How to improve employee engagement (strategies & gift ideas)

Recent polls found only one-third of employees are engaged and happiness has reached a three-year low. You may be wondering what’s causing these issues, and more importantly, how can you fix it? Read on for creative solutions and employee recognition gift ideas to boost productivity and morale.

Before addressing how to fix employee engagement, it’s important to understand what’s causing the disconnect. Here are some common factors:

Internal issues like poor communication, minimal recognition, and ineffective leadership can lead to low morale and engagement. A lack of direction, guidance, and support disconnects employees from the company's goals and initiatives.

Decreased visibility of remote workers can make employees feel overlooked or underappreciated, resulting in a decline in morale. As employees' expectations have evolved, many organizations struggle to adapt to these changing dynamics. Remote work has brought new challenges in engagement, with many workers struggling with isolation, blurred boundaries between work and home life, and a lack of connection with colleagues.

Ongoing health concerns, economic instability, and disruptions to daily life have taken a toll on everyone’s well-being. Workers feel drained and overwhelmed, making it difficult to stay motivated and focused.

Remote work has many benefits, including increased flexibility and independence, but it also presents unique challenges for managers and team leaders. Effective communication keeps remote teams on track, but prioritizing connections is the key to building a cohesive team. This could involve taking things off-screen by organizing team retreats or creating structured fun opportunities like online happy hours.

When it comes to engagement, one size doesn’t fit all. Consider the individual personalities of your employees. While icebreakers may sound engaging to your extroverted team members, they could have the opposite effect on your introverted employees. For independent workers, offer a variety of communication channels, such as email, Slack, and other online collaboration tools to accommodate different preferences and comfort levels. Have resources available and make them optional rather than mandatory. This approach helps employees feel empowered and autonomous, leading to increased happiness.

Employees want to feel their work matters beyond their paycheck. Consider what societal impacts your business can achieve, and connect that larger purpose to your employee’s actions. 

Take the comfort apparel brand, Bombas, for example. For every item purchased, they donate an item to someone experiencing homelessness. Bombas has sold and donated millions of pairs, continuing to innovate while making a positive impact. The results speak for themselves: 96% of employees say Bombas is a great place to work and 100% say they feel good about how they contribute to the community. Their success has been recognized by industry leaders, like Forbes and Culture Amp.

Your greater purpose may not be as direct as Bombas', but it should still be something tangible that your employees can connect with. Feeling part of something bigger will boost engagement and retention.

According to a survey, US workers are more overworked than those in any other developed country. Between limited time off and pressure to work longer hours, burnout is common. To prevent exhaustion, find ways to give time back.

This might include mandatory time off or after-hour email restrictions to promote work-life balance. Gifts that encourage relaxation and self-care complement these efforts, reinforcing the importance of mental and emotional health.

Rewards and recognition play a crucial role in engaging employees. Be mindful of the details — your employees will know the difference between genuine appreciation and recognition done to check a box. Consider how you show your appreciation by giving gifts that align with their interests and hobbies, or personalize items to show your gratitude.

Happy employees are more productive and contribute to a positive workplace culture. Prioritizing employee engagement with recognition programs and connection opportunities can contribute to a more loyal and committed workforce, ultimately leading to business success.