7 Winning Ways to Engage Workplace Employees

Any way you look at it, employee turnover is expensive.  Today, post pandemic, we are facing a time that has been dubbed, “The Great Resignation.” Millions of American workers are quitting their jobs to explore other opportunities. What is a company to do? It takes significant time, effort, and financial investment to train employees.  What are some engaging ways to keep your work force in the fold of the business and build a strong relationship which encourages them to stay?

 

1-Offset Work with a Little Bit of Play

 

No, work isn’t a playground, but it doesn’t have to be drudgery either.  Often, employees are friends with their co-workers and consider their time together as valuable.  Prearrange time during the week or once a month to plan something fun to do as a company. Join a baseball league, go on a local scavenger hunt, visit an escape room, or have geocaching tournaments. When employees see that the company values them personally and not just for their administrative or technical skills by Fahad Khan, they are more likely to be loyal.

 

2-Express Your Appreciation with Tangible Gifts

 

Everyone loves a little “extra,” perk.  When employees reach a certain milestone like a work anniversary, personal anniversary, birthday, professional goal or retirement, reward them.  Conveying gratitude for their hard work and perseverance will demonstrate that you value them. Their fellow employees will be impressed as well. Perks and incentives might include:

• Box subscriptions – for wine, coffee, live plants, prepared meals
• A variety of personal and professional development books – written by leaders in the industry
• Gift cards – can be delivered instantaneously via text or email. Convenient and inspiring, gift cards are a perfect way to celebrate employee success.
• Gift baskets – filled with tasty, healthy snacks and company merchandise

3-Offer a Wellness Program and/or Activities

 

 

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Employees who see that their mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness is a priority will feel valued. They will appreciate the attention and view their company as cutting edge and worthy of their time and investment.  Offer engaging activities such as:

 

• Fitness challenges

• Access to a professional masseuse

• Spa giveaways

• Walking/Running/Hiking clubs

• In house yoga classes

• Meditation moments or reminders

 

 

4-Stave off Anxiety Sunday & Mopey Mondays

 

After a weekend of fun with friends and family, or just relaxing around the house, it’s hard to get employees enthusiastic about returning to work on Mondays. While it’s something everyone must experience, work environments can enhance Monday’s real-time moments by offering activities to ease employees into the work week with a positive attitude.  Why not offer special “Monday Moments”:

• Bring in a motivational speaker – Most cities have local people who speak to groups with the idea of motivation and inspiration.
• Try the ‘Water Cooler Trivia’ game – It’s fun, it tests knowledge and it’s just slightly competitive but not in a nail-biting kind of way. Most employees report looking forward to this event.
• Provide healthy company breakfast bites – Offer fresh squeezed orange juice, whole grain waffles and fruit to employees for their Monday morning refueling.

 

5-Offer Work at Home Opportunities if Available

 

One of the fallouts from the pandemic is that people got used to working from home. What it lacks in the ability to socialize with others, it makes up for in money spent on gas, clothes, and lunch. Employees who can work from home once or twice a week will appreciate the opportunity to do so. It will convey the company’s eagerness to compromise and help their employees balance work and home life.

 

6-Create an Open Floor Plan & Bring the Outside In

 

You don’t have to look too far back to recall the days when offices were a maze of cubicles.  Constantly ringing phones and overlapping conversations caused jangling nerves and unsettled temperament.  A sense of isolation was present. It’s time to trash the cubicles and opt for an open, airy layout that brings employees together instead of separating them. Consider paintings that elicit outdoor moods, vision improved lighting and well-placed plants for a sense of peace and calm.

 

7-Personalize a Day of the Week

 

This  activity can be applied to larger companies that separate employees into teams or groups or to smaller companies in general.  To stimulate and encourage positive energy and interaction:

• Play music over the public address system – for the last couple of hours on a Friday afternoon. Take song requests to wrap up the work week right.
• Create a schedule for people to sign up to bring in their homemade treats – This provides for increased bonding between employees and a chance for the bakers to show off their skills.
• Ban emails for one day – instead of sending inter office emails, the rule of the day is to walk to the other person’s office or desk to ask what they require. This forces more social interaction and increased bonding within the group.

Companies face a new challenge today – attracting and keeping quality employees. By integrating fun, health and wellness and showing a bit of gratitude, the company can feel more like home than ever before.