How to achieve success through engagement

Employee engagement is crucial to efficiency. Some of the benefits of effective engagement include: lower turnover, burnout, and stress, and higher productivity and mental wellbeing.

People Insight discussed the top trending engagement drivers in their Which trends are driving engagement now? report.

The five trends discussed are:

1. Supporting employees through a cost-of-living crisis

Inflation and the record-high costs of living have been making the news for some time now. Some goods and services have increased in price by over 200 per cent.

With this in mind, People Insight said that supporting employees during times of economic hardship is key to engagement.

You can help workers with financial issues by offering rewards such as free meals, increasing benefits, and financial support.

People Insight said it’s important to promote a healthy culture where people feel like they can reach out and ask for assistance.

2. Expanding your wellbeing program

Happy workers are better workers, and according to the Black Dog Institute, one in six Australians are suffering from mental ill health.

Furthermore, mental health conditions are costing the Australian economy between $11 and $12 billion annually.

People Insight said that it’s important for businesses to address issues with poor wellbeing and promote a healthy work environment.

This can be achieved through initiatives such as:

• Staff counselling
• Encouraging conversation
• Gym memberships
• Financial education
• Not overworking employees

3. Creating better-connected hybrid workers

With hybrid working becoming the norm in recent years, employers should be doing all they can to adapt to this new world of work by ensuring their staff are set up properly for remote work.

People Insight noted that a great consideration for businesses that have hybrid working options is the introduction of a chief remote officer to oversee those working from home.

Making sure leaders are regularly connecting with staff and still providing options for learning and development, as well as the equipment necessary to complete their work, is also important.

4. More targeted support for women in the workplace

People Insight referenced in Which trends are driving engagement now?, a McKinsey report that discusses “The Great Breakup”.

This term is what McKinsey is saying as a mass exiting of women workers who are leaving roles as they feel unappreciated and are being mistreated.

People Insight said this could be an issue in 2023 if not rectified by organisations.

Some ways to support women in the workplace are:

• Consultation with employees to address issues
• Providing equal opportunities for both men and women
• Address problems that may have arisen during the pandemic and the rise of hybrid work
• Look into an expansion of policy to support women, such as menopause leave.

5. Building a culture of accountability

Accountability culture refers to an organisation that prioritises discussion, teamwork, and focus on companywide results rather than individual fault or achievement.

People Insight said that this type of business model results in better productivity, growth, retention, attraction, and engagement.

Ways to implement this strategy is to role model through all levels of the business. Communication is also key to the success of this concept, and all goals should be clearly laid out for staff.

Psychological safety is another key component, as workers should feel comfortable with expressing ideas or concerns as the workplace should be treated as a cohesive unit.

To read People Insights’ full Which trends are driving engagement now? report, click here.