that.
That said, no matter what you do, people will leave for better opportunities. Don’t be disheartened. Instead, celebrate their time by hosting a farewell and giving them credit where it’s due. If your employee ever has to return, there will be no hard feelings and they will be more inclined to refer others to your company.
ENCOURAGE LEARNING
Holding regular training sessions not only helps employees learn more but also makes them feel satisfied and ready to face new challenges. Hosting conferences and networking events also helps employees meet with other teams and departments, helping them understand the productivity cycle.
This is also an excellent way to help employees know their role in the company better and help them feel more responsible. Needless to say, promotions and lateral movements become much easier.
HOST TEAM ACTIVITIES
There are many activities that are interesting enough to get employees to socialize outside of the office. You don’t necessarily need a special occasion. Additionally, taking turns choosing a group activity is also a great idea. This way, everyone has something to bring to the table, and no one feels stuck doing things they don’t like.
TEAM ACTIVITY IDEAS
THE GOOD OL’ HAPPY HOUR
Who doesn’t love a good deal? Plan an outing to your local pub for some drinks! Socializing outside the office encourages employees to get to know each other better and build a rapport. Many bars and breweries now offer non-alcoholic options so everyone can feel included.
SPECIAL DAYS
Have something fun planned, like “Bring Your Pet to Work Day,” “Flannel Wednesdays,” or themed days. Activities like these can make work fun and encourage people to mingle, exchange ideas, and take a much-needed break from the monotony at work.
AXE THROWING AT FLANNELJAX’S!
Ok, we might be biased but hear us out. We at FlannelJax’s (located in St. Paul, MN; Madison, WI; and Grand Rapids, MI) host axe throwing for individuals, groups, and corporate parties. Axe throwing is different, exhilarating, and completely safe! FlannelJax’s has trained lumberjacks to ensure your safety while you connect with your team and take part in this exciting activity.
Our axe throwing centers collaborate with local restaurants for a culinary feast! Delivery and catering is available and we can help you coordinate if you need some assistance. Also, all of our locations have their liquor license so you can throw one back while you throw an axe!
IN CONCLUSION
Employee engagement not only indicates the enthusiasm and dedication a worker feels but also the performance of the company. Factors like communication, rewards, and motivating employees contribute to employee satisfaction. Those engaged will be more productive, which helps with the company’s profits. This also promotes employee retention and reduces absenteeism.
Making employees feel appreciated, celebrating their milestones, encouraging learning, and hosting activities together are excellent ways to build engagement.
If you are looking for an out-of-the-box activity, don’t forget to check out FlannelJax! Our axe throwing centers have many team-building games and activities to choose from and is something all team members can enjoy together. Let us help you get started by claiming your lane today!!
