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Low Cost Ways To Increase Employee Engagement

Employee engagement is essential in keeping turnover low and productivity high. Padgett Payroll Services^® has created this guide to low cost ways small businesses can increase their employee engagement.

Relationship with Direct Manager or Supervisor

Direct managers or supervisors have a huge impact on employee engagement. If your employees are not meeting standards, take a look at how your managers or supervisors interact with their direct reports.

• Do your managers know your employees’ talents, interests, requirements and expectations?
• Do they help employees succeed?
• Do they have a friendly and trusting relationship with their direct reports?
• Do they have frequent, quality and meaningful interactions with employees?

Learning & Career Opportunities

Fully engaged employees are those who have the opportunity to learn new skills, improve their existing skills and have opportunities for career growth. Giving employees the opportunities to improve existing skills, learn new skills and advance their career enriches your business and shows employees they are important to the company. Methods of fostering learning and career opportunities can include:

• Lateral career moves
• New projects
• Compensate advanced education
• Fund conferences
• Internal mentorship programs

Communication

The top level of a company earns employees’ trust by open and honest communication. Make sure employees have a clear understanding of the company’s goals and how their jobs align with those goals. In times of trouble or organization changes, communication becomes even more important. Clear, effective communication will reduce stress, rumors and uncertainty among employees. Have a clear purpose and set objectives and make sure each employee understands your message.

Recognize & Reward Achievement

Employees crave acknowledgement of their achievements. If they feel unnoticed or unappreciated, they will be less motivated and engaged, and may even move on to a new company. Here are a few suggestions for showing employees appreciation:

• Do not wait for review periods: give positive feedback right away. This will not only be a reward for an employee’s work, it will also be a motivator for an employee to continue the positive behavior.
• Say “Thank You!” This can be done in person, or with a card or note.
• Public recognition of hard work. Having a regular awards ceremony acknowledges hard working employees and provides examples for others to follow.
• Set up a system for peer recognition. This allows employees to recognize each other and creates a friendly and team-oriented atmosphere.

Keeping employees happy, motivated and engaged does not have to cost a lot of money. Most of the above employee engagement tips can be done for little or no cost. Engaged employees can give invaluable returns to a business, including higher retention and achieving business goals quickly. Padgett Payroll Services^® is your source for experts in small business payroll services. Contact us today to learn about our employee payroll management services.