5 ways to use employee events to boost morale, heighten engagement, and productivity

Welcome back to The Employee Voice, WorkBuzz's monthly newsletter for HR and people leaders who want the very latest from the frontline of employee engagement.

Last week, we brought our entire European team together for our annual kick-off event—an exciting two-day celebration marking the launch of the next chapter of WorkBuzz. Beyond the celebrations, it was a moment for us all to pause, reflect on our achievements, and set the stage for the next 12 months.

In the workplace of today, where remote work is more commonplace and employee expectations continue to evolve, events like this are essential for building a strong workplace culture, increasing employee engagement, and fostering unity and a shared purpose. They highlight the vital connection between engaged employees and retention, showing that a highly engaged team is more likely to stay committed to a company, reducing turnover and enhancing organisational stability.

Here are 5 ways to use employee events to boost morale, heighten engagement, and improve productivity in your organisation:

1. Clarify organisational expectations

Employee events are a vital platform to communicate what your company is all about. In fact, a study by Gallup found that 71% of employees want their employers to be more open about what the company is trying to achieve. These events are a great way to do that, making sure everyone is on the same page about the missions and vision of your company.

2. Create a culture-driven shared experience

Maintaining a strong company culture is crucial, especially when things get tough. Events for employees help remind everyone about the values and behaviours that make your culture great, bringing employees closer together as a team.

A study mentioned in Deloitte's "Global Human Capital Trends Report" found that a huge 94% of employees think having a good company culture is crucial for success, showing just how important it is to keep everyone on the same page during employee events.

3. Establish your company as an employer of choice

In today's competitive job market, organisations need to stand out as great places to work. By providing fun and innovative experiences for employees, including engaging events, employers can make their reputation even better and attract top talent. Research indicates that 86% of employees think about a company's reputation as an employer when they're looking for jobs. (Source: LinkedIn, "Global Talent Trends Report")

4. Recognise performance

It's no surprise that when employees feel appreciated, they're more likely to stay motivated and engaged. Events are a great chance for organisations to give a shout-out to people who are doing a great job, whether it's one person or the whole team.

In a study called "The Impact of Employee Engagement on Performance" by researchers at Harvard Business Review, they found that 69% of employees would put in more effort if they felt their hard work was being noticed. This highlights just how important recognition is in driving productivity. (Source: Harvard Business Review, "The Impact of Employee Engagement on Performance")

5. Facilitate networking and collaboration

Building meaningful relationships across different parts of your company is about more than just getting along—it's also a big deal for increasing job satisfaction and productivity. In fact, a whopping 91% of employees believe that having strong workplace relationships positively impacts their overall quality of life. That’s why it’s key to schedule in some time at your event to have colleagues interact with one another. (Source: Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), "Employee Job Satisfaction and Engagement Report")

Click here for a sneak peek into our recent company event and explore here how fostering employee engagement through initiatives like this can enhance your organisation's culture and performance.

The world is constantly changing, and so is the workplace. Stay informed about the shifting dynamics of teams and the future of work with insights from industry experts by subscribing to The Employee Voice newsletter, powered by WorkBuzz.