Five ways to improve employee engagement in the COVID workplace

Pulse surveys, engagement
ID:119102576

Various studies in the past five years have revealed that Australian workplaces are among the worst in the world when it comes to employee engagement. The reputable Gallup State of the Global Workplace report found in 2017 that only 14 per cent of Australian and NZ employees were engaged at work, with 71 per cent not engaged and an alarming 15 per cent actively disengaged.

If a business didn’t have employee engagement high on their agenda before COVID-19, they must seriously consider how, in a world where workforces are in many cases are split or even working completely remotely, they not only monitor employee engagement but look to improve it. And, now more than ever, having some way of testing how your team is feeling, especially when they’re remote, is vital.

 Here are five ways to improve engagement in the COVID workplace:  

  1. Clarity in communication. Set clear objectives, priorities and timeframes when preparing and delegating tasks. Consider using the S.P.O.R.T model; situation, purpose, outcome, resources and time frame. Following this framework comprehensively takes people on the journey and covers all relevant communication. 
  2. Test the culture. Whilst we are all or part working from home and still unsure of when we can re-enter the workplace we need to seek an objective approach to understand the climate of our team understanding the team. During these uncertain times, a team culture diagnostic should be part of a business’s long-term operational rhythm. Engagement surveys have been around for a long time but a team culture diagnostic enables you to really understand what to improve.
  3. Offer reassurance and support to those who may be worried about job security. This may be a simple one on one conversation to let your team members know that you are all in this together and confirm they will be advised of any changes as they arise.
  4. Be flexible in allowing provisions to look after children and deal with COVID related restrictions. As families are forced into new environments with children requiring to be homeschooled it is important to be flexible and trust that our team will complete their tasks at the best possible time for their family. This may be late at night when their house is quiet. Again, this is why clarity in communication is the number one way to improve engagement in the COVID workplace.
  5. Maintain employee reward and acknowledgement programs. Bonuses may not be feasible for businesses right now but it should not stop you from rewarding those who have worked hard and achieved great results. Why not hold an awards night via Zoom?  

Team culture and engagement needs to be a focus area during these times. Using the five steps provided will give you the best possible opportunity for creating a well-engaged team.

Kirk Peterson, Founder and Managing Director, Performance Shift