Tag: employee engagement

Engagement, Recognition, and Safety Strategies Drive Positive Business Outcomes

Last week we mentioned some of the impacts related to the labor shortage and employee recruitment and retention challenges. With less-than-full staffing, employers pressed to maintain operational, production, and service demands are employing a variety of strategies to these ends. Our experience in helping deliver profitable business outcomes centers around comprehensive programs that develop and build sound engagement, recognition, and safety strategies.

During Covid and continuing through the post-pandemic environment, companies with sound strategies for engagement, recognition, and safety in place have been able to leverage those established programs to maintain positive business outcomes. If there is a positive takeaway from the past three years, it is that companies and organizations without such strategies have come to realize their importance and value.

The Retention Challenge

The continuing labor shortage presents many challenges, with recruitment and retention at the top of the list. One contributing factor to the retention problem is the additional burden placed on employees. As this article by Gallup’s Ryan Pendell points out, over half of employees say their organization has asked workers to take on additional responsibilities. These employees were polled during the first quarter of this year.

Almost half (48%) of employees reported that their organizations had undergone restructuring or reorganization because of less-than-full staffing. As employees are asked to do more with less, the risk of over-stress and burnout continues to mount. As Gallup’s survey shows, employees are:

  • 2.5 times as likely to feel burned out at work – very often or always
  • 55% more likely to seek a new job
  • 39% less likely to be engaged at work
  • half as likely to think their employer cares about their well-being.

With stress and overload come an increase in sick days, a decrease in engagement and buy-in, and the likelihood for departures.

The Recruitment Challenge

With recruitment challenging enough, attracting new employees to join an organization in this kind of disarray becomes even more so. This scenario has produced an environment in which employees have lost trust in leadership, and many see no end in sight. Pendell points out that when new responsibilities are structured carefully and communicated clearly, the result can be positive in terms of career development – when roles and responsibilities align individual talents with organizational needs.

The Safety Challenge

With fewer employees pressed to do more, and open positions being filled with inexperienced, younger, and/or temporary employees, the potential for injury is on the increase. The impact of increased stress, low engagement, employee burnout, and inexperienced employees contributes to a negative workplace culture. Consider a comprehensive strategy that includes engagement, recognition, and safety initiatives that can demonstrate your care and concern for employees. You’ll see an increased potential for positive business outcomes.

Boosting Employee Morale One Step at a Time

Disengagement and lack of inspiration lead to low employee morale – the “silent killer” of the workplace. Low employee morale negatively affects atmosphere and culture, and subsequently decreases productivity, growth, and engagement. Additionally, as morale and engagement decrease, employee burnout increases.  In Lattice’s State of People Strategy Report 2023, data shows that 72% of employees… Read more »

Engagement Still Key to Workplace Challenges

Halfway through 2023, workplace challenges pressing employers and employees are just as great today as at the beginning of the year. Employers continue to wrestle with retention, recruiting, productivity, and change – while employees are experiencing increased levels of stress, both at work and at home. The release of Gallup’s State of Global Workplace 2023… Read more »

Weathering the Perfect Storm

Most businesses today, regardless of industry, are struggling with a convergence of significant challenges unlike anything in recent memory.  Developing strategies to address a persistent labor shortage, supply chain disruptions, and record inflation is a daunting but imperative endeavor.  It is not just a matter of weathering the perfect storm – it is about staying… Read more »

Another Look at Engagement and Performance

A year ago, we commented on the important link that exists between employee engagement, organizational culture, and company performance.  Given the complications, disruptions, and upheaval experienced during the pandemic season, the consensus was that many of the ramifications pressed upon society and workplace would continue – perhaps becoming permanent. As we rapidly approach the midpoint… Read more »