Top practices to improve employee engagement
Organizations with highly engaged employees are often more productive, experience lower turnover, and enjoy better customer satisfaction rates. But how can HR leaders and managers improve employee engagement? Avoiding toxic workplace habits is a good place to start, but it’s essential to focus on proactive and inclusive HR practices. Improving employee engagement may seem daunting, but with our expert tips and guidance, you’ll be able to action strategies that will drive measurable results.
Why employee engagement matters
Employee engagement isn’t just about job satisfaction—it’s about creating a workplace where individuals feel valued, motivated, and connected to their organization’s goals. Engaged employees contribute to a company’s success by working with purpose, delivering higher-quality work, and helping foster a collaborative team environment. Luckily, 71% of Canadians reported feeling engaged at work in a survey by Culture Amp. That still leaves room for valuable improvement; disengagement is costly, since its consequences directly affect operations. Higher absenteeism rates, lower productivity, and a strain on company morale are difficult problems to overcome.
Below are five proven engagement strategies designed to improve employee engagement and help organizations create positive workplace environments.
1. Promote open communication
Transparent and open communication is the foundation of a healthy workplace culture. When employees feel like their voices are heard, they’re more likely to feel valued and committed.
How to encourage open communication:
- Hold regular feedback sessions: Schedule one-on-ones or team check-ins to discuss goals, performance, and opportunities for improvement.
- Survey your workforce: Use anonymous employee surveys to understand their needs, concerns, and suggestions.
- Set up accessible communication channels: Create an open-door policy or use virtual meeting platforms to facilitate open conversations between employees at all levels.
2. Recognize and reward growth
Employee recognition can give a powerful boost to workplace culture. Acknowledging hard work and accomplishments shows employees that their efforts are valued and appreciated.
Steps to build a recognition program:
- Create a culture of appreciation by celebrating achievements—big or small—during team meetings or company newsletters.
- Offer personalized rewards like gift cards, extra time off, or career development perks tailored to your employees’ preferences.
- Implement peer-to-peer recognition tools where employees can acknowledge each other’s contributions.
Don’t overlook the power of a sincere thank you and a thoughtful recognition program. Organizations with effective employee recognition programs are 53% more likely to have highly engaged employees.
3. Champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives (DEI)
A positive workplace culture goes hand in hand with prioritizing DEI (occasionally referred to as DEIB; diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging).
DEI practices to implement:
- Provide bias training to educate team members and managers.
- Review your hiring practices to ensure equitable opportunities for candidates of all backgrounds.
- Celebrate cultural and personal milestones to acknowledge the diversity of your team.
DEI initiatives create an environment where everyone feels respected, represented, and able to contribute their unique perspectives.
4. Prioritize Employee Wellbeing
A supportive workplace culture puts employee wellbeing front and centre. By promoting physical, mental, and emotional health, organizations can foster an environment where employees feel cared for and equipped to thrive.
Ways to boost wellbeing:
- Offer wellness programs like fitness reimbursements, access to mental health resources, or meditation classes.
- Encourage work–life balance by implementing hybrid work options, respecting boundaries, and discouraging after-hours communication.
- Check in regularly to understand and address employee stressors or concerns.
Companies that promote total wellness often experience better engagement rates, reduced absenteeism, and a more resilient workforce overall.
5. Empower employee development
Offering training and development opportunities signals to employees that you’re invested in their success. When employees have a clear path for personal and professional growth, they’re more likely to stay engaged and committed to your organization.
Tips for supporting development:
- Provide professional training programs tailored to employees’ interests and career goals.
- Offer mentorship opportunities, pairing senior team members with newer employees to foster knowledge-sharing and skill-building.
- Set up regular career progression discussions to help employees map out their future with your company.
Improving employee engagement
When development opportunities are prioritized, employees don’t just grow individually, they also bring new specialized knowledge and innovation to the organization. To address these problems, HR professionals must take an active role in shaping a company culture that improves employee engagement, growth, and wellbeing.
Improving employee engagement is a long-term investment
Building an engaging workplace culture doesn’t happen overnight. It requires thoughtful strategies, consistent effort, and a genuine commitment to creating an environment where employees feel empowered and appreciated.
By emphasizing open communication, recognition, inclusivity, and wellness, HR professionals can help shape workplaces that attract and retain top talent while driving business objectives.
Improve and drive employee engagement with a trusted HR leader by your side.
If you’re looking for expert guidance on transforming your company culture or implementing HR best practices like these, Citation Canada can help. Our plans equip you with the tools and support you need to meet your HR objectives with confidence and precision. Stay ahead with automatic compliance alerts, the latest HR content, intuitive HR software, and a secure, easy-to-use human resources information system (HRIS). Backed by decades of proven expertise, we provide trusted health and safety software and reliable HR support that meets the needs of organizations in any industry.
Schedule a demo or explore pricing options to see how we can simplify your HR obligations with trusted services and support.