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Saturday, January 25, 2025
How to Improve Employee Engagement at Work

How to improve employee engagement? As we know, employee engagement is a critical factor in determining the success and growth of any organisation. Employees who feel valued are more likely to contribute meaningfully to the organisation's goals. For businesses in Malaysia, improving employee engagement is not just about increasing productivity but also fostering a positive and supportive work culture that attracts and retains top talent.
This article provides an in-depth look at how to improve employee engagement effectively. In today's competitive landscape, organisations must go beyond traditional management practices to create an engaging environment. Learn more about employee engagement here!
What is Employee Engagement?
Employee engagement refers to an employee's emotional commitment toward their organisation and its goals. It involves more than job satisfaction. It deeply aligns with the company's values and objectives, driving employees to perform at their best. As stated on Accessgroup, empowered employees tend to exhibit higher levels of engagement and motivation. In Malaysian workplaces, it is essential to offer opportunities for employees to take charge of projects and participate in decision-making.
Employee engagement is rooted in trust, mutual respect, and shared values. As Daniel Stein and friends from Harvard Business Review stated, engaged employees feel a sense of belonging and purpose, leading to increased motivation and loyalty. Organisations with high engagement levels report lower turnover rates, better customer satisfaction, and stronger overall performance.
The primary goal of employee engagement is to create a motivated, committed, and proactive workforce. Objectives often include:
Enhancing productivity through greater employee satisfaction.
Fostering innovation by encouraging open communication.
Building a supportive culture where employees feel valued and appreciated.
Employee engagement strategies have evolved over time, shifting from standardised HR practices to personalised approaches. Modern organisations leverage technology, such as employee engagement platforms, and focus on understanding individual needs. Implementation involves clear communication of company goals, regular feedback, and fostering a culture of collaboration.
According to a study by Gallup, 74% of employees feel more engaged when they believe their opinions are heard. Regular check-ins, feedback sessions, and anonymous surveys can create an environment where employees feel valued and respected.
How to Improve Employee Engagement
By prioritizing employee wellbeing, fostering a positive work culture, and providing opportunities for growth and development, companies can create an environment where employees feel valued, motivated, and committed to their work. To cultivate a highly engaged workforce, organisations can follow these practical steps:
1. Company Values and Mission
Aligning employees with the organization’s core values and mission is a powerful way to inspire commitment. Communicating these principles during onboarding and reinforcing them through regular interactions helps employees connect with the company’s purpose, driving engagement. Some research on 2022 results highlighted a strong positive correlation between values and engagement, supported by a structural equation model with an excellent fit (comparative fit index, 0.957).
Empowering leadership emerged as a key factor, showing strong connections to both employee engagement and psychological safety, which in turn positively influenced outcomes like patient satisfaction. These findings underscore the importance of leadership and trust in fostering a values-driven, engaged workforce.
2. Recognise Top Performers and Give Rewards
Acknowledging achievements fosters appreciation and motivates employees to excel. Implementing recognition programs that celebrate milestones through public commendations, bonuses, or incentives can significantly enhance engagement. Notably, increasing recognition frequency from quarterly to monthly boosts the likelihood of engagement and productivity by 40% and job commitment by 25%.
3. Provide Growth and Development Opportunities
Investing in employee growth demonstrates the company's commitment to its future. Offering training programs, mentorship opportunities, and clear career advancement paths is essential. Employees with access to professional development are 15% more engaged, and development opportunities are among the top drivers of employee engagement.
4. Foster Open Communication
Transparent, two-way communication builds trust and understanding. Regular team meetings, feedback sessions, and open-door policies allow employees to voice concerns and ideas, fostering a collaborative atmosphere. Employees value a symmetrical communication system and feel greater satisfaction when they are heard and valued.
5. Encourage Work-Life Balance
A balanced lifestyle significantly contributes to employee satisfaction. Implement flexible working hours, promote wellness initiatives, and respect personal time to ensure employees feel professionally and personally supported.
6. Build a Supportive Leadership Team
Leadership plays a critical role in shaping employee engagement. Equipping leaders with skills to inspire, empathize, and guide their teams effectively is vital. Supportive leadership behaviors have been shown to increase employees' satisfaction and engagement.
7. Leverage Technology for Engagement
Utilise digital tools to streamline communication, track performance, and provide feedback. Employee engagement platforms can offer valuable insights into engagement levels and help craft targeted improvement strategies.
Implementing how to improve employee engagement above is an ongoing journey that requires thoughtful strategies and consistent efforts. By aligning with your company values, recognising achievements, promoting growth, and fostering open communication, organisations can create a thriving workplace culture.
Try to begin your company journey towards enhanced engagement by take small, meaningful steps and witness the transformation in your team’s productivity and morale. Remember, engaged employees are the backbone of a successful organisation.
Improving employee engagement isn’t just about creating a positive workplace culture, it’s also about empowering your team with tools that enhance their financial wellbeing. One innovative way to achieve this is by adopting Paywatch, a revolutionary Earned Wage Access (EWA) solution designed to support both employees and employers in Malaysia.
Paywatch offers a unique approach to financial empowerment by allowing employees to access a portion of their earned wages before payday. Unlike traditional salary advances, Paywatch ensures responsible access by limiting withdrawals to a percentage of daily accrued earnings. This balance provides employees with financial flexibility while maintaining discipline in money management.
Discover how Paywatch can transform your company today. Learn more about its features and benefits by visiting Paywatch. Take charge of your workforce’s financial health and witness the positive ripple effects on engagement and performance.
Explore these resources for further insights on fostering employee engagement:
How To Improve Employee Engagement: 10 Steps
How Companies Can Improve Employee Engagement Right Now (Harvard Business Review)
How to Improve Employee Engagement in the Workplace
Kang, J. Y., Lee, M. K., Fairchild, E. M., Caubet, S. L., Peters, D. E., Beliles, G. R., & Matti, L. K. (2019). Relationships among organizational values, employee engagement, and patient satisfaction in an academic medical center. Mayo Clinic Proceedings Innovations Quality & Outcomes, 4(1), 8–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2019.08.001
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