Workplace culture is a formidable force within any organization, shaping the attitudes and beliefs that govern how work is accomplished. It permeates all aspects of the business, from everyday communications to the work environment and actions taken. This human factor is pivotal in keeping employees motivated, inspired, and secure in their roles.
From Good to Great: How to Measure Employee Engagement
Do employees care about workplace culture?
The significance of workplace culture
Today, employees place significant importance on workplace culture alignment with their own values. In the United States, a staggering 35% of the workforce would not even consider a job in an organization where employees feel the work culture doesn't resonate with their beliefs. Furthermore, a remarkable 91% of hiring managers prioritize applicant culture fit over experience and skills.
The impact on job performance
For most American workers, workplace culture holds considerable sway over job performance. It influences efficiency, the delivery of quality work, and customer service. When workplace culture deteriorates, approximately 71% of employees actively seek other job opportunities. This underscores the critical importance of nurturing a positive workplace culture and instilling a clear organizational mission.
The power of positive workplace culture
A positive workplace culture that champions community, inclusivity, and teamwork serves as the foundation for employee engagement. It yields up to 72% higher employee retention and engagement rates, creating a workforce that is more motivated, satisfied, and committed to the organization's success.
To measure employee engagement effectively and gauge the impact of your workplace culture, consider utilizing tools such as engagement metrics such as the Employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS). This metric allows you to assess employee sentiment, gather valuable insights, and take proactive steps to foster a thriving workplace culture that resonates with your workforce.
What are the three types of engagement levels?
Employee engagement is a vital metric for assessing the overall health and productivity of an organization. It reflects the emotional commitment employees have toward their work, colleagues, and the company's goals. Measuring employee engagement is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor; it encompasses a spectrum of engagement levels, each with its unique characteristics and implications.
Level 1: Engaged employees
Engaged highly engaged employees are the foundation of any high-performing organization. They are deeply committed to their work, passionate about the company's mission, and highly motivated to contribute their best. Engaged employees exhibit a strong sense of ownership, proactively seek opportunities for improvement, and are enthusiastic about collaborating with their colleagues. They often provide valuable feedback and innovative ideas, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Level 2: Disengaged employees
Disengaged employees represent a challenge for organizations. While they may fulfill their job responsibilities, they lack enthusiasm and passion for their work. Disengaged employees may feel disconnected from the company's mission and colleagues, leading to reduced productivity and creativity. They tend to be less motivated to go the extra mile or provide constructive feedback. Addressing the needs of disengaged employees is crucial to prevent their dissatisfaction from spreading and affecting the overall work environment.
Level 3: Actively disengaged employees
Actively disengaged employees pose a significant risk to organizational success. These individuals not only lack motivation and enthusiasm but also actively express their discontent. They may openly criticize company policies, undermine team morale, and resist change initiatives. Actively disengaged employees can have a detrimental impact on their colleagues, leading to a toxic work environment. Identifying and addressing the concerns of actively disengaged employees is essential to prevent their negative influence from spreading.
Measuring employee engagement involves assessing where each employee falls within this spectrum of engagement levels. Employee feedback surveys, one-on-one discussions, and performance evaluations are valuable tools for measuring engagement and gaining insights into individual engagement levels. Understanding the distribution of engagement levels within an organization allows leaders to tailor their strategies for enhancing employee satisfaction and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Workplace Culture: How Do Others Do It?
Domino's Germany
Domino's Germany has charted a remarkable journey in engaging its frontline employees, thanks to the company values innovative use of Domino's Chat, a branded employee app powered by Speakap.
Dennis Batbayli, Head of People and Culture at Domino's, spearheads this initiative by offering frontline employees a unique blend of company culture classes and leveraging the app's capabilities to nurture continuous engagement and professional growth. The result is a workplace that brims with excitement and motivation, driven by engaging elements such as quizzes, games, enticing prizes, a monthly webinar series, the Domino's Academy, and curated content tailored to cater to the preferences of younger talent.
Measuring Employee Engagement
One of the standout features of Domino's approach is its ability to measure employee engagement effectively. The app provides insights into its annual employee engagement survey, sentiment, and attendance statistics, empowering Domino's Germany to gauge the impact of its initiatives and make data-driven decisions to further enhance employee satisfaction.
The success story of Domino's Germany serves as a compelling testament to the transformative power of a well-crafted employee engagement strategy. By fostering a culture of continuous, engaged employee engagement and leveraging technology to measure employee feedback, organizations can aspire to cultivate a highly engaged workforce that drives success and innovation.
“Domino’s Chat helps employees to experience and understand our workplace culture. We ask for frontline employees' feedback on product launches, customer complaints, and management so all can feel heard and part of the team. Employees post questions and share best practices increasing productivity and efficiency. There is a general increase in excitement about the brand, and the usage of and engagement on our e-learning platform is much higher since we implemented Domino’s Chat.”
Dennis Batbayli
Head of People and Culture, Domino's
Clarkson Construction Company
Tara McKinney, Human Resources Director at Clarkson Construction Company, has orchestrated a significant transformation in employee engagement across three manufacturing and construction companies in the United States. This remarkable achievement improve employee engagement was made possible through the strategic implementation of the Speakap platform.
Challenges of a Geographically Distributed Workforce
Clarkson Construction Company faced unique challenges with a geographically dispersed workforce that lacked email access. These circumstances made it exceptionally challenging for management to communicate critical company information to all employees simultaneously. Additionally, building a sense of cohesion among the teams and catering to diverse generational communication preferences presented further complexities.
The Impact of Speakap
Upon introducing the Speakap platform, Clarkson Construction Company witnessed tangible improvements in its employee engagement strategy. One notable employee engagement success was the substantial increase in their bi-annual employee survey communication scores. This outcome underscores the effectiveness of the platform in bridging communication gaps, fostering a sense of belonging among employees and accommodating diverse communication preferences.
“It’s most likely because people feel they know more about what’s happening via the app. There’s generally a sense of pride and accomplishment as a team when photos go up in the app about company progress, such as working on a bridge or building a highway, without having to be on the job site. It’s very visual and great for increasing employee engagement.”
Tara McKinney,
Human Resources Director at Clarkson Construction Company
STULZ USA
STULZ USA, a manufacturing company, recognized the importance of fostering a sense of inclusion, empowerment, and belonging among their non-native English-speaking workforce. To address this, they introduced STULZ Connect, a dynamic employee app developed by Speakap. This strategic move aimed to bridge communication gaps, connect employees across language barriers, and nurture a vibrant workplace culture.
Sanne Oosterhoff, Group Operations Director at Nexeye, embarked on a mission to enhance the employee experience and communication within the organization. To achieve this, she introduced an employee communication app powered by Speakap. This initiative aimed to elevate engagement levels, strengthen the sense of community, and facilitate seamless information sharing across the Nexeye workforce.
Pulse Surveys and Annual Employee Engagement Surveys
Both organizations recognized the significance of employee recognition by regularly measuring employee engagement to gauge the effectiveness of their strategies. In addition to annual employee engagement surveys, they implemented pulse surveys to gather real-time feedback and insights from employees. This approach allowed them to tailor their engagement strategies based on employee feedback, ensuring that their initiatives remained relevant and impactful.
The Results: Improved Employee Engagement and Loyalty
The efforts of STULZ USA and Nexeye have yielded remarkable results. By focusing on improving employee engagement and fostering a sense of belonging, they have less employee turnover and cultivate a loyal and motivated workforce. These organizations serve as shining examples of how innovative engagement strategies, coupled with the right technology solutions, can transform workplace culture and drive organizational success.
“This employee engagement tool gives employees a voice and an opportunity to be part of the discussion. With the employee communication app's content, we aim to be closer to the people and connect in their language, culture, and customs. That way, we can keep the workplace culture recognizable, safe, and relevant to them.”
Sanne Oosterhoff,
Group Operations Director at nexeye