Well, maybe not entirely free, but it certainly isn’t as expensive as you think! It’s a no-brainer to say that employee engagement is essential to the success of any organisation. Engaged employees are more productive, more satisfied with their jobs, and more likely to stay with the company long-term.
Unfortunately, many organisations struggle to improve employee engagement because they believe that it requires a large budget or significant investment of resources. Companies like Google and Facebook have led us to believe that we have to provide free canteens, massages, and bouncy castles to make our employees feel engaged. Most companies do not have the resources of big tech and, as a result, often give up and simply do nothing at all in the engagement space. The truth is, there are several effective ways to boost employee engagement without spending a penny. Here are some strategies that you can implement today:
Give Employees More Autonomy
Employees have more ownership over their work and are more likely to be engaged when they have greater authority. This is because autonomy allows employees to use their skills and knowledge to solve problems and make decisions. As Daniel H. Pink writes in his book, “Drive,” when employees have a sense of control over their work, they feel more invested in the outcomes, which can lead to greater job satisfaction and motivation. According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), employees who feel they have control over how they do their work are 20% more likely to feel engaged and committed to their jobs.
To provide employees with more autonomy, you can start by delegating tasks and projects that allow them to use their unique skills and expertise. Encourage them to take the lead on projects they are passionate about, and give them the freedom to make decisions about how to approach their work. By providing opportunities for employees to use their creativity and expertise, you can help them feel more invested in their work and ultimately increase engagement.
It’s important to note that providing autonomy doesn’t mean giving employees a free pass to do whatever they want. You still need to set clear expectations and provide guidance and support to ensure that employees are working toward the organization’s goals. However, by giving employees more autonomy within those parameters, you can help them feel more empowered and engaged.
In addition, providing autonomy can also help to foster a culture of trust and respect. When employees feel that their ideas and opinions are valued, they are more likely to contribute to the organization in meaningful ways. This can help to create a positive workplace culture that supports engagement and innovation.
Recognise and Celebrate Achievements
Even the deepest introverts appreciate recognition for their hard work (albeit done in the right way!). It costs nothing to recognise and celebrate the achievements of employees, but it can have a significant impact on engagement. Often, as simple, private “thank you’ can be enough (especially for the introverts), but If you want to make a bigger show out of it, consider creating an employee recognition program that acknowledges outstanding performance, such as a “employee of the month” award or a public shout-out during team meetings. Of course, if you do have some budget available, small tokens of appreciation can also be handed out during such initiatives.
Encourage Collaboration
Collaboration is a great way to boost employee engagement. A survey by TINYpulse found that 64% of employees who feel that their company encourages and fosters teamwork are highly engaged. While research by Deloitte found that companies that prioritise collaboration have 30% lower turnover rates than those that do not prioritise collaboration.
Cross-functional teams, if set up properly, can be a great way to enable collaboration and get people from different parts of the business to work on projects or tasks with people they would not normally work with. More “fun” initiatives, such as team-building sessions, also encourage positive interactions between employees.
Provide Opportunities for Growth
Nothing disengages employees faster than the feeling of being stuck in a dead-end job. Even if these employees don’t (or can’t) leave, they are unlikely to ever tick the top box on your engagement surveys. Helping these employees to grow through training and development, can help them develop their skills and feel more invested in their jobs. This can also help to boost retention rates, as employees are more likely to stay with a company that invests in their professional development.
These are just a few ideas to highlight that increasing employee engagement doesn’t have to break the bank. By giving employees more autonomy, recognising and celebrating achievements, encouraging collaboration, and providing opportunities for growth, it is possible to create an engaged and motivated workforce.
Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried any of these successfully.
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Sources
Cover photo by Sam Balye on Unsplash
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) “Creating a Culture of Innovation: Unlocking the Potential of Your Workforce,” (2015)
TINYpulse “The Top 10 Employee Engagement Statistics for 2020“
Deloitte: “The Collaborative Enterprise” by Deloitte, published in 2016.
