One of the latest trends in the business environment is ‘employee involvement’, and the reason why this term has become popular is because it has established itself as a key differentiating factor in modern companies.
For large international companies, maintaining a high level of engagement among their employees is a challenge that involves not only effective inclusion work, but also the development of strategies that allow people of different cultures, experiences and ages to feel a certain level of identification and commitment to the place where they work.
In this way, employee involvement is not only essential for business growth, but also for survival in a competitive marketplace. This engagement has become even more critical as companies seek to retain talent in a post-pandemic world, where employee expectations have evolved and mental health and well-being have become priorities for business leaders.
What is employee involvement?
Employee involvement is much more than job satisfaction; it is an emotional and psychological bond that employees develop with their organisation, which motivates them to do their best.
This emotional connection ultimately translates into higher performance and lower turnover within organisations. In fact, studies show that engaged teams have higher profitability and productivity than those that do not. In addition, teams with high employee involvement also experience lower staff turnover and higher customer ratings.
The importance of employee involvement is that engaged employees contribute to the creation of a positive work environment. This environment improves team morale and fosters healthy working relationships, which is crucial for well-being at work.
Javier Sordo Gómez, Head of People at Thoughtworks, an ifeel partner company puts it clearly:
“Ensuring professional well-being, and as far as possible personal well-being, is absolutely critical. Personally, I couldn’t work anywhere where this wasn’t a priority. For me, having a good balance in that sense is more than 50% of the job. You can have the greatest and most attractive of work challenges, but it will do you little good if you don’t foster an environment where people feel supported in difficult times, both professionally and personally. The company has to be there for you’.
This statement underlines the need for companies to prioritise the holistic well-being of their employees as part of their employee involvement strategy, ensuring a productive and sustainable work environment.
Benefits of employee involvement
If companies want to succeed in today’s work environment, then employee involvement must be an integral part of the organisational strategy; as companies that prioritise it not only experience better financial results, but also create a strong organisational culture.
Moreover, this approach is essential in an environment where younger generations, such as millennials and Generation Z, value work-life balance and increasingly seek purpose in their work.
Increased employee involvement is not only a benefit to employees, but is also capable of driving organisations forward. Some of the most prominent benefits include:
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Increased productivity | Engaged employees tend to be more productive, reducing errors and improving operational efficiency. |
| Reduced turnover | A high level of engagement decreases employees’ intention to leave the company, resulting in lower turnover and therefore lower recruitment costs. |
| Positive organisational culture | A positive work environment creates a sense of belonging and cohesion among employees, thus strengthening the work culture. |
The Leadership Lens🔎
Leaders must recognise that the engagement of their employees not only drives performance, but also strengthens organisational health. Particularly in senior management positions, it is crucial to prioritise mental health in order to model a positive work environment.
By fostering a culture where mental well-being is as important as professional achievement, leaders not only inspire their teams, but also set a standard of care and sustainability at work.
Strategies for fostering employee involvement in companies
Encouraging employee involvement in companies is essential to ensure a productive and positive work environment, capable of enhancing employee performance. This is where the role of managers and executives plays a key role. Here are some effective strategies you can start implementing:
1. Open and transparent communication: Establishing clear and accessible communication channels where employees can express their ideas, concerns and feedback fosters a sense of security and belonging. Transparency in company decisions also builds trust and commitment.
2. Professional development: Provide ongoing opportunities for training and professional development. Mentoring programmes, workshops and technical training help employees grow and feel valued within the organisation.
3. Recognition and rewards: Implementing a recognition system that values employee achievements is a very effective way to reinforce positive behaviours. This can include formal awards, bonuses, or simply public recognition for a job well done.
4. Work-life balance: Promoting flexible work policies, such as telecommuting, flexible hours and extra days off, helps employees maintain a healthy balance between their work and personal responsibilities.
5. Culture of inclusion and diversity: Fostering an inclusive work environment where all voices are heard and valued not only improves levels of employee involvement, but also enriches the work culture.
6. Participation in decision-making: This involves involving employees in making decisions that affect their work and environment. This can be donethrough surveys, focus groups or improvement committees.
7. Mental and physical well-being: Implement well-being solutions that address both mental and physical health. This could include access to psychological counselling, gym memberships, or mindfulness workshops.
8.Feedback and evaluation: Establish a regular feedback system, where employees receive constructive feedback and can share their perception of the work environment. This helps to align expectations and identify areas for improvement.
9. Social impact projects: Involve employees in corporate social responsibility initiatives. This not only improves the company’s image, but also gives employees a sense of purpose and pride in their work.
Implementing these strategies consistently and tailored to the specific needs of the organisation can significantly transform the level of employee engagement, positively impacting the company’s culture and performance.
Trust the leaders in mental well-being
At ifeel, we know that employee involvement is essential for any organisation looking to thrive in today’s competitive marketplace. Prioritising it ensures not only short-term success, but also long-term sustainable growth and well-being for the organisation.
To support companies in this process, our team of expert workplace well-being psychologists has created a mental well-being solution for businesses that improves talent retention, reduces presenteeism, and combats employee stress.
With our mental well-being solution, your company’s HR managers can receive personalised, data-driven advice on improving mental health at work. In addition, this solution offers employees a 360° mental well-being service structured at different levels according to their needs. Try our solution now to see how it could help you.
We hope you found this article on employee involvement interesting. If you would like more information about our mental well-being solution for companies, simply request it, and we will contact your team as soon as possible.
