Over the last year, business owners had to make drastic changes to their strategies, workplace, and workforce. Aside from the business itself, those changes inevitably affected the overall work experience. Many had to navigate working from home while helping their children study online, adjust to doing tasks remotely, and some even lost their jobs. Now, with things starting to slowly go back to normal and workplaces beginning to reopen their doors, those changes will once again affect employee experience.

This is why employee engagement is more important now than ever.

What is employee engagement?

Employee engagement is the emotional connection or commitment that an employee has to their organization, and the organization’s vision and goals. It is very different from employee satisfaction, as it has nothing to do with high salaries or simply thanking an employee after a long day of work. Employee engagement is about showing value and making your employee feel as if they are a vital part of your company’s success. It is understanding their needs and being willing to listen to their concerns.

During the past year, some of your employees may have felt isolated, worried, and/or anxious about their future in your organization. As you prepare to welcome them back into your company, it is critical to make employee engagement a priority.

Why is employee engagement so important?

An engaged employee is committed to their work. For an engaged employee, working for you is more than just a paycheck – it is something they are dedicated and passionate about, which can very often reflect on their personal and your company’s success.

One of the keys to employee engagement is communication. When you offer clear, precise, and honest information to your employee, you are building trust and a strong relationship with them. Often, business owners assume that engagement is only about salary and compensation. However, most of the time, connection, communication, and engagement is what employees value the most.

A study conducted by the MSW Research and Dale Carnegie Training concluded that there are three things that directly impact employee engagement:

1. Employee relationships with the management team
2. Employee trust in the company’s leadership
3. Employee pride in being part of the company

It is important that employers find a balance to provide their employees appropriate compensation but also manage their relationships and ensure that they trust them and can see themselves growing in their company.

Although 2020 was a very difficult year, we are finally taking steps to leave it behind. Make sure to consider employee engagement when welcoming employees back into your organization’s workplace. At BTA, we understand that leadership comes with challenges and responsibilities – which is why we are here to help your business every step of the way. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn for more updates.