• 85% of the employees are not actively engaged – Gallup
• 69% of employees say they’d work harder if they were better appreciated.
• 81% of employees are thinking about leaving their jobs.

These staggering stats alone force organisations to invest in employee engagement activities. The HR best practices, the scope, the productivity, everything goes out the window if your employees are not actively engaged. Are certified HR courses the answer? To some extent, these online certified HR courses provide a ton of ideas to keep employees engaged and productive. However, before getting to that, you need to understand the benefits of having an engaged workforce.

Benefits of Having an Engaged Workforce

Engaged employees show:-

• 17% Increase in Productivity
• 10% Increase in Customer Ratings
• 20% Increase in Sales
• 21% Rise in Profitability
• 41% Reduction in Absenteeism

If you are worried about low engagement levels, read on to learn how you can cost-effectively engage employees.

1. It’s Time to Destress Them

One of the primary determinants of employee disengagement is work pressure. When the employees feel overburdened, they tend to detach themselves from work, tanking productivity. So, organise fun activities which are engaging and useful to learn something new. Take them out for a get-together, organise a party or annual reward function where the employees can connect and destress.

1. Offer them Flexibility

Employees all over the world are thinking way too much about work – they think about work while they are at work; they think about what tasks they need to be completed tomorrow while they are NOT at work. They need a break from this tedious routine. Offer them the opportunity to take a few leaves and relax. Furthermore, you can also ask your organisation to provide flexible working hours. Of course, the employees will be logging in the same number of hours, but at their own convenience.

1. Recognise Proudly and Loudly

It’s no secret that recognition can increase employee engagement dramatically. Giving them awards and showing them appreciation provides the employees with a clearer idea of how they fit into the company’s mission and how they’ve contributed to the growth. For instance, at Disney, employees know that customers are paramount, and they’re highly appreciated for creating a magical atmosphere, especially for the kids.

You can scout the internet for the best HR case studies to get an insight into how the big corps are handling things at their front. Or you can also enrol for certified HR courses which can provide exposure to such practices.

1. Let Them Know They are Being Heard and Cared For

Employees need to know that their ideas matter; they need to know that their organisation cares for their safety and well being. You need to spread the word and make sure the managers are welcoming to their ideas. Furthermore, you can formulate new policies wherein the employees’ medical bills and insurance are being taken care off. This will make them feel appraised and loyal to the organisation.

1. Promote Work-life Balance

Provide them with the freedom to work from home or flexible work timings too. Providing such facilities ensures that the employees are more engaged and not unhappy working in cubicles from 9-5. The best part? This is not going to cost your organisation a dime.

So learn how to promote a happy work culture at your organisation and the ideal way to do that is by pursuing certified HR courses. One such array of online programs HR professionals are relying on greatly are the XLRI courses in HR. Offered on the Talentedge platform, the XLRI courses in HR boast of an extensive curriculum that focuses on the importance, scope, and best HR practices.

1. Allow them to Take Trips

Sometimes, the employees feel trapped while coming to the office every day. Working in the same building, parking in the same space, walking the same steps, and doing the same work can be monotonous. So revamp your organisation’s leave policy and allow the employees to take trips or weekend getaways. You can even ensure that they are provided with a couple of days extra for festivities. This can significantly boost their enthusiasm and allow them time to refresh, helping them come back with a rejuvenated mind.

1. Help them Fight the Monday Blues

Monday blues are the worst. In fact, it all starts Sunday night before the employees head back to work on Monday morning. The ideal way to prevent Monday blues is by engaging them in a fun activity on Monday mornings. A Trivia contest, quiz, or even a short Dumb Charades games can give them a Monday pick me up.

Considering the evolving landscape of the business world, certified HR courses online are offering professionals the opportunity to express their thoughts and come up with innovative ideas to keep their employees engaged. And by way of group discussions, projects, and case studies, these ideas can be tested before they are implemented in the real-world scenarios.

1. Throw in a Few Monetary Gifts

Nothing in this world is free. Employee engagement doesn’t have to burn a hole in the organisation’s financial budget, but it can be minimal. For instance, offer employees gifts on festivals, birthdays, work anniversaries, etc., giving them a sense of belongingness and making them feel appreciated. So a few monetary gifts a year can really do the trick in keeping employees engaged.

1. Have a Weekly Fun Day

Last but not least, start a weekly fun day – perhaps Friday’s. Every Friday before the work shift ends, conduct a fun activity in the office premises like a treasure hunt, impromptu, or Pictionary, etc. Simply put, the employees can do anything they want except work. This can help employees jump into the weekend with a blast and return to work feeling fresh and well-rested.

Ready to Get Started?

Employee engagement is a much wider and critical concept than any other HR facet. In-depth knowledge into employee productivity and motivation is essential for organisational success and growth. By implementing the above-mentioned tips, you can improve employee engagement and reduce attrition as happy employees are loyal employees. Consider enrolling for a credible HR online course like the XLRI courses in HR and building prowess in employee engagement.