How to Increase Employee Engagement: 12 Proven Strategies
Engaged employees motivate the people around them, do better work and strengthen your reputation as an employer. Yet many employees feel left out of decisions, unheard or undervalued – a culture that leads to burnout and a constant need to recruit. The good news is that engagement can be built deliberately. Here are 12 proven strategies to increase employee engagement, from trust and recognition to wellbeing and connection.
Table of Contents
1. What Is Employee Engagement?
Employee engagement is the emotional commitment people feel toward their work, their team and the organization's goals. Engaged employees are not just satisfied – they care about the outcome and put in discretionary effort.
2. 12 Strategies to Increase Employee Engagement
2.1. 1. Show Trust
Remote and flexible work let people plan their own hours, but many managers still micromanage, demanding constant updates. That breeds stress and a feeling of mistrust. Agree on regular check-in points instead, where everyone gets an overview of the work in progress.
2.2. 2. Make Meetings Human
For remote employees, meetings may be their only social contact with colleagues. Use video, do not jump straight into problems, and try virtual coffee breaks where work is off-limits – in the spirit of Swedish fika.
2.3. 3. Connect Work to Purpose
People want to know their work matters. As the Harvard Business Review highlights, employers should show how each person's performance contributes to the organization's purpose. Make goals and everyone's role in them clear.
2.4. 4. Involve Employees in Decisions
Being involved – even in small decisions – shows people their opinion counts. Letting employees propose new solutions also gives the company fresh eyes and builds trust.
2.5. 5. Recognize People Regularly
Gallup research shows that employees who feel recognized are easier to keep. Highlight both great teamwork and individual contributions. Recognition does not always have to be about work, either – celebrating a colleague's sporting achievement can inspire others to move more.
2.6. 6. Invest in Growth
Learning budgets, mentoring and new responsibilities show people they have a future with you.
2.7. 7. Develop Great Managers
Managers have the biggest influence on day-to-day engagement. Train them to coach, give feedback and support wellbeing.
2.8. 8. Listen – and Act
Run short pulse surveys and act visibly on what you hear. Nothing kills engagement faster than surveys that lead nowhere.
2.9. 9. Create a Motivating Work Environment
Understand what employees need to do their best work and keep up with tools that make their lives easier. Above all, a good environment is about happy people: shared lunches, board game tournaments or exercise challenges help colleagues connect and get to know each other.
2.10. 10. Support Healthy Habits and Mental Health
Healthy, well-rested employees cope better with stress and are less prone to burnout. Mental health matters too: according to the Mental Health Foundation, an estimated 15% of UK workers have an existing mental health condition. Check in regularly and offer support. Company wellness challenges are a great way to stay active together – see how challenges support team mental health.
2.11. 11. Offer Flexibility
Flexible hours and hybrid options help people balance work and life – one of the most valued benefits today.
2.12. 12. Build Connection Across Teams
Shared goals break down silos. Team and company challenges give colleagues who rarely meet something to talk about – here is how to use engagement to increase motivation and how to engage remote employees.
3. How to Measure Employee Engagement
- engagement or eNPS survey scores
- participation in voluntary activities and challenges
- retention and absence rates
- internal referrals and promotions
Find more metrics in our list of wellness KPIs.
4. Frequently Asked Questions
4.1. What is the fastest way to increase employee engagement?
Start with recognition and listening: thank people specifically and regularly, ask for feedback, and act on it visibly.
4.2. How does wellbeing affect engagement?
People who feel well have more energy, cope better with stress and are less likely to burn out – all of which supports engagement. Wellness activities done together also strengthen team connection.
5. Boost Engagement With YuMuuv
Wellness challenges bring colleagues together, support healthy habits and show people that the company cares. Book a demo to see how YuMuuv can help.
