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7 Effective Strategies For Boosting Employee Morale and Engagement

Unlocking the Secrets to Building a Motivated Workforce


Published by HRCap, Inc. on October 17, 2024



Employee morale or engagement directly affects the level of passion and commitment a worker has for their job. Organizations sometimes suffer from low employee morale or engagement, and several reasons could cause this. For example, organizations might not be transparent, give unclear instructions, or have negative attitudes. Micromanaging and setting unrealistic expectations and goals can also impact employee morale and engagement as well.


Improving and maintaining employee engagement and morale is pertinent because disengaged employees cost companies. Employee disengagement can cost $228M to $335M due to productivity loss at a median-size S&P 500 company annually, which results in a $1.1B loss in five years. On the other hand, consistent employee engagement leads to higher performance and improves employee retention.



7 Strategies For Boosting Employee Morale & Engagement


To foster successful and consistent employee engagement, building bonds and trust across the organization is crucial. Positive social interactions are essential, as non-financial recognition can account for up to 55% of employee engagement. McKinsey & Co. found that the main contributors to a positive experience include trust, supportive teams, strong relationships with leaders, and a positive organizational social climate. This can be achieved through rapport-building activities, which have been shown to enhance employee productivity and discretion.


To increase employee morale or engagement, organizations should cultivate positive social interactions among employees using the following strategies.



1. Implement Effective Onboarding


An effective onboarding process excites workers about their jobs and tasks, positively impacting employee engagement. 33% more employees feel engaged in organizations that use successful onboarding than organizations that use ineffective onboarding. For instance, Google decentralizes the onboarding process, which is designated to the team. This facilitates intimate participation for new workers from the start and positively affects employee morale.




2. Encourage Open Communication


It is essential to have a two-way communication. Workers should feel safe speaking about their opinions and working together with managers and their colleagues. This signifies mutual respect in the workplace and clear expectations set up by leaders. Honest employee feedback is crucial since it allows companies to recognize the room for improvement while workers are empowered to build corporate culture. Netflix fostered an environment where everyone could share constructive feedback and interact frequently with managers. This contributes to employee engagement and will likely encourage recognition of innovative ideas that keep the company productive. According to research, one way to enhance employee engagement is to communicate clear expectations and organizational values in addition to referring to employee feedback.


3. Support Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)


ERGs help social interaction and support diversity and inclusion initiatives at the workplace. 78% of ERG members said their primary motive for joining an ERG is to connect with coworkers who share similar life experiences while meeting colleagues with diverse backgrounds. Accenture’s ethnic and race ERGs foster successful interpersonal relationships and support employee networking. As a result, ERGs have contributed to an inclusive culture and environment in which employees feel free to speak up.


4. Offer Mentorship Programs


Mentorship provides mentees individualized assistance from seasoned employees and leaders. While mentees learn vital knowledge and best practices, mentors access fresh perspectives, leading to an overall enhancement in productivity. The positive relationship between experienced mentors and new employees creates a healthy corporate social climate. 70% of businesses agreed that mentoring boosts productivity, and 9 out of 10 employees with a mentor felt satisfied at work. Mastercard implemented the mentorship program successfully, connecting entry-level employees to executive levels and leaders. This empowered the members and built long-lasting relationships.



5. Promote Volunteering Opportunities


Offering volunteer opportunities also helps workers feel connected with the team and the company and promotes employee retention. According to research, workers who did not engage in donation and volunteering had a 28% turnover rate, while employees who participated in both volunteering and donation had only a 12% turnover. This is a 57% reduction in turnover. Verizon partnered with nonprofit organizations such as the International Rescue Committee and Dress for Succes, and its workers volunteered more than 2.1M hours. As of 2024, Verizon’s average tenure among 110,000 employees is 12.9 years, three times longer than the US average. The company used volunteering to build teams and employees to feel connected to the company's mission and vision.


6. Organize Fun Team Bonding Events


Relationships with team members are vital to nurturing positive sentiments at work and engaging employees. 91% of workers hope to feel more connected to their colleagues, and 85% want to feel closer to employees who work remotely. Virtual escape rooms grant a simulation of the workplace via an online setting, and it is a fun way to get to know each other in the team. It requires employees to work together as a team under pressure, enhancing their time management and communication skills. During the activity, each member’s strengths and competencies will be revealed which works as catalysts for building relationships. Having integrated an online escape room into the team activities, The Home Depot shared that an online escape room increased the employee’s feelings of engagement and camaraderie. Due to the benefits, many renowned companies such as Google, Pfizer, Deloitte, EY, Pepsico, and Amazon have also utilized virtual escape rooms to bring a team together.


Similar to Virtual escape rooms, office trivia is an excellent way to connect employees. A mobile marketing company operated an international office trivia game, and the questions were not only about the company but also about the workers. The company employees said that playing office trivia removed the communication barriers. This allowed employees to interact with people as well as connect to the company and its mission.


7. Vitalize Workplace Celebrations


Workplace celebrations, including fun theme days, anniversaries, and annual achievement recognitions, play a part in employee morale and engagement. 81.9% of workers say that recognition for their efforts and achievements increases their engagement, and 83.6% of employees agree that recognition motivates them to succeed at work. Moreover, workers tend to feel content through interactions at events and celebrations, which bolsters productivity by 13%. Online form builder JotForm implemented employee appreciation programs and gave out perks, promoting employee satisfaction and workplace morale.



Conclusion


Employee morale and engagement are crucial for productivity and employee retention. Organizations can nurture trust and bonds for positive social interactions, which will improve morale and engagement. By prioritizing a positive social climate in the workplace, organizations can make employees feel connected, satisfied, and motivated.


HRCap collaborates closely with organizations to implement tailored strategies for enhancing employee morale and engagement. As a Total HR Solutions firm, we excel in providing customized programs that improve workplace culture which increases employee satisfaction and retention. We are committed to helping companies build thriving, motivated teams that contribute to long-term business success.


Sources: HRCap, McKinsey & Co., MIT, Deloitte, Forbes, Fortune, Gallup, American Express, MasterCard, Florida Institute of Technology, HR.com, Benevity, Institute of Entrepreneurship Development, Slack, Nectar, Kahoot, Escapely



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