Every workplace and every job is different. Therefore, there is a big difference in how engaged people feel about their work. Still, it is nice for an employer when employees are engaged and feel connected to the organization. But, what is employee engagement exactly and why is it so important? And which strategies can help you increase it? We will tell you all about it in this blog and give you information on which software can help you with this. Read on quickly!
What is employee engagement exactly?
First, it is good to answer the question, “what is employee engagement exactly?” Well, it is the degree to which employees feel emotionally connected to an organization. It goes beyond satisfaction with terms of employment. Engaged employees show ownership, take initiative and actively work to achieve organizational goals. For companies, this means higher productivity, better collaboration and a culture where people remain motivated to contribute. It is therefore a strategic tool to stimulate not only performance, but also loyalty and innovation.
The importance of employee engagement and its correlation with employee satisfaction
For organizations, employee engagement is very important because it directly affects business results. While employee satisfaction remains important, it primarily says something about how much a person enjoys their job. Engagement goes a step further: it reflects employees’ commitment to a company’s mission and values. Research shows that engaged employees leave less, stay longer and perform better. This reduces recruitment costs and increases continuity within teams. Companies that invest in engagement not only create a positive work atmosphere but also strengthen their competitive position.
What is employee engagement in HR?
If there is one department that focuses most on employee engagement, it is the HR department. But what is employee engagement in HR precisely? In Human Resources, employee engagement refers to the emotional and psychological commitment employees have toward their organization and its goals. For HR professionals, engagement is not just a metric; it is a strategic focus that influences retention, productivity, and company culture. High engagement means employees are motivated, loyal, and willing to go beyond their basic job requirements. HR teams play a critical role in fostering this connection by implementing programs such as recognition initiatives, career development opportunities, and well-being support. Measuring engagement through surveys and analytics allows HR to identify areas for improvement. This helps them act before issues impact performance or morale. Ultimately, employee engagement in HR is about creating an environment where people feel valued, empowered, and aligned with the company’s mission.
Advantages of employee engagement
As mentioned above, employee engagement is very important. When employees are more involved in an organization, there are several, tangible benefits:
- Reduced absenteeism: engaged employees feel valued and therefore are less likely to look for excuses not to show up for work. In addition, actively engaged employees experience 70% fewer safety incidents and have a lower risk of health issues.
- Higher staff retention: employees who feel connected to their organization are more loyal. As a result, 87% fewer staff leave, and you save on recruitment and onboarding costs.
- Increased productivity and innovation: actively engaged employees are on average up to 38% more productive and drive innovation.
- Better business results: organizations with above-average engaged staff achieve up to 22% greater profitability and 10% higher customer satisfaction.
- Improved customer perception: engaged employees provide better service, leading to a more positive image and customer loyalty.
Software for employee engagement
Nowadays, organizations are increasingly using employee engagement software to gain insight and take action. Such tools allow you to conduct surveys, as well as make feedback and recognition accessible. For example, consider an employee satisfaction survey. Employee engagement software also allows you to measure engagement via KPIs (key performance indicators), such as NPS (Net Promoter Score), turnover and absenteeism. In addition, many platforms are modular. This means they can integrate with HR systems, send automated check-ins and encourage peer recognition. But it also means they have convenient dashboards and analytics where everything is made clear.
A popular concept is daily or weekly check-ins, which you use to measure sentiment and well-being. These check-ins help to spot problems early and take quick action, which helps to ensure sustainable engagement. This is exactly what tools like Liftaware capitalize on, with smart check-ins to structurally track your well-being and engagement.
The right employee engagement software:
– Improves internal communication
– Promotes recognition and feedback
– Delivers data-driven insights for improvement actions
– Optimizes the onboarding of new employees
Such a platform helps build an engaged culture where everyone feels heard and contributes to the mission.
Strategies to improve employee engagement
What is for employee engagement important in terms of strategies? Building strong employee engagement requires more than recognition and occasional feedback. It starts with creating an open culture where communication flows both ways. Regular pulse surveys and check-ins help identify trends and issues before they escalate. Another effective strategy is to invest in professional development programs, giving employees opportunities to grow and advance within your organization. Recognition programs, both peer-to-peer and from leadership, also play a key role in keeping employees motivated and valued. Flexible working arrangements and well-being initiatives can further strengthen commitment and loyalty. Finally, using employee engagement software can make these strategies more effective by offering real-time data, automated feedback loops, and actionable insights. By combining these approaches, you can build a culture where employees feel connected, supported, and inspired to contribute to the company’s success.
So, what is employee engagement? It is much more than a simple concept that is simply shouted. It is the driving force behind loyal, healthy and productive employees and thus vitality in the workplace . As an organization, it is therefore good to involve employees in decisions, build in regular check-in moments and facilitate growth and appreciation. This is how you build an organization in which people work with pleasure and passion. With smart employee engagement software, you can turn data into action. So it is well worth the investment!
