Considering that happiness has proven to be a contributing factor to productivity, it’s surprising to see how many business leaders aren’t focused on keeping staff engaged.
A 2019 survey of more than 1,000 organisations, by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), found that management style was listed as one of the top three causes of stress by 43% of respondents.
We spoke to Julie Weaver, Founder of Impact HR, for her take on the matter and to understand the risks to businesses that struggle engaging their staff.
What Employee Engagement Really Means
“It is engagement that pulls everything together and essentially means a business can be successful,” Julie explains.
“It’s not just about having the people there, it’s about how you engage them. That’s what makes a difference.”
“Ultimately, the reason that you are looking to engage employees is about motivation, morale and making sure people enjoy their job – if people are happy, they will want your business to succeed, and to be part of it”
Julie Weaver, Impact HR
“There’s a whole raft of things that every individual looks for from their employer and everybody needs something slightly different based on them as an individual.”
Increased productivity may be the reason for businesses looking to engage their employees but there are risks to businesses that don’t. For Julie, there are two particular dangers that employers should consider.
“Firstly, you might hack people off and they leave, resulting in your talent walking out the door,” Julie warns.
“What’s worse is when people are completely frustrated and don’t leave. That has the greatest impact on productivity and creativity.”
“When they’re talking to their friends and family, they won’t be telling good stories about their employer — that reputational damage can be huge for a business.”
Improving Engagement
Whilst the risks could be costly, acting on engagement might be more affordable than you think.
“I’m used to working with limited budgets when it comes to employee engagement.”
“Not all companies need a big budget,” Julie concludes. “All I need is for a business and its managers to be open to seeing the things we can do differently, and committing to them.”
Julie’s top three tips to improve employee engagement today:
- Communicate with people more – involve them in the conversation
- Recognise successes and celebrate them – no matter how small
- Help your employees to understand the purpose and mission of your organisation
For more information on how Julie can help engage your team, please email her or call 07894 704076.
