It’s no surprise that today’s employees face several challenges beyond their everyday work, from navigating hybrid workplaces to shifting demands across industries. Roadblocks within the workplace—from lack of communication and feedback, limited recognition, and insufficient focus on well-being—can significantly reduce employee engagement. Yet this is a significant issue for employees and their employers alike. Disengaged employees are not likely to be putting forth their best work, which could reduce chances for personal growth and a thriving workplace. So what should employers do to address these challenges and foster a positive workplace for their employees?
At Mips, we conduct a weekly anonymous pulse survey, designed to measure employee engagement, enjoyment, and perceived work situations. Our company is proud to receive a score of 8.4 out of 10, indicating high levels of employee engagement and satisfaction. To get here, we’ve focused on fostering a workplace that prioritizes a mission-driven approach to business, innovation, and employee well-being. Here’s how.
Take a Mission-Driven Approach
At Mips, we want to provide head protection exceeding today’s safety standards to as many helmet wearers as possible; our mission is to lead the world to safer and more sustainable helmets. This mission-driven approach is incorporated into all aspects of the organization. By adhering to global frameworks, such as the UN Global Compact and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the organization, its employees, and its partners are given clear goals to achieve. The UN Global Compact is embedded into the organization’s Code of Conduct, which all manufacturing suppliers are obligated to sign. The 10 principles of the UN Global Compact pertain to human rights, labor laws, the environment, and anti-corruption; these are areas we focus on throughout the value chain.
Incorporating a mission into each aspect of business operations provides a sense of purpose that goes beyond profit, extending to how an organization will impact people, and the greater community at large. Furthermore, when people believe in the work they are doing, they are more likely to be dedicated employees and strive for growth within their roles. Ultimately, they know their work will make a difference. At our organization, safety and sustainability have taken center stage. Employees know their research and development initiatives, communications efforts, testing, and more will lead to a safer and more sustainable world.
Taking a mission-driven approach goes beyond the what to the why: Why does your company exist, and why does its work matter? Organizations must clearly define their purpose, why they are doing the work they do, and why this is important, beyond their bottom line. To drive engaged employees, there must be an emotional connection to why this work exists, and the impact it will have on the outside world.
Foster Innovation
Another critical component of driving employee engagement is fostering an environment that encourages innovation. To remain at the cutting edge of an industry or field, organizations must attract employees with the skills and passions to support both their mission and continuous improvement. And the organizations themselves must support these employees in their efforts to explore new ideas, test their theories, and apply new ways of thinking to age-old problems.
One of the key measures of our employee satisfaction is how strongly employees feel about their personal development prospects—for example, whether they feel they are learning new skills, if these development initiatives meet their standards, and how much they support their ability to work. Providing employees with the support and encouragement to explore their ideas provides not only a sense of ownership but the opportunity to discover new ideas and solutions.
Not every organization contains a research and development department, but every organization could stand to benefit from employees who are given the freedom to explore their ideas. Whether through a company-run program where ideas are shared, committees, or baked into the company culture, providing employees with the chance to follow through on their ideas provides a sense of ownership, inspiration, and engagement.
Don’t Overlook Well-Being
Creating a positive work environment goes beyond the work itself. Employers today must provide more than the basics when it comes to employee health and well-being. As a company dedicated to creating safer helmets, creating a safe and healthy work environment is paramount. This extends to numerous aspects of employee health, from prioritizing work/life balance and encouraging healthy practices such as exercise breaks during the workday to a wellness allowance and flexible work schedules.
Maintaining work/life balance can lead to fewer health problems, less burnout, and more employee engagement. Employees who have the ability to prioritize their health, hobbies, and life outside of work are more often able to bring their best work to the job.
Organizations should have a plan in place—whether it be dedicated offerings for health and well-being related services or office perks such as a gym or access to a gym membership—to establish a culture that promotes work/life balance to allow employees to unwind.
While there’s no one size fits all for fostering employee engagement, connecting to your organization’s why, providing employees with the space to innovate and create, and promoting a health-focused environment are all factors in an engaged and satisfied workforce.
