Glossary

What is Employee Engagement?

Employee engagement is a term used to describe the level of commitment, passion and motivation that employees have towards their work and company. When employees are engaged, they are more likely to put in extra effort to achieve company goals and objectives.

The definition of employee engagement

Employee engagement is a measure of how motivated, satisfied, and committed employees are to their jobs and workplace. It encompasses both individual and organizational factors that contribute to employee motivation, satisfaction, and commitment.

Employee engagement is essential to the success of any business. Engaged employees are more productive, have better attendance, and are more likely to stay with an organization longer. Additionally, engaged employees are more likely to create a positive work environment for their co-workers, which leads to even higher levels of employee engagement.

Calculate the ROI of Employee Engagement

Our employee engagement ROI calculator helps you determine the ROI of maintaining engaged employees by taking into account variables such as the cost of disengaged employees, the cost of lost productivity, and the potential increase in revenue from more engaged employees.

Improve Employee Engagement

Why is employee engagement important?

Employee engagement is important for many reasons. An engaged employee is someone who is committed to their job and is enthusiastic about their work. Engaged employees are also more likely to be productive, creative, and innovative.

There are many benefits to having an engaged workforce, including:

  • Increased productivity
  • Higher quality of work
  • Lower turnover rates
  • Greater customer satisfaction
  • Improved profitability
  • Enhanced company image and reputation
  • Better safety records
  • Reduced absenteeism
  • Increased employee retention

Additionally, companies with engaged employees tend to experience greater customer satisfaction, improved profitability, and enhanced company image and reputation. Finally, safety records are usually better at companies with high levels of employee engagement, and absenteeism is typically reduced. Ultimately, these benefits lead to increased employee retention.

What are the drivers of employee engagement?

There are many different drivers of employee engagement, but some of the most important include:

  • A clear and inspiring company vision that employees can rally behind
  • Effective leadership at all levels of the organization
  • A culture of open communication and collaboration
  • Opportunities for employees to learn and grow
  • A focus on employee well-being
  • A recognition and reward system that recognizes and reinforces good performance
  • A strong sense of community within the organization

By creating an environment where these drivers are present, companies can create a work setting where employees are more engaged and productive. In turn, this can lead to better business outcomes for the company as a whole.

Why current employee engagement programs aren't working?

The current state of employee engagement is abysmal. Only about 13% of employees worldwide are engaged at work, according to a Gallup study. This means that the vast majority of employees are not emotionally connected to their jobs and are not motivated to do their best work.

There are many reasons why employee engagement programs are not working. First, many companies view engagement as a compliance issue rather than a strategic one. They see it as something that needs to be "fixed" rather than an opportunity to improve performance. Second, most companies focus on the wrong things when it comes to engagement. They often try to increase engagement by offering perks and benefits, rather than focusing on creating a culture of trust, respect, and empowerment. Third, many companies don't have a clear plan for how to measure and improve engagement. They lack the data and tools necessary to track progress and make meaningful changes.

If your company is struggling with engagement, it's time to rethink your approach. The first step is to understand why engagement matters and how it can impact your business. Then, you need to focus on the right things, like creating a culture of trust and respect.

Finally, you need to invest in the tools and data necessary to track engagement and make improvements over time. With the right strategy in place, you can start to turn things around and create an engaged workforce that drives results.

Are employee engagement surveys effective?

The purpose of employee engagement surveys is to collect feedback from employees about their work experiences. This feedback can be used to improve the workplace and make it more enjoyable for everyone. However, some people question the effectiveness of these surveys. Do they really provide valuable information? Or are they just a waste of time? Let's take a closer look at both sides of the argument.

The main benefit of employee engagement surveys is that they help businesses identify areas where improvement is needed. For example, if employees are unhappy with their workload, the company can make changes to alleviate the problem. Surveys can also reveal issues that employees may be reluctant to bring up on their own, such as harassment or discrimination. By collecting this important feedback, businesses can make changes to create a better work environment for everyone.

However, some people argue that employee engagement surveys are not effective. They claim that the results are often skewed because only a small percentage of employees bother to fill out the survey. Additionally, some employees may not be honest when answering the questions, which can lead to inaccurate results. Finally, even if the results are accurate, it can be difficult to translate them into meaningful action. For example, if employees say they are unhappy with their workload, it is not always clear how the company can reduce that workload without negatively impacting other areas of the business.

At the end of the day, it is up to each business to decide whether or not employee engagement surveys.

Employee engagement examples: Three types of employees

Engaged:  The engaged employee is one who is highly motivated and invested in their work. They are constantly looking for ways to improve their skills and contribute to the company. This type of employee is a valuable asset to any organization.

Not Engaged: The not engaged employee is one who is uninterested and uninvolved in their work. They may be satisfied with their current position and have no desire to advance or improve their skills. This type of employee can be a drag on morale and may eventually leave the company.

Disengaged: The disengaged employee is one who is actively unhappy with their work. They may be dissatisfied with their pay, benefits, or working conditions. This type of employee can be disruptive and may damage morale. If you have disengaged employees, it is important to address the root causes of their dissatisfaction.

Building a culture of engagement is essential to the success of any organization. By understanding the different types of employees, you can create a work environment that fosters engagement and motivation. With engaged employees, you will have a workforce that is committed to your company's success.

What's the difference between employee engagement and employee experience?

The employee experience is the overall journey that your employees have with your company, from their first day on the job to their last. It encompasses everything they do, see, and feel while they're working for you.

Employee engagement, on the other hand, is a measure of how connected and invested employees are in their work and workplace. It's about how engaged they are with their jobs and whether they feel like they're doing meaningful work that aligns with their personal values.

While the two concepts are closely related, they're not the same thing. The employee experience is the bigger picture; employee engagement is just one piece of it. And while employee engagement is important, it's not the only factor that contributes to a positive employee experience. Other factors, like company culture and leadership, also play a role.

How addressing DEI helps improve employee engagement

There's a growing body of research that shows how diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives can improve employee engagement. A recent study by Glassdoor found that 76% of employees say that a diverse workforce is an important factor when considering whether to accept a job offer. And once they're on the job, employees who work in diverse teams are more engaged than those who don't.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are important for many reasons, but one of the most important is that they make employees feel like they belong. When employees feel like they belong, they're more likely to be engaged with their work. They're also more likely to stay with your company longer and be more productive while they're there.

So if you're looking for ways to improve employee engagement, addressing DEI is a good place to start. By creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace, you can make all your employees feel like they belong—and that's good for business.

The All-In-One
Employee Relations Platform

Give your employees a safe space to speak up.
Protect your organization with anonymous reporting.
Learn More
Workplace investigations made easy.
Streamline workflows with AllVoices’ workplace investigations solution.
Learn More
The Easiest Way To Manage Employee Relations Issues.
Collect, manage, and resolve workplace issues all in one place.
Learn More
Uncover and resolve workplace issues with AI.
Meet Vera, your AI-powered employee relations assistant.
Learn More

Read Our Latest Articles

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.