Employee engagement is not an exact science. So far, the whole concept has been built on HR experience, positive psychology and business models that engage a company’s talent towards a productive culture of success.

At the core of employee engagement, similar to any company’s foundation, are some values. These values determine the why, how and what of that company.

In today’s economy, you’re building your company brand both through external as well as internal efforts. Playing two battlefields at the same time can prove to be tricky, that’s why some companies decide to focus their resources only on the external branding front. Meanwhile, they neglect their internal environment, failing to provide an engaging, challenging and appealing workplace.

Enters talent management. A grey area where an HR manager meets a Talent Manager/Chief Happiness Officer. Confusing? Yes. And if it’s confusing for the person actually holding that position, imagine what it does to the employees he or she is supposed to be engaging.

So, we came up with 25 ideas that can save a manager in need of some inspiration. If you’re pressed for time or simply want to save all these ideas, download the free eBook with 25 employee engagement ideas for your team.

1. Assign company values

Assign one of your company’s values to a certain employee, every month, based on a peer-voting process. The person who best represented that value can be set as an example and be publicly acknowledged for his actions.

“One of the most important things when your business starts growing is to help your employees to understand your company’s values. I discovered this method when my business took off and it was a great help with creating the right mindset and also with bonding the workers.” – CEO of California Movers USA Anton Galushko

2. Have teams create their own set of values

Designing your own game rules makes playing a lot more fun. Team synergy is not an easy objective to attain, and it’s definitely not a rapid one. But it is essential to the end-game objective and to the overall performance of the project. Having teams create a team culture, based on 2-3 commonly agreed values or ground rules can help nurture and speed up that process.

3. Encourage personal projects

Give employees a 1-2 h/ day window to pursue their own projects. Having people from different departments connecting and bouncing ideas can help get a new perspective. Projects and initiatives can get new directions, encouraging a creativity and energy flow that would only benefit the rest of the working hours.

4. Assign a buddy/mentor for every newcomer

An important part of the onboarding process is having someone answer some really important questions. Questions that someone would be hesitant to simply ask a manager. Building a trustworthy relationship with someone with more experience in that company can help guide the newcomer. This way he or she can better adapt and grow part of the team.

5. Have themed office days

For the more open-minded companies, this initiative can bring a lot of fun and increase employee loyalty.

6. Have team photos

Have photos of your team on a wall, or frame them around the office. Group photos, funny photos, events photos or random photos snapped when people weren’t watching. It’s a cultural element that can encourage and foster work relationships and employee engagement.

7. Play the Happiness At Work card game

By applying knowledge of the brain and how we work together, Choose Happiness @ Work engages adult learners in a unique and powerful way. It is a powerful tool that engages learning, application, humor and team-building in a fun, facilitative experience and it teaches science-based tools in a way that allows people to safely raise and discuss issues, build trust, and boost engagement.

8. Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

Diversity and inclusion initiatives are more than just corporate buzzwords; they are essential components of a thriving workplace. By actively promoting a culture that values diverse perspectives and inclusive practices, we not only enrich our work environment but also drive innovation and creativity. Initiatives can range from diversity training programs to forming employee resource groups that support underrepresented employees. Embracing diversity and inclusion not only enhances employee engagement but also reflects our company’s commitment to creating a welcoming and supportive space for all. For further reading on developing these initiatives, click here.

9. Encourage charity

I got an email the other day, after downloading a resource online that simply made my day. The awesome people at Network For Good came up with a Corporate Charity Gift Card. You can personalize your own company gift card and reward employees by allowing them to make a charitable donation to an organization of their choice. Take Aveda’s example. The company came up with a cause that was aligned with their company’s mission, empowered employees to team up and raise money for that cause, in a friendly but competitive manner. And it worked.

10. Encourage volunteering

If you find yourself doubting the classical money-to-charity approach, you should try the new volunteer-for-a-cause angle. Give your employees a couple of days a month to volunteer for a cause they support.

11. Leveraging Internal Communications Tools

In the digital age, internal communications tools have emerged as vital assets for enhancing employee engagement. These platforms enable us to turn emails into engaging conversations, gauge employee satisfaction through embedded surveys, and celebrate achievements via an employee newsletter. By adopting these tools, we can ensure that our communication is effective, timely, and, most importantly, engaging for our employees. For organizations looking to elevate their internal communications strategy, exploring options such as ContactMonkey can provide valuable insights and solutions.

12. Raise salaries

I’m sure at least half of the people reading this article will have an eyebrow up at this point. According to a Gallup study 44% of the employees are willing to take job to another company for a raise of 20%. This percentage drops to 30% for employees that work in an employee engaging environment.

13. Remind people your company’s mission and values

It’s important that you emphasize, once in a while, what your company stands for. People need to be reminded of why they are doing what they’re doing.

14. Recognize and encourage innovation

You might have heard some pretty inspiring ideas around the office. What about that project that came together so well and had some amazing improvements that no one initially thought of? Find out who came up with that idea. Give them a friendly “Good job!” or recognize them publicly for going the extra mile.

15. Celebrate achievements

Big or small, they are the solid proof that the work people are putting in has meaning. No one can go through tasks and assignments for months, or even years without burning out. Refill their energy tanks with some recognition and celebrate their hard work. This is also a great way to glue together teams.

There are many ways to appreciate and celebrate an employee’s achievements, but it means more when they receive a gift as an appreciation for their progress. More than just actions and written communications, but the formal and tangible items, such as custom made pins or coins for years of service, which will be cherished and held as an honor.

16. Celebrate people

Birthdays, promotions, retirements, newcomers welcoming, there are plenty of important moments where people can be put at the front of the company. They make the company and it’s a great and relaxing way of showing them that they matter.

17. Give and receive feedback

Yes, everyone knows that and everyone talks about it. But it’s really hard to implement. You’re dealing with peoples’ work, their position, their emotions and key success factors. It’s a dangerous mix that the wrong feedback can cause to explode. Keep it simple. Offer a framework or a system that employees can use with confidence and honesty. Let them know you value their opinion and, most importantly, act on that feedback. More thoughts on feedback.

18. Try some unusual employee engagement ideas

It’s the small things that can sometime make a difference. Like having colored mugs at work or an awesome air freshener.

And since we’re on the Out-of-the-box topic, you could try an Art Team Building. The guys at Team Building Singapore came up with this concept that encourages creativity and gives employees a different way to connect.

19. Show respect

This should be the cornerstone for every office interaction. Especially when it comes to people in different hierarchies. Read more about Respect In The Workplace.

20. Empower your employees

Nothing creates a greater sense of responsibility and ownership like having the decision power. Don’t be afraid to let people be their own leader. It’s surely a great way to build trust, as opposed to micro-management.

21. Encourage learning

Challenge and support employees in learning and developing their skills. Not only will you have a motivated and well-prepared workforce but you’ll see an increase in employee happiness and employee engagement.

22. Hybrid Work Options

In today’s evolving workplace, offering hybrid work options has become a cornerstone for fostering employee engagement. This approach not only accommodates the diverse preferences of our workforce but also underscores our commitment to supporting a healthy work-life balance. By integrating flexible work arrangements, we empower our employees to design a work schedule that best fits their lifestyle, thereby enhancing employee satisfaction and productivity. For more insights on implementing effective hybrid work strategies, consider exploring this comprehensive guide.

23. Get social

Go out, have fun, have teambuildings and weekend competitions! It can be really overwhelming to work, work, work 8-12h a day and crave a weekend that passes in a blink of an eye. Join sports competitions and encourage team playing activities.

24. Make sure that people have all the resources they need

This doesn’t sound like other typical employee engagement ideas but it has an important purpose. You need to make sure that you have the basics covered before you move on to other, more abstract, ideas. Equip your employees with the tools and systems that will make their job easier. This way, you’ll get them to invest their energy into doing great work, instead of wasting precious time.

25. Ask the people who really know employee engagement

Being as this is a fairly new business component, you should trust the experts. Consult the right people to help you build a solid employee engagement strategy.

26. Get answers from your employees as well

This is related to feedback but it’s more of an indirect feedback. Monitor and analyze your employees, your teams and the overall workspace. You’ll get some essential pointers into what works and what you can improve.

27. Build long-term engagement

Don’t settle for a quick fix. Develop a long-term employee engagement strategy with clear objectives and action steps for more than a year, then re-evaluate and build on it.

28. Try and try again

We’ve based this advice on our experience and the experience of others that we’ve worked it. However, what works for one company might not work for another. It’s important that you try and adapt, until you find the perfect angle for your employee engagement strategy.

Takeaway

The basic HR processes, recruitment&selection, onboarding&training, performance management, performance appraisal, rewards and recognition and actual employee management leave little or no time for employee happiness or employee engagement.

We recommend that you have someone specifically responsible with employee engagement, to track and measure changes and improvements made.

Start with these 25 employee engagement ideas and build on that. Tell us how it goes!