Employee Engagement Key to Better Productivity
The employment relations service, Acas, has urged businesses to increase the level of employee engagement as it feels that this will be beneficial to the organisations. In a paper published earlier this month, Acas has discussed specific factors that should be adopted by business houses. The paper is of the view that greater employee engagement has multi-dimensional benefits. It improves staff retention as the morale of the employee becomes better and this leads to greater productivity, which, in turn, translates into better results for the company.
Acas, in its paper states that while discussing the methods of improving employee engagement, the vital role played by the line managers must be highlighted. But the line manager alone will not be effective. There is a need for supportive senior management which shares the same attitude. Certain practical approaches will be needed to bring in the desired level of employee engagement. These are an open channel of communication between an employee and his seniors and a system of providing feedback along with opportunities for personal development.
The paper has also identified four key factors as suggested in the McLeod Report of 2009, which are of prime importance in achieving the optimum level of employee engagement.
The four factors are:
(1) Leadership: The senior management’s views of the objectives of the company should percolate down to the employees and it should be made clear how they can contribute in achieving these objectives.
(2) Engaging managers: Managers should treat each employee as an individual worthy of respect and ensure an atmosphere of fair play.
(3) Employees voice: Communication between a manager and an employee should not be top-down, but rather a two-way traffic. The employee’s opinions must be heard and cognizance of such opinions must be taken.
(4) Integrity: To develop a feeling of trust among the employees the management must also understand what they want the employees to do and guide them accordingly.
Workplace Law offer IOSH Courses with all the advice and information needed for managers to successfully manage appropriate policies and procedures and improve upon management skills to help promote employee engagement within in the workplace.