Creating an environment that fosters employee engagement and involvement.

The global statistics on employee engagement are concerning, with only about 35% of employees in the US and 15% worldwide being engaged in their jobs. Millennials tend to be more distracted and disengaged at work. Therefore, having an effective employee engagement strategy is becoming increasingly important. This article will provide the basics needed to build not only a happy workforce but also a strong and engaged team.

Employee engagement is an employee's emotional commitment to work and the workplace, which goes beyond job satisfaction or happiness. Engaged employees are fully invested in their work and put in discretionary effort to produce extraordinary results. They care about their work, peers, and company and feel fulfilled throughout the day. Employee engagement is about employees' commitment to work and workplace, as well as how well they communicate and connect with each other.

However, it's essential to clarify what employee engagement is not. Companies often invest in employee experience initiatives and benefits but fail to get the basics right. Employee engagement should not be confused with employee satisfaction or happiness, as they are not the same thing. While employees may seem happy and satisfied with their work, it doesn't mean they are emotionally connected to it. Satisfaction is only a part of the engagement process and doesn't necessarily lead to employees going above and beyond their responsibilities. Employee engagement is also not the same as employee experience or culture, but rather the outcome of a good employee experience and a good company culture.

All of these benefits of employee engagement can lead to a positive feedback loop for a company. Engaged employees lead to better business outcomes, which in turn increases employee satisfaction and engagement. This leads to a culture of innovation and growth, which can give a company a significant competitive advantage.

It's essential for companies to focus on improving employee engagement as it can have a direct impact on their bottom line. Some ways to improve employee engagement include providing opportunities for growth and development, recognizing and rewarding good performance, fostering a positive work environment, and promoting open communication and collaboration.

Overall, companies that prioritize employee engagement and create a positive work culture will benefit from increased productivity, higher retention rates, improved customer satisfaction, and ultimately, higher profitability.