Keeping employees actively engaged in the workplace isn’t only important to build a positive work culture, it can also save you some big bucks. In fact, according to a Gallup poll, disengaged employees could be costing the US anywhere between $450-550 billion. Although employee engagement plays a pivotal role in the workplace, it’s almost always worked on as an afterthought and overlooked as an essential element to the overall success of an organization. Given that a boost in productivity, collaborations and innovations are byproducts of a highly engaged workforce, it is imperative that employee engagement be given the importance it deserves. It’s often the little things like your employees having a sense of belonging at the workplace, the ability to form bonds beyond just work with their colleagues, and getting a clap on the back for a job well done. Here are 21 things that won’t break the bank, but will still have your employees giving you a big thumbs up.

1. Employee
Engagement
21 Ways to boost employee engagement
without breaking the bank

2. When people are financially
invested, they want a return.
When people are emotionally
invested, they want to
contribute.
SIMON SINEK

3. Why Engagement?
Besides an increase in productivity, engaged employees are less likely to
leave the organization. This, in turn, retains the knowledge and
experience that are so critical to the success of an organization.

4. 1.
If you've identified your company culture, you're already halfway there.
Hiring according to this will ensure that your new hires actually want to
work with the person they're sitting next to. Birds of a feather and all.
Hire according to your
company culture

5. Introduce new hires
to the entire team
It is important to nurture relationships in the
workplace. The feeling of being cared for
inculcates a sense of belonging, making
employees more likely to feel happy and
engaged at work.
2.

6. Make healthy
options available3.
Whether it's healthier food options in the cafeteria, a group
yoga class, or an on-call doctor, your employees are sure to
notice the extra mile and appreciate you even more for it.

7. Provide regular
coaching and training
Training shouldn't end with the initial induction
and onboarding process, it needs to be
continuous. A survey from Deloitte showed that
retention rates were 25% higher for employees
who engaged with mentorship programs.
4.

8. 5.
Anonomys surveys are a great way to get a pulse of your employees.
It's just easier to say things when there's absolutely no fear of being
judged.
Send out an anonymous
survey for honest feedback

9. ALWAYS act
on feedback
Not following up on feedback is a sure shot way to
kill employee engagement. Although you may not
be in a position to action all requests and wishes,
it's at least a start once you get the ball rolling.
6.

10. Organize a learning
club7.
For most of us, work becomes a second home. Starting a learning club,
where employees get to discuss and develop hobbies will not only get
them involved with other members of the staff but also lower stress
and encourage a healthy work life.

11. Emphasize a work-
life balance
A healthy work-life balance could mean
different things to different employees.
A great starting point though is to have flexible
hours or the option to work from home on
certain days.
8.

12. 9.One major factor that drives employees is the primal need to compete.
By celebrating every win, you not only give the achiever the due
recognition, you even motivate others to achieve their respective goals!
Celebrate personal
wins

13. Know what drives
your employees
It's not always about work. What pushes them,
what are their interests, their hobbies. By showing
interest, they'll know you care. Plus, it gives you
insight into planning your next office event!
10.

14. Pave a roadmap for
professional growth 11.
At the time of joining, take the time to figure out what your new
employee wants to be doing 5 years from now. Then every
quarter, have a sit-down and discuss how they can move closer
to their goal.

15. Allow lateral
movements
Several are still trying to figure out what they
really want to do with their careers. If someone
finds something else at your company that
they’re passionate about, create a roadmap to
get them there.
12.

16. 13.
For top achievers in the organization, give them a list of high ranking
seniors and the chance to experience a day in their life. Right from the
commute, to a days work. It's an experience that won't be forgotten soon.
Give them an experience
of "A day in the life of..."

17. Use contests and
gamification
Get a little healthy competition flowing in the team.
Whether it is a contest to boost brand content or a
sales target, contests leverage instant feedback
and keep players coming back for more.
14.

18. Add more responsibility,
not just tasks15.
At the end of the day, people are inherently goal-oriented. When you offer
them something worth achieving, you’ll be amazed at the amount of drive
and purpose it gives them.

19. Incentivize
goals correctly
Choosing the right incentives for your employees
is key. A day at the spa may work for some, but to
others, a dinner for 2 would be more appreciated.
This is where getting to know what drives your
employees comes real handy.
16.

20. 17.
There's little that gets more personal than a hand-written note. It shows
that the person has invested time and effort into the appreciation.
Coming from a manager, it will mean the world to the employee.
Write out notes to applaud
exceptional work

21. Have open brain-
storm sessions
Ditch the boardrooms and the rulebook. Hit 2 birds
with one stone and have an "anything goes"
brainstorm. Not only will you get some great ideas,
your employees will also be grateful that they
were included.
18.

22. Let them be in the
"know"19.
One thing that is true for all workplaces is that employees want
to be in the know. They want to be in the circle of trust. So do
just that.
Share the direction, mission, and vision for the company and
keep it alive with a weekly, fortnightly, or monthly newsletter!

23. Organize a
potluck
Good food, the whole team together, and friendly
banter over the last brownie, it's the perfect
recipe (pun intended) for team bonding!
20.

24. 21.Social events like a weekly team activity or minute game help employees
bond with others on the team who they don’t interact with on a daily basis.
Besides building friendships, it also builds a sense of community within
your organization.
HAVE MORE FUN

25. Well begun is half done.
ARISTOTLE

26. SOCIOADVOCACY.COM
Let's make
this work.
Choose well for your employees.