Why Do Employers Today Want Employee Engagement?

It would appear that the economy is starting to improve through various market indicators.  With this improvement comes increased competition and the turnover by key staff.  The engagement of employees and the reduction of turnover is very important for companies today and in the future.  An engaged workforce will assist companies in remaining competitive and productive.  Key elements of employee engagement are found in three main drivers of success.  These include:

Strong Employee/Management Relations:  An important driver of employee engagement is the individual employee’s relationship to their manger.  Is their manager supportive, an effective coach, honest and represents the high ethical values of the organization?   A manager that embodies these key elements will be a partner with the employee and secure their engagement.

Effective Communication:  Understanding how the company operates and the strategy for the future will allow the employee to become more engaged in the success of the organization by understanding where the company wants to be in the future.  Effective communication includes sharing the business plan and strategy, new products, financial performance and the vision for the future.

Job Satisfaction:  When employees at different levels in the organization enjoy the job and view their role at the company as challenging and contributing to the success of the company engaged employees are more included to give 110%, look for new ideas and be more creative.

Clearly, employee engagement is an important tool for the leaders of companies today to embrace and support.

Why Do Employers Today Want to Conduct an Employee Engagement Survey?

Today with employee access to the Internet readily available either through a personal work computer, the library or a company kiosk more employers today are able to devote the time and resources to find out what their employees are thinking.  Because surveys are quick and easy to administer company’s can obtain an accurate assessment of the organizational “climate” – What’s working well, and where do we need to improve? 

Employers are also finding out through an electronic based on-boarding survey what new hires are thinking in the first 60 to 90 days of employment or through an off-boarding survey ways to reduce turnover or find out if a specific department is experiencing management challenges.  Employee feedback will allow you to determine where you need to modify, eliminate or enhance HR programs.  Progressive organizations are utilizing this tool to make their work environment more aligned with employee expectations and the company’s financial resources.