Hidden Cost of Disengagement: How to Improve Your Bottom Line

It’s no secret that employee engagement is a crucial factor in influencing the productivity of the workforce. So, while everybody is entitled to have ‘off’ days, unfortunately disengagement has become the norm in the modern workplace leading to substantial losses in both time and revenue.

This worldwide challenge is now backed by research revealing that most employees waste on average 3 hours daily. This phenomenon is taking its toll on businesses, with an estimated $500 billion lost annually due to disengagement in the U.S.

But the issue can’t solely be blamed on employee laziness; only 20% of the workforce is truly engaged, indicating a systemic problem that needs addressing. Furthermore, companies excelling in employee engagement boast 21% higher profits, underscoring the importance of taking actionable steps to boost engagement.

Read on to learn the root causes of disengagement, the impact this has on organisational performance and key strategies you can implement to make a change.

Understanding Employee Disengagement:

1. Purpose

Monetary incentives are no longer sufficient to keep employees engaged. Individuals seek purpose and alignment with a company's values, and successful employees are three times more likely to work for organizations that uphold a greater purpose.

2. Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

A sense of belonging within the workplace drives engagement, with inclusive environments fostering greater participation. Addressing diversity and inclusion issues ensures that all employees feel valued and part of the team.

3. Burnout

Longer working hours often lead to diminishing returns. Studies indicate that taking time off can actually increase productivity. Overloading employees with work can result in overwhelm and disengagement.

4. Communication

Effective communication is paramount to aligning employees with company goals. Strong communication also prevents isolation, particularly for remote workers, fostering engagement and a sense of unity.

5. Incentives and Recognition

Incentivizing work and recognizing efforts are essential. Employees are more engaged when they feel their contributions are acknowledged and valued.

Simple Strategies to Elevate Employee Engagement:

1. Listen to Employees

Understanding the reasons behind disengagement requires open dialogue. Regular check-ins, surveys, and meetings can provide insights to enhance the employee experience.

2. Focusing on Wellbeing

Supporting employees' wellbeing demonstrates care and can help overcome various disengagement triggers. A balanced and healthy workforce is more likely to remain engaged and productive.

3. Infuse Fun

Infusing an element of fun into work can keep employees engaged and motivated. Methods like gamification, akin to the WeSoar App, can increase engagement by 60%.

Practical Solutions:

With the incredible technology we have today, there are unheard-of approaches organisations can take to improve employee engagement. One more effective approach is to leverage a real-time pulse of engagement by releasing surveys personalised to the employee.

Everyone is on a different journey, and asking questions to engage their experience should be personal. Therefore, by combining the employee lifecycle with pre-built surveys, you can cross-reference the employee’s current position to receive the most effective feedback. This will therefore provide actionable and realistic insights into your organisation. This approach not only engages employees, it helps managers, CHROs and CEOs gain a deeper understanding of their workforce.

To Conclude…

Addressing employee disengagement is pivotal for organizations seeking sustained success. By implementing these strategies, you can create a more fulfilling workplace, elevate employee morale, and ultimately drive productivity and revenue.

When it comes to putting these concepts into action, WeSoar stands as a partner, offering advanced software solutions designed to seamlessly integrate with your engagement strategies, ensuring a holistic approach to enhancing workplace dynamics and propelling your organization's growth.