Gone are the days when employees were happy just to punch in, do their job, and clock out. People, especially millennials and Gen Z, want more from their work now. 

They want to feel excited about what they do like they're part of something bigger, and that their company actually values them. 

But let's be real, most people don't feel that way about their jobs.

Many feel disconnected, unenthusiastic, and like they're just going through the motions, doing it for the sake of it. 

The purpose of employee engagement ideas is to create a work environment where people feel motivated, empowered, and connected to the company's mission.

In this post, I'll share some tried-and-true employee engagement ideas that create a happier, more productive workplace.

6 Employee engagement ideas that will hit the mark

Here are some of the best employee engagement ideas that make people feel connected, valued, and excited about their work.

1. Allow employees to work when and where they’re most productive

Everyone's life is different. Some are morning people, others are night owls. Some have kids to pick up from school, while others have to deal with traffic. 

And one thing Covid-19 taught us was that work can be done from home. 

Flexible work arrangements give your employees the freedom to work when and where it works best for them. 

According to Quantum workplace’s study, hybrid and remote employees report higher engagement rates (81% and 78%, respectively) compared to on-site employees (72%).

Does that mean you should adopt a complete remote policy? Certainly not! But adopting a hybrid model is the way to go as it’s also one of the major employee engagement trends in 2024.

Ways you can implement a flexible working environment include: 

• Allow employees to work from home at least a couple of days a week so they can avoid long commutes and manage their time better.

• Let employees choose their working hours within a set range. For instance, instead of a strict 9-to-5 schedule, allow them to start and finish at times that suit their needs as long as they are getting their job done effectively. 

• Encourage employees to take time off when they need it without feeling guilty by offering additional personal days or paid time off (PTO).

• Consider offering a compressed workweek, where employees work longer hours over fewer days.

2. Let them bond beyond the desk

Creating opportunities for employees to connect with each other outside of their regular work tasks is one of the best employee engagement ideas that helps build trust and improve collaboration. 

One effective approach is organizing team lunches. Sharing a meal together breaks down barriers and gives people a chance to chat about things outside of work. 

Want to do something a bit more active? Try planning team engagement ideas. Think about what your team enjoys. If they love being outdoors, a hike or a picnic would be perfect. If they prefer something indoors, you can plan a board game night or a cooking class. 

Giving back to the community can also be a great team-building experience and will fulfill the CSR as well. Volunteering together creates a strong bond as you work towards a common goal. Plus, it's one of those workplace engagement activities that makes an individual feel good about themselves and their morale.

3. Offer perks that make the office feel less like work

Who says work can't be fun? A snack corner where you can grab a free coffee or tea, or maybe even a healthy snack, can be a little pick-me-up for your employees during the day.

You might also consider having a dedicated space for employees to unwind, like a lounge area with games or a quiet room for relaxation.

Employees spend a lot of time at their desks, so investing in ergonomic chairs and desks will help them stay comfortable and focused.

Flexible dress codes also enhance the work environment. Allowing casual attire can help employees feel more at ease and reduce stress. 

4. Give high fives generously

Everyone likes to feel appreciated for their hard work, so it's important to acknowledge achievements regularly. 

Simple gestures like a thank-you note, a shout-out in a meeting, or a mention in a company-wide email are some employee engagement ideas that can go a long way in making employees feel valued.

In addition to verbal recognition, consider offering tangible rewards, such as gift cards and extra time off to small bonuses. 

You can also set up a formal recognition program where employees can nominate their peers for awards. 

The key is to make sure the recognition is timely and genuine.

5. Provide them with a clear path to climb the corporate hierarchy

When people feel like they're stuck in one place, they get bored and might even start looking for a new job. But if they see a clear path to grow within your company, they're way more likely to stick around. 

Offer regular training and development programs that help employees build new skills and stay updated with industry trends through workshops and online courses.

Encourage employees to take on new challenges by giving them the chance to work on different projects or lead initiatives.

6. Trust them to get the job done

Imagine being told exactly what to do, how to do it, and when to do it all the time. Wouldn't that get boring? Your employees feel the same way, and to be frank, nobody likes micromanagement anyway. 

Giving them some freedom to make decisions and do their jobs their way can greatly increase employee engagement.

People are more likely to be engaged and motivated when they have some control over their work. Encourage your employees to take ownership of projects. Let them lead initiatives, make decisions, and see their ideas through to completion.

Autonomy doesn’t mean leaving them on their own. Make sure they have the resources, information, and guidance they need to succeed. 

Set clear expectations, but give them the space to achieve results in their own way.

Measure employee engagement to check effectiveness

Measuring the impact of ideas for employee engagement is essential to ensure that the strategies you've implemented are actually working. When employees are engaged, they’re more productive, satisfied, and likely to stay with the company.

It’s not enough to measure engagement once and move on. Employee engagement can change over time, especially as your company grows or as new initiatives are introduced. 

Regularly checking in on engagement levels allows you to adjust your strategies as needed.

By measuring employee engagement, you get a clear picture of how your team feels about their work, their colleagues, and the company overall.

There are several ways to measure employee engagement, and using a combination of these methods can give you the most accurate insights. 

1. Surveys

One of the most popular tools for measuring engagement. Surveys can be done anonymously to get honest feedback. They should include questions about job satisfaction, work-life balance, communication, and leadership.

2. Pulse Surveys

These are shorter, more frequent surveys that give you quick insights into how employees are feeling at any given moment. Pulse surveys are less time-consuming and can help you spot trends over time.

3. One-on-One Meetings

Regular check-ins with employees can give you a deeper understanding of their engagement levels. These meetings allow for open discussions where employees can express their concerns and share their thoughts on how things are going.

4. Exit Interviews

When employees leave, it’s important to find out why. Exit interviews can provide valuable insights into what’s working and what’s not in your engagement strategies.

5. Employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS)

eNPS is a simple metric that asks employees how likely they are to recommend your company as a place to work. It’s a quick way to gauge overall employee satisfaction.

Benefits of increased employee engagement

Increased employee engagement brings a lot of positive outcomes for both the employees and the organization.

Here are some of the best employee engagement benefits:  

Higher productivity

Engaged employees are more motivated to do their best work. They’re focused, driven, and take pride in what they do. 

This naturally leads to higher productivity. Similarly, disengaged employees are not emotionally connected to the company and hence, don’t really strive for the company’s best interests. They just do the bare minimum.

According to Gallup, businesses with highly engaged employees enjoy a 21% increase in profitability and a 17% boost in productivity compared to those with disengaged staff.

Better team collaboration

Engaged employees are more likely to communicate openly and work well with others. 

They’re invested in the success of the team and the company, so they’re more willing to share ideas, offer help, and collaborate effectively. 

Better employee retention

When employees feel valued and engaged, they’re more likely to stay with the company long-term. The turnover rates are low, so you save up on the costs associated with hiring and training new staff. 

Plus, having a stable workforce helps maintain consistency and knowledge within the team.

Long-term benefits for the organization

The long-term importance of employee engagement for the organization can not be understated. With higher productivity, better teamwork, and stronger customer service, the company becomes more competitive in the market. 

Additionally, when employees are engaged and satisfied, they’re less likely to leave, which helps build a stable, experienced workforce.

How can Formaloo help?

Happy employees are productive employees. 

The employee engagement ideas listed in this blog make people feel valued and excited about their work, which shows up in their performance. On the flip side, disengaged employees can drag down morale and hurt your bottom line.

Want to see how your employees really feel? Surveys are a great way to get a pulse on your team's engagement levels. 

Formaloo is an easy-to-use tool that lets you create custom surveys in minutes. With Formaloo, you can collect feedback, measure employee satisfaction, and identify areas for improvement. You can even add fun features like progress bars and image questions in your surveys to keep things interesting. 

Give Formaloo a try today.