The rules of engagement - employee 'buy in' in action

By KMC Human Resources

15 Jul 2014

Employee engagement. This is a term that has been banded around a great deal in HR in recent years. Companies are often encouraged to have an ‘employee engagement programme’; aimed at getting the workforce ‘on board’ with the business’ vision and goals, encouraging a positive attitude to work and resulting in a motivated and hard-working workforce.

By Karen Credie, KMCHR.

This all sounds well and good, however, one has to ask how well this is really being put into practice in businesses? Is having an employee engagement programme or policy actually feeding down and having an impact on the workforce, or is the point sometimes being missed?

I would argue that it is. There is little point having such a policy or programme in place if it is not actually being implemented by managers and being fed through to the employees. Ultimately, having a motivated and engaged workforce is often the result of the fairly simple concept of recognition and reward; something that can easily get lost in amongst the jargon of a somewhat artificially constructed policy.

So as real employers and businesses, what can we do on the ground that will actually have a positive impact on our employees’ feelings and attitudes towards work?

When faced with a dissatisfied employee, or perhaps one that threatens to leave the business, often the first place employers look is at their pay. Whilst increasing an employee’s salary or hourly rate can do the trick in some cases, and give the employee some sense that they are being fairly recompensed for their work, it may be that there is a deeper rooted problem that this action may simply cover up for a period.

In fact, whilst it is often the case that monetary rewards are relied upon, psychologically, it has been proven that emotional rewards can have the biggest impact in terms of employee motivation.

Talking to staff, both informally and in regular appraisals is the first place to start. If we do not talk to our staff, how can we expect to unearth any potential issues before they really become a problem in our business? Appraisals also allow us to undertake formal goal setting and goal reviews – allowing us to stretch and challenge employees and reward them appropriately for any positive outcomes from previous goals that have been agreed upon.

Something that employers can often overlook is that employees have their own goals and aspirations in life that need to be allowed to come to fruition for that individual to feel completely satisfied.

Indeed, it may be that allowing something relatively simple into that person’s working day can provide a real boost to an employee without having an adverse effect of the business. For example, I was working with a catering business recently and upon talking to an unhappy employee, one of the things they complained about was that they had little opportunity to be creative and felt that they were always making the same dishes. Allowing this individual a couple of hours a week to work on ‘specials’ – dishes that were outside the normal menu and allowed some creative flair in the kitchen – was enough to make him feel much happier in his work without any adverse effect on the business.

Flexible working is something that employers may also be able to implement that will allow employees to be happier in their role. With the change in the law on 30 June 2014 meaning any employee can now make a request for flexible working, rather than just those with dependants, this is something that employers may have to consider more frequently.

Involving employees in business plans, informing them of the business direction and how they can be a part of it and asking for employee input into improving the way things are done can also go a long way to making employees feel valued.

So the lesson to be learned for implementing employee engagement is that an active approach needs to be taken in order for any of the desired effects to come to fruition. Having a policy is meaningless without an active process to back it up.

It is also important to think creatively about rewarding employees – talk to them regularly to find out what makes them tick. What may be meaningless to one employee may make the world of difference to another, so always treat staff as the individuals they are. For further help or advice on employee engagement and making it really work in your business, please get in touch. We offer a free initial one hour consultation to any business that is new to our HR services.

Latest news

1

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London. The Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds, the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon and the Rt Hon Steve Reed (L-R Front Row) David Hammond, and Daniel Knowles

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London.

30 Apr 2025

2

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield Edenfield housing development

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield

29 Apr 2025

3

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens Dovestone Gardens launch

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens

29 Apr 2025

4

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success Louise Kirby

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success

29 Apr 2025

5

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire Lidl

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire

29 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2
EV-land-2025-05B.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase
13421_research_knowledge_exchange_2025_600x300.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
07 May 2025 - 08 May 2025

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships
30478 Skills Bootcamp open day setting.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships

University of Central Lancashire, Preston , PR1 2HE

14:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin