How to boost employee engagement in the workplace

What is employee engagement?

Employee engagement is more than just a buzzword - it’s a complex psychological state that affects employee satisfaction, employee retention, and ultimately, business success. 

As defined by burnout researcher Christina Maslach, employee engagement involves three key components: vigour, dedication, and absorption. In essence, employee engagement is the deep sense of connection to one's work, high motivation to succeed, and the sense of immersion that keeps workers engaged and focused.

Why is it important?

A comprehensive meta-analysis conducted by Gallup, which analyzed data from 339 research studies across 230 organisations in 49 industries and involving employees from 73 countries, has demonstrated a clear link between employee engagement and business performance. Specifically, the study revealed that business units with top-quartile engagement scores achieved 41% lower absenteeism and 21% higher profitability than their bottom-quartile counterparts. 

A separate investigation has shown that organisations with highly-engaged employees enjoyed seven times greater five-year total shareholder return (TSR) than those with less-engaged employees, highlighting the significant financial benefits of a committed and motivated workforce.

Despite the clear and compelling business case for high levels of engagement, studies consistently show that the majority of employees in most businesses are not actively engaged. Towers Perrin Global Workforce report found that only 35% of the workforce is actively engaged. 

“Tower Perrin Global Workforce report found that only 35% of the workforce is actively engaged.”

Six factors that affect employee engagement

To understand what drives employee performance, it's important to examine the factors that influence it. Here are six key dimensions that have a profound impact on employee engagement:

Decision-making authority: the level of autonomy and control an employee has over their work-related decisions and actions.

Opportunities for growth and development: the resources, training, and advancement possibilities that enable employees to enhance their skills, knowledge, and career prospects within the organization.

Empowerment and fair treatment: empowering employees to make decisions and take actions that impact their work, while treating them with fairness, equity, and respect.

Employee’s perception of their own work: the subjective evaluation of an individual's job tasks and responsibilities, and how they contribute to achieving personal and organisational goals.

Employee attitude: how employees feel about their work, colleagues, and the organisation as a whole.

Employee loyalty: the level of commitment and investment an employee has in the success of their employer.

How to boost employee engagement

Empower employees to make decisions

Employees are more engaged when they feel like they have a say in how things are done. This can be achieved by involving employees in decision-making processes, giving them autonomy in their roles, and encouraging them to take ownership of their work.

Offer opportunities for growth and development

Employees are more engaged when they feel like they are learning and growing in their roles. This can be achieved through training programs, mentorship opportunities, and regular performance evaluations. 

Give employees meaningful work opportunities

Employees are more engaged when their work aligns with their interests and values. Make sure you provide recognition, set clear expectations and goals, and involve them in business processes and decisions.

Provide regular opportunities for social interaction

Employees are more engaged when they feel like they have a sense of community at work. This can be achieved through regular team lunches, after-work events, and company-wide gatherings.

Foster a positive work-life balance

Employees are more engaged when they feel like they have a healthy balance between their work and personal lives. This can be achieved through flexible scheduling, telecommuting options, and vacation policies.

Show genuine interest in employee wellbeing

Employees are more engaged when they feel like their company cares about their wellbeing. This can be achieved through offering health and wellness programs, providing counselling services, and encouraging employees to take mental health days. 

Learn how mental health services can enhance your business by booking a free consultancy session with our expert team.