Actions that will Boost Frontline Engagement and Retention

Research by Bersin and associates stated that companies invest approximately $720 million annually to ensure an engaging and thriving work culture. Companies like Google and Microsoft focus on building a healthy work culture and have invested in several recreational spaces such as a chef's lounge, massage centers, gyms, swimming pools, and other areas that can ensure a highly engaged work culture. 

A workplace or organizational culture refers to the habits and behaviors employees exhibit in their workplace. Employee efficiency, engagement, and encouragement showcase the best example of thriving workplace culture.  

While the Pandemic shattered all the ceaseless endeavors implemented by corporates to build workplace culture, even today, many companies are affected and are still trying to figure out ways to re-establish their corporate cultures.  

How influential is workplace culture? 

A workplace culture ensures a cooperative environment among the employees, accompanied by workforce engagement which results in higher productivity and optimized workflow within the company. Companies need to emphasize building work cultures and increasing employee engagements for the long run, as they are the building blocks of a company's profitable roadmap. There are many ways for corporates to optimize their workforce engagement. 

Check out our blog to read about five simple ways to increase workforce engagement. 

How has the Pandemic affected the workplace culture? 

The whole planet's economy was sent into dismay, with companies incurring unbearable losses, and after the Pandemic, with employees back in the offices, the first thing they worked on was rebuilding the culture. Working from home with supervision, employees felt disconnected from their companies, resulting in low productivity and social isolation. Returning to the offices post-pandemic, blending in with the walls and cubicles took much longer than anticipated.  

Perhaps on a different note, a separate debate over the most productive mode of working from hybrid, on-site, and work from home. While many recruiters and analysts believe on-site work is the most effective, the new age and practical solution providers say otherwise. Remote working has been on top of the mind, and it is shocking to see that employees want to get out and visit the office every day for work. 

Irrespective of the operational mode, building a workplace culture has little to do with an employee's physical presence in the office. Many factors come into the picture; hence, the ideal work mode changes from employee to employee. What remains unequivocal is the conduct by corporate leaders that can change the course of workplace culture in the company. 

Five ways corporates can rebuild their positive workplace culture 

Adapt to post-pandemic work preferences 

Let employees choose their mode of work individually. When employees are free to assess all the tiny nuances while working, they can provide a more precise decision from their end, eliminating the chances of internal dispute and creating an overall positive work atmosphere.  

Most of the employees go for a Hybrid mode of working as it reduces the stress on an individual and allows them to be physically present to align with the team. Since 61% of the workforce in America say that they are burned out at work, hybrid mode can come to the rescue with lesser pressure to handle for an employee.  

Communicate effectively and stay engaged 

One of the significant reasons behind internal distress and arguments is miscommunication among employees. While most disputes are solved immediately, slight negligence can create a hostile environment for other employees. This is very often addressed as a toxic work environment.  

A meaningful way to build positive work culture is to eliminate factors leading to negative work cultures. Communicating effectively can eradicate such unwanted circumstances and improve relations between employees. This will also increase employee engagement and the collective productivity of a company. About 85% of the employees claim to be the most productive when the internal communications are effective. Corporate and team leaders should take the task of effective communication as their responsibility. 

Provide recognition on practicing company values 

According to Forbes, about 93% of the workforce believes empathy to be essential while retaining employees. communication is vital for flourishing work culture. However, it is critical that corporate leaders periodically interact with their employees, both on-site and remote.  

Providing employees with constructive criticism, praise, and recognition can enhance employee-company relationships. This will also result in increased engagement by the employee, whether they are physically present in the office or are keeping up with the pace remotely.  

Introduce light-hearted events and games to bring unity  

Even when a company's workforce is actively engaged with the company's growth and workload, employees often feel unhooked with the office environment. A study by TonerBuzz states that 33% of the employees have thoughts of resigning due to boredom. Boredom might seem a flashy word for corporate cultures, but from a more realistic point of view, it is a challenge faced by almost every company.  

To tackle this issue and connect employees with the company atmos, they regularly host unwinding sessions such as game nights, office parties, celebrations, and other refreshments. Unwinding sessions and light-hearted events help employees escape their monotonous routine, feeling fresh and more motivated to work. Today, offices with fun lounges are seen very often, and employee engagement is the reason behind it.  

Connect to each employee, individually 

As a corporate leader, it is essential to connect to each employee individually. Catching up with fellow staff, and exchanging thoughts and ideas, both; intellectual and amusing, can help understand the workforce better. With better insights into employees, leaders can moderate the cultural dynamics and transform the work culture into an all-accepting work environment for the staff. 

Connecting emotionally is also paramount as it can enhance the employee's experience, helping them feel more comfortable in their surroundings. Many leaders interact with their workforce to connect and, at times, assess their productivity, which is a necessity as it can help optimize workload assignment. 

A highly engaged workforce proves to be 21% more profitable for the company, and the disengaged employees alone cost about $550 billion to US companies annually. 

While building a work culture, many corporates frequently forget the purpose of creating a culture. They mistake physical activities and norms as a culture when it is only a part of the bigger picture. Work culture is not the employee participation in activities conducted by the office instead, it is practicing daily rituals and being involved in the work and non-work ventures of the office.   

Corporates should strive to build a positive work culture post-pandemic through inclusiveness and engagement. 
 

Written By:
Aviskaran Team
Content Writer, Aviskaran Technologies