Employee engagement at the workplace has improved after years of decline, according to a recent study.
Researchers examined workers' emotional and intellectual involvement, covering more than 9.7 million employees in the U.S. at more than 3,000 organizations. They found that 58 percent of employees were engaged in 2011, a 2 percent increase over the previous year, according to Aon's report.
Fewer employees believed that innovation and effective communication were characterizing their workplace, and perceptions of safety and security also declined. On the other hand, employee perception scores for effective leadership, rewarding relationships with customers and a positive work environment all increased. The last was due to the people and HR practices in use, which suggests HR management systems and policies may be working well for most firms.
Strengthening engagement
The report noted that career opportunities were the leading factor in employee engagement for the fourth consecutive year. This focus may be enhanced by the slow job market and economy, making the chance for advancement, lateral promotion and other opportunities more attractive.
Effective communication and recognition for employees' achievements and contributions are also important. Positive reinforcement and taking note of the work people have put in can have a major impact, and researchers note it only costs a little time and effort. Above recognition, however, North American employees were more concerned with their organization's reputation in the market.
Many workers remain unengaged despite last year's improvement. Employers can focus on these factors to develop policies and practices that yield the maximum improvement. Researchers also indicated that engagement may benefit productivity and employee retention, so firms concerned with recruiting and holding on to talented employees may benefit particularly.
