Dear HR Manager from Concerned about Engagement

Dear HR Manager,

Employee engagement challenges our organization and affects overall morale. How can I effectively address this issue on my team?

– Concerned About Engagement

Dear Concerned About Engagement,

Low employee engagement can have serious implications for your team’s productivity and overall success, but there are actionable steps you can take to improve the situation. Consider these three strategies.

1. Address Digital Overload

Technology is critical in today’s workplace but can also contribute to stress. A recent survey found that 59% of employees feel overwhelmed by digital tools. Simplifying your tech stack and ensuring that tools are integrated can reduce distractions and allow employees to focus on what truly matters.

2. Empower Managers to Lead Effectively

According to Gallup, 70% of the variance in employee engagement is directly influenced by managers. To improve engagement, encourage managers to focus on coaching and developing their team members’ strengths, rather than micromanaging tasks. This shift will help foster a more supportive and motivating work environment.

3. Prioritize Human Connections in a Tech-Driven World

As workplaces become more reliant on digital tools, the need for genuine human connections is even more important. While technology facilitates communication, leaders must ensure it doesn’t replace meaningful interactions. Providing in-person collaboration, mentorship, and team-building opportunities can help maintain employees’ sense of belonging and engagement, especially in hybrid or remote environments.

To create more meaningful interactions for remote employees, consider hosting “virtual deep-dive sessions” where teams come together online for problem-solving marathons focused on specific challenges. These sessions encourage employees to collaborate intensively to create actionable solutions. Additionally, “remote pop-up collaboration zones” can be scheduled, where employees from different departments or locations can spontaneously join virtual rooms for short-term cross-functional projects. These pop-up zones create organic opportunities for collaboration and creativity, mimicking the informal interactions of physical offices and ensuring that remote workers feel integrated and valued across the organization.

Focusing on these strategies can improve engagement and create a more connected and productive workforce.

– HR Manager

Originally featured in UBA’s September 2024 HR Elements Newsletter.