3 Engagement Challenges That Cost Organizations People And Profits

As organizations continue to navigate increasingly complex work environments, the importance of employee engagement has never been more critical. 

Engaged employees are more productive, more loyal, and more likely to contribute to the success of the organization. However, engaging employees is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and there are many challenges that organizations must address to create a positive and productive work culture. 

Employees who strongly agree that their employer cares about them and their overall wellbeing, compared with other employees, are:

• 69% less likely to actively search for a new job
• 71% less likely to report experiencing a lot of burnout
• 36% more likely to be thriving in their overall lives
• 3x more likely to be engaged at work
• 5x more likely to strongly advocate for their company as a place to work and to strongly agree they trust the leadership of their organization

By prioritizing communication, recognition, and wellbeing, organizations can create an environment that supports the growth and development of all employees, leading to a more engaged and successful workforce.

3 costly challenges organizations face in engaging their employees.

1. Fostering connection in a hybrid work environment
2. Addressing burnout and overwork
3. Creating a culture of recognition and feedback

According to Gallup, when comparing employees who are engaged but not thriving to those who are engaged and thriving, those who aren't thriving report the following:

• 61% more likely to experience burnout often or always
• 48% more likely to report daily stress
• 66% more likely to experience daily worry
• 2x more likely to report daily sadness and anger

So the benefits are huge, but so are the challenges if they’re ignored. 

Challenge 1 - Fostering connection in a hybrid work environment

One of the biggest challenges facing organizations today is how to create a sense of connection and community among employees who are working remotely or in hybrid work environments. Without the benefit of in-person interactions, it can be difficult to build trust and camaraderie, which are crucial for engagement and productivity. 

Investing in technologies and strategies that enable your team to connect and collaborate with ease is key. Increasing camaraderie by increasing their opportunities for shared experiences such as video conferencing, chat platforms, community walls, and virtual team-building activities. 

Reassessing the team communications is also another way for team members to feel included, heard and valued, regardless of their location or work arrangement.

Challenge 2 - Addressing burnout and overwork

In today's fast-paced and demanding work environment, burnout and overwork are increasingly common among employees. When employees are stretched too thin, they're more likely to disengage, become disenchanted with their work, and even leave the organization altogether. 

To address this challenge, prioritizing employee wellbeing and balance is a must. 

Provide resources and support to help employees manage their workload and maintain a healthy work-life balance. This might include flexible schedules, mental health resources, and training and development opportunities to help employees build skills and improve their overall health and wellbeing.

Challenge 3 - Creating a culture of recognition and feedback

Finally, one of the biggest challenges in engaging employees is the need for meaningful feedback and recognition. When employees feel undervalued or overlooked, they're more likely to disengage and lose motivation. 

Organizations need to create a culture of recognition and feedback, where employees are regularly acknowledged and celebrated for their contributions. This can take many forms, from informal shout-outs and peer-to-peer recognition to more formal performance reviews and development plans. By prioritizing recognition and feedback, you can create a more positive and engaged work environment that supports the growth and development of all employees.

Employee engagement is all about action

It is the responsibility of each organization to take action and engage their employees. There are numerous tactics that can help teams to foster a supportive and effective workplace culture, including investing in technologies to facilitate virtual collaboration, tackling burnout and overwork, and encouraging recognition and feedback.

By building an environment where team members feel appreciated, engaged, and supported, organizations can positively impact their people and their bottom line.  

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