Employee engagement is a term that has been overused in Singapore. Non performing employees are often described as “disengaged”. Managers were told to engage their staffs to reduce turnover. Management gurus refer to it as an approach to motivate employees to contribute to the success of the organization and to ensure that employees are committed to achieving organizational goals.
So what exactly is Employees’ Engagement? It can also be defined as the emotional commitment the employee has to the organization and its goals. Engaged employees are high in energy and resilience, dedicated and focus.
The most important reason for employee engagement is its direct positive impact on performance, productivity and teamwork. Disengaged employees are easily distracted, uncommitted and/or unmotivated to improve.
Companies engage their employees in many ways. They can
- Demonstrate appreciation for contributions through recognitions.
- Communicate frequently and regularly through various channels while consciously remove barriers to communication,
- Encourage social interaction outside work to foster stronger ties within the team.
- Support the development of employees’ career
- Take the extra effort to understand employees’ thinking and needs
Employee engagement motivates staffs to give their best to the organization as they have been “equipped adequately” to perform tasks. It forms a vital part of talent retention strategy.