The Importance of Employee Engagement
- Employee engagement improves job satisfaction by providing employees with the opportunity to do work that they feel makes a difference to the organization. Workers experience greater levels of employee engagement and job satisfaction when they perceive that there is an opportunity to make a contribution to the organization through the use of individual talents. Employees and employers both benefit from maintaining high levels of job satisfaction in the workplace. In addition to the obvious benefit of simply being happy at work, engaged and happy employees tend to suffer fewer stress-related illnesses and miss less work. Additional benefits to the employer include increased productivity, loyalty and improved customer service.
- High levels of employee engagement typically exist within an environment of trust. Trust in one's co-workers and leaders alike builds engagement. Leaders are typically more able to trust employees who are engaged and committed to their work. Workers also tend to exhibit higher levels of trust for leaders who are committed to achieving organizational excellence through the engagement of employees.
- According to a 2006 "Ivey Business Journal" article, employers who encourage work practices designed to increase employee involvement and engagement may expect greater retention of highly qualified workers than those who do not. Engaged employees who experience high levels of job satisfaction and perceive that they are valued team members are more likely to envision themselves committing to the organization over the long term. Organizations with high levels of employee engagement can often expect to save a great deal of money on turnover costs. These organizations are also more able to retain the knowledge possessed by long-term employees.
- Engaged employees are committed to the organization's success. This commitment, combined with the other benefits of employee engagement, has a positive impact on the organization's profits. Increased productivity generally equates to increased revenue, while decreased absenteeism and turnover equate to greater cost savings.