Here are 5 simple tips that can help with employee engagement:
Tip 1: Listen
HR should not try to assume how employees are feeling, especially through a major change like a pandemic. Talking one on one with as many employees as possible should be priority through times of change to figure out any issues and reassuring teams.
Tip 2: Have Mature Conversations
Developing mutual trust is important when maintaining engagement – and it starts with the truth. All too often HR can end up feeling like they’re on the front line during periods of change and it sometimes creates an ‘Us vs Them’ attitude. It is important that while engaging with employees people tell it how it is. Have open and honest conversations, if you can’t guarantee job security; don’t.
Tip 3: Middle Management Needs Care
Middle management can often feel like they are at the center of it all throughout a period of change. They are on the front line when delivering the change, while not necessarily having any say in the decision making at the top. To keep your employees engaged make sure you look after the squeezed middle. After all, they are the most important factor in keeping an engaged workforce.
Tip 4: Keep to the strategy
Having an end goal is almost important during change. Although it’s known that changes that we don’t have control over, such as pandemic can make a mess out of things, getting many if not all plans thrown out of loop. Although it is still important to be flexible and reactive, broadly sticking to an overarching strategy helps when things get uncertain.
Tip 5: Make the Employees Feel Appreciated
Nobody likes the uncertainty that comes with a period of change, however, if paired with the above tips, some appreciation goes a long way. Even if the long-term future is unclear never underestimate the impact of showing appreciation for the effort being put in, in the present. Engagement is as much down to the small, every day, interactions as the overarching frameworks so appreciate that everybody is doing their best.
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