Can you imagine how you would feel if all you were permitted to do at the workplace was work and talk about work only? The very thought feels so grim and tiresome, right? Don’t you want to work in a vibrant and productive workplace where working is nothing short of joy? Unlike your expectations, workplaces were once upon a time grim. Businesses were focusing only on their productivity and employees were squeezed to their maximum extent to increase productivity.
Following numerous protests and agitations came the labour rights and laws over a period of a century. These laws ensured that the basic necessities of employees were fulfilled. Least did the companies realise the direct connection between the working condition and productivity. Following significant labour reforms, better workplace safety standards were put in place.
The History
Around the 1960s, various theories started talking about workplace motivation. Important among them are Theory X and Theory Y proposed by Douglas McGregor. The theories of human work motivation and management were rooted in Abraham Maslow’s theory on the hierarchy of needs. They propose contrasting models of motivation applied by employers in human resource management, organisational behaviour, organisational development and organisational communication.
Though the theories have laid the groundwork for the engagement practices, employee engagement started gaining specific attention only after the 1980s. It was only then that companies started to realise the importance of employees’ emotional commitment in the company’s performance and retention. It in turn led a shift in focus from mere productivity to understanding of employee commitment and engagement.
Employee engagement activities in India have become a no-skip rule in every company in the 21st century. Companies began to implement well-planned and structured initiatives aimed at improving engagement while targeting to increase their business outcomes. Companies also started to invest a huge sum for such programmes. Not just budget allocation for measuring the impact of employee engagement, but leadership development programmes have become a must.
Though many companies fail to see its significance beyond a simple HR strategy and reduce it to a mere checkbox, several organisations implement the strategic plan and implement such programmes, realising its profound impact. To appreciate its importance, one needs to understand employee engagement practices in detail.
Understanding employee engagement activities in India
Employee engagement is a Human Resources (HR) concept that describes the level of enthusiasm, emotional commitment and dedication employees have towards their organisation and its goals. It shows how engaged employees are with their work, their willingness to go beyond their designated role, and their motivation to contribute to the organisation’s success. More engaged employees feel a deeper connection to their organisation. They care about their work and organisation and believe that their role makes a difference in the organisation.
Engaged employees think more about their role and organisation than mere paycheck. Employees’ engagement always becomes visible in their performance and burnout rate. It in turn increases the chances of achieving the company’s goal easily. Given its link to job satisfaction and employee morale, employee engagement is crucial for a company’s success.
Companies can encourage engagement practices in multiple ways. Some of the ways are offering rewards and promotions based on their performance, communicating clearly about their expectations from them, providing regular feedback, keeping employees informed about the company’s performance and moves, taking efforts to make employees feel respected and valued and ensuring that their ideas are being heard and understood.
Numbers, numbers and more important numbers
Research and studies continuously emphasise the robust link between employee engagement and performance. Insisting the significance of prioritising and enhancing employee engagement activities, the Gallup Institute has uncovered that only 23% of the global workforce is totally engaged. It has been proven that businesses prioritising the well-being of employees observe a considerable rise in productivity, satisfaction and financial performance. According to the institute, companies with highly engaged employees witness a 21% rise in profitability compared to their counterparts.
Also, engaged employees contribute to about 40% less absenteeism. It means the companies have a consistent and productive work environment. Gallup studies also say that impact of employee engagement leads to a 10% higher customer rating. The financial implications of disengaged employees are of serious concern. For one disengaged employee, equating to an average annual profit loss of $2,500, according to Aon Hewitt Consultancy.
Virtual employee engagement activities in India
With the rise in technological growth, digital transformative initiatives and widespread remote work options in recent times, traditional employee engagement activities have taken a backseat. Just like in every other sector, technology continues to play a wider role in keeping employees engaged.
As the modern world needs modern solutions, organisations have already started prioritising virtual employee engagement activities to improve the overall experience of their workforce. Organisations have begun integrating technology to streamline communication, simplify processes, maintain team morale and foster collaboration while ensuring productivity.
Through this, employers are actually cultivating a culture of engagement that attracts top talent and inspires employees to thrive.
Some of the effective and interesting virtual engagement activities are
- Virtual social events: Employees can do online meet-ups for a casual chit-chat or play games with or without a themed dress code. Virtual coffee breaks to discuss funny stuff or employees can even conduct virtual talent shows.
- Professional and personal development events: Organisations can host a series of webinars on industry trends, skill developments or other relevant topics either using in-house experts or by inviting industry experts from outside. Discussion regarding articles, books or podcasts related to professional and personal development can be held.
- Virtual team-building games: Organisations can form teams among their employees and ask them to solve puzzles together or provide a topic on the spot and ask them to deliver an impromptu speech. Organisations can even conduct virtual scavenger hunts.
- Wellness and fitness activities: Companies can conduct online yoga, Zumba, Pilates or dance workshops. They can even encourage their employees to participate in exercise or step challenges and track progress together. Organisations can also conduct workshops on mental well-being and stress management.
- Creative and fun activities: Organisations can host virtual cooking sessions, craft making workshops or even play online board games or multiplayer video games.
Smile Foundation and employee engagement activities
Understanding the importance of employee engagement programmes, Smile Foundation has been offering opportunities to couple engagement with purpose. It is to ensure that employees get out of their mundane routine and relax themselves even as they work towards fulfilling a cause. The organisation has expertise in conducting programmes that are beneficial both to children and employees.
Some of the physical employee engagement ideas proposed by us are the happy feet challenge, mandala greeting card making, t-shirt bag making and painting, plantation drives and building a bike. To keep the employees engaged in the modern world, they also provide virtual employee engagement activities like best out of waste, career counselling sessions, toys from trash, create your own small kitchen garden and mentoring.
What’s more satisfying than to listen to a testimony from one of the beneficiaries? One of the employees of Avery Dennison, Neha Dabral, who took part in one of the engagement activities, said, “These girls are now my dose of motivation. We all keep complaining about our lives, but each one of these girls is truly fighting a battle with big smiles on their faces. It felt so good to spend a day with them. I came to encourage and went back inspired. I feel so proud to be associated with Avery Dennison. We get such wonderful chances to do some good in our own little way.” We all know that she is not the only one to feel so grateful after being part of the foundation’s employee engagement activities in India.