In today's fast-paced and ever-changing business environment, fostering a workplace where employees feel valued and engaged is more important than ever. At ICG Medical, we believe that a dedicated and motivated workforce is the cornerstone of our success. In this blog, Kelly Cooper, our HR Director, explores the critical strategies that drive employee engagement, from open communication and recognition to personal development and a positive work environment.
Fostering open communication and encouraging transparent dialogue between employees, managers, and leadership in a safe space ensures that employees feel valued and listened to. When employees see improvements based on their feedback, it drives engagement. We know that more engaged employees are more productive and less likely to look elsewhere for work.
Recognising and rewarding achievements, from a simple thank you to a public shout-out during a business call, goes a long way. Recognition can range from a one-on-one thank you for a job well done to a certificate or a peer-nominated award for going above and beyond. This significantly enhances employee engagement. Additionally, when people are promoted or recognised, share the 'why' so others know what behaviours or work are rewarded in the company.
Investing in personal and professional development by providing learning and growth opportunities, even if it's the chance to work on a project outside their usual role, shows commitment to their career growth. Knowing they are on a career path or development plan drives engagement and retention.
Cultivating a positive work environment by fostering a culture of respect, trust, and collaboration is crucial. Who doesn't want to work in a positive workplace?
Ensure there is a clear goal-setting and performance management process. Set clear expectations for all team members, hold them accountable for achieving them, and give them autonomy in how they do this. Also, be aware of the team members' expectations from you as their leader and the business to ensure they are thriving.
Hybrid working is still popular and a key consideration for many candidates. 98% of workers claim to want to work remotely at least a couple of days each week. While large companies may be trying to bring people back into the office, hybrid working is essential when attracting the best talent.
Assess the skills you have today versus the skills you need tomorrow and recruit to future-proof your organisation while also upskilling current employees. This is essential for driving staff retention and enabling you to navigate technological and sector-specific changes to remain competitive.
Job seekers count DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) commitment as one of the key factors when looking for a new employer. Using tools to eliminate unconscious bias and ensure fair and inclusive hiring is important. Demonstrating a genuine commitment to DEI initiatives is also crucial, as candidates will know if you are merely paying lip service.
A study by Gartner showed that diverse teams perform 12% better on average than those that are not diverse, and the intent to stay with an organisation increases by 20%.
Training should be provided to the entire organisation on biases to create awareness of our own biases and their impact, as well as to promote inclusive behaviours.
Leaders must set an example by creating safe team environments, encouraging open dialogue, active listening, and showing empathy.
We must practice objective decision-making in HR activities such as recruitment and succession planning.
Above all else, fostering diversity and inclusion requires commitment at every level in the company. This is not solely a leadership or HR initiative; the entire company must be responsible for driving a culture that respects and encourages diversity and inclusion.
Building a culture of engagement, diversity, and inclusion is not just a responsibility for HR or leadership—it requires commitment from every member of the organisation. By implementing these strategies, we can create a workplace where employees are not only productive but also passionate about their work. At ICG Medical, we are dedicated to fostering an environment where every team member feels valued, heard, and empowered to grow. Together, we can navigate the challenges of the recruitment world and build a future-ready workforce that thrives on respect, trust, and collaboration.
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