Gallup’s State of the American Workplace report found that 70% of US employees were not engaged or actively disengaged from work. These stats are especially troubling when there is such a strong business case, and competitive advantage, for having an engaged workforce.

Not only does engagement have the potential to significantly affect employee retention, productivity and loyalty, it is also a key link to customer satisfaction, company reputation and overall stakeholder value. It’s now important to have an engaged workforce for a business to succeed.

In this article, we discuss what workplace engagement is, varying levels of engagement amongst employees and how emerging technologies can be your greatest ally for boosting your employee engagement.

What is employee engagement?

Workplace engagement describes:

• The commitment / willingness and ability to help the company succeed
• Staff involvement
• Enthusiasm for work
• Positive attitudes employees have about the company

It’s important to note that workplace engagement differs to employee satisfaction, which describes how passionate employees feel about their jobs. As the definition covers a variety of factors, it helps to understand varying levels of engagement amongst employees in a workplace.

Varying levels of engagement amongst employees

There are three types of employees:

• Engaged employees
• Actively disengaged employees
• Non-engaged employees

Engaged employees (15% of the workforce):

• Put maximum effort into their work
• Are loyal and committed to the company
• Excel at their responsibilities
• Go beyond the job description and go the extra mile
• Are enthusiastic
• Feel connected to the company

Actively disengaged employees (18% of the workforce):

• Will harm your company
• Are always negative
• Are unhappy at work and they are vocal about this and act out their unhappiness
• Drive away business
• Take up managers’ time
• Actively working against the company

Actively disengaged employees undermine what engaged workers do and spread negativity throughout the company.

Non-engaged employees (67% of the workforce):

• Are difficult to notice as they’re doing just enough to fulfil their role requirements
• Lack motivation and enthusiasm
• Are relatively happy in their role
• They do not go beyond what they need to do – they do their hours but lack passion for their work
• Are not invested in the company’s aim
• Lack concern about productivity or profitability – they lack the care
• They are thinking about the end of the workday

Most of the workforce falls into the category of non-engaged employees. However, these workers are full of opportunity which can be accessed once you convert them into engaged employees – this is an extremely effective way of increasing performance and helping a business succeed.

Embracing technology to elevate employee engagement

In today’s digital age, organizations must leverage emerging technologies to enhance employee engagement. Here are key strategies to achieve this:

1. Employee recognition platforms

Employee recognition is a cornerstone of a motivated and engaged workforce. In the digital era, harnessing technology to facilitate recognition can have a transformative impact on your organization.

Several renowned platforms, such as Nectar, Mo, Fond, and Bonusly, have revolutionized employee recognition. Nectar, for instance, offers a comprehensive solution that includes peer-to-peer recognition, performance tracking, and personalized rewards, making appreciation an integral part of the workplace.

Mo empowers organizations to create a vibrant and appreciative workplace culture, ultimately leading to increased productivity and business success.Fond stands out for its diverse rewards catalog, allowing employees to choose their preferred incentives, from gift cards to experiences.

Bonusly, on the other hand, emphasizes social recognition, creating a sense of community and camaraderie among colleagues. These platforms showcase the diversity of options available to organizations looking to enhance engagement through technology-driven recognition.

2. AI-enhanced onboarding

Welcoming new hires with a seamless and personalized onboarding experience is crucial for their successful integration into the company. Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) takes this process to the next level, ensuring that new employees feel engaged and valued from day one.

AI analyzes individual profiles and roles, providing new hires with tailored information relevant to their specific job responsibilities. AI also offers interactive tutorials, videos, and simulations, making the onboarding process more engaging and hands-on. This immersive approach enhances the learning experience and boosts retention.

One example of AI-enhanced onboarding is Sana Labs. Sana Labs specializes in using AI and machine learning to personalize learning experiences.

They have applied their expertise to employee onboarding by creating tailored training programs that adapt to the unique needs and preferences of each new hire. This not only streamlines the onboarding process but also makes it highly engaging and effective.

3. Mixed realities for training

Embracing mixed reality (MR) technologies, which encompass augmented and virtual reality, for employee training is a game-changer. MR creates immersive learning experiences, making training engaging, interactive, and unforgettable.

VirtualSpeech is a standout example of a company using VR and Generative AI to redefine employee training. They offer a range of VR training modules that cover areas such as public speaking, sales, leadership, and diversity and inclusion.

Through VR, employees can enter realistic, immersive environments where they practice skills, make decisions, and interact with virtual scenarios and AI-powered avatars.

MR training captivates learners by transporting them to lifelike situations where they can apply their knowledge and skills in a risk-free environment.

Incorporating MR technologies like VirtualSpeech into your training programs ensures that employees are not just informed but actively engaged in their learning. The result is a well-prepared, confident, and skilled workforce ready to contribute effectively to your organization.

4. Performance management software and goal setting

Performance management is a critical component of an organization’s success. By implementing performance management software, companies can facilitate continuous feedback, track goals, and conduct transparent performance evaluations.

This technological approach makes the performance management process more agile and engaging for both employees and managers.

Some examples include Kallidus, Personio, and Employment Hero. This platforms streamline feedback, goal setting, and evaluations. These tools enable agile performance management and empower employees by promoting continuous feedback and transparent evaluations.

By using such software, organizations foster an engaging environment that aligns individual goals with the company’s objectives, ultimately driving improved performance and success.

5. Collaborative tools for teamwork

Investing in digital collaborative tools is essential for organizations seeking to boost teamwork and employee engagement. These tools, exemplified by platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams, facilitate seamless communication and project collaboration.

Investing in digital collaborative tools not only improves productivity but also cultivates relationships and enhances employee engagement.

6. Employee feedback platforms

Organizations can harness the power of employee feedback platforms to create a culture of continuous improvement and engagement. These platforms facilitate the collection of ongoing feedback, ensuring that employees’ voices are heard.

This encourages a culture of open communication and constant improvement. Some examples include Trakstar, Deel and Leapsome.

7. Social events and virtual team building for remote teams

In an era of remote work, maintaining team cohesion and morale is more important than ever. Tools like Virtual reality (VR) offer an innovative solution for hosting social events and team-building activities, ensuring remote teams remain engaged and connected. Prominent examples include platforms like Teambonding and VRE international.

By leveraging VR for social events and team building, organizations ensure that their remote teams not only stay connected but also remain engaged, motivated, and ready to collaborate effectively, regardless of physical distance.

In summary

Considering that employees are said to be a company’s best asset, their wellbeing and support should be a priority – top companies see employee satisfaction as a goal, and this is reached through workplace engagement.

An individual’s potential goes beyond their job description and if you change employee experience into a rewarding and motivating one you will be able to access this potential and consequently improve your organisation’s business outcomes.