Why employee engagement matters
There is a lot of interest in the business world to increase employee engagement. When employees are actively involved in their workplace, including having access to resources and incentives, they tend to be happier. In turn, this leads to greater productivity on the job. In a recent Gallup poll, 78 percent of employees are dis-engaged, causing businesses to lose $350 billion in revenues each year.
Dale Carnegie Institute’s 2013 report “placed the number of “fully engaged” employees at 29%, and “disengaged” employees at 26% – meaning nearly three-quarters of employees are not fully engaged.” (Source, Forbes Magazine) Clearly, it’s important for companies to create systems that help employees become more engaged in both their jobs and the company objectives.
What factors can increase employee engagement?
To best define engagement, try to imagine what the average employee experiences. From the first contact of applying for an assignment and getting interviewed to the initial days on the job, employees get an idea of what the company is about. The good news is that there are several factors that can help to increase employee engagement, as illustrated in the infographic above.
- Flexible Schedules – When employees are asked what they like best about their jobs, oftentimes they will state that having the ability to work a flexible schedule is a major plus to their happiness.
- Calm Work Spaces – No employee can function well when forced into a tiny cubicle, which acts as a prison of sorts. Instead, employees who are allowed casual and open workplaces where they can be inspired tend to be more productive.
- Personal Communication – From handwritten thank you letters to corporate correspondence from the HR department, all of this can be managed in a way that lets employees know they matter.
- Option to Telecommute – Modern day employers use a variety of cloud technology and mobile apps that allow employees who wish to work from remote locations to do so. This improves-work life balance and can support productivity.
Take a look at the above statistics, gathered in 2012 by Tempkin Group as they studied a random population of over 2,000 US employees. These characteristics demonstrate what happens when employees are happy. You can also see the 2013 Employee Engagement Benchmark Study if you want more information.
How can an HRMS support employee engagement?
There are several ways that a Human Resource Management System (HRMS) can give any employer a leg up with employee engagement initiatives. By streamlining multiple employee processes and communication through one central HRMS, employees can gain access to the resources and information they need to be successful. And this successful attitude from being more connected to the company objectives breeds happiness and more engagement in the work they do. A customized HRMS can help make transitions from candidates to employees to more developed professionals over time. This experience should be seamless and give access to a wide range of perks, including the ones mentioned above.
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