The Role of HR in Improving Employee Engagement and Productivity

A productive workforce is one that gets things done and exceeds expectations. It is a workforce that helps to create some of the most profitable companies that have ever existed. It is also precisely what every business owner or operator wants to be in charge of. 

Naturally, a productive and engaged workforce isn’t something that just lands in your lap. It must be cultivated, and there are important roles for the human resources department in that quest.

In this post, we’ll explore how your HR can provide the foundation for improving engagement and productivity.

How HR Improve Engagement and Productivity

It is critical to understand the role of human resources in this mission and what steps they can take to create a productive and engaged workforce that powers a business forward. 

The Recruiting and Onboarding Process

First and foremost, the HR department is responsible for bringing in new workers and training them to take on the tasks that they will be responsible for in their day-to-day lives on the job. Therefore, all HR specialists should be mindful of their impact on engagement and productivity during this essential moment. 

• Finding the Right Cultural Fit - Sadly, not every job applicant will be the right fit for the company culture that has already been established. It is something that has an increasingly obvious importance to hiring managers as surveys show that more than 9 in 10 hiring managers say that they consider it when hiring. Getting people in the door who will positively contribute to the environment in which they work is the first responsibility of any HR department. 
• Craft Helpful Onboarding Processes - It is highly intimidating for new hires to try to learn the ropes of a job that they have just been brought in for. Everything from the technology that they use to the chain of command within the business is all new to them. As such, it is best when HR managers can create a structured onboarding program that helps new hires better understand what is expected of them. This can shorten the training process and make it easier for those new hires to get up to speed more rapidly than they might have otherwise. 

Those are two things that any HR manager can do today to help kickstart some engagement and productivity. In short, they can start by bringing in the right people in the first place. 

Development of Skills 

Many employees want to feel challenged by the work that they handle at their job. Obviously, they don’t want to be overwhelmed by their responsibilities, but it is completely reasonable that they might have a desire to take on some challenges. 

Employers can focus on developing their employees' skills so that they are fully capable of embracing any challenge that is thrown their way. This includes asking the employees which specific areas they believe they could use some help with. You might find out that there are some blind spots in your training program and that employees are more than happy to guide you to help them get the resources that they require. 

Recognition and Awards

No matter who you are, it is always nice to receive some recognition or even an award for your hard work. We are social creatures, and the validation that we feel when we receive recognition from others for our accomplishments is hard to put a price on. 

HR managers can approach giving out recognition and awards in different ways, but some of the tried and true methods for presenting this praise include: 

• Having an Awards Event - Hosting an awards event from time to time to present employees with their awards in front of everyone else can be very engaging. It is an excellent way to show that you care and that you want everyone to be striving for the same things. Doing it in front of everyone is also a great way to improve the effectiveness of these awards because it creates a sense of accomplishment within the group. 
• Recognition E-mails - On the flip side of the coin there are private recognition e-mails. It is not always necessary to throw together an elaborate awards ceremony to show people that you care. Instead, simply fire off a private e-mail to the individual employee who has made an extra effort. They will still appreciate being noticed. 
• Small Gifts - Attached to the awards that are presented to employees can be small gifts for their efforts. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate. A simple gift card to a beloved restaurant or a fuel card to help make their life a little easier is a great way to go. 

Make sure you make these award events frequent enough that they have the impact that you want, but not so frequent that they lose all of their meaning. Find that happy medium and your employees will appreciate it. 

Improve Employee Well-Being

You cannot directly reach into the lives of your employees and make specific changes they don’t personally embrace. However, you can alter the atmosphere at work in positive ways that help to improve their well-being. 

Consider some of the following approaches: 

• Flexible Work Schedules - When possible, offer flexible work schedules to employees that can mold to the way that they live their lives. It will help them to know that they can get their work done on a schedule that is best suited to their lifestyle. 
• A Focus on Mental Health - Don’t overlook the mental health of your employees. You must truly give these kinds of things attention because neglecting them can lead to devastating outcomes. 
• Wellness Programs - Another worthwhile investment is in wellness programs for employees. Encouraging employees to take care of their mental and physical health means that the employer is going above and beyond to try to assist their employees in taking care of themselves. 

It is not possible to keep employees engaged and productive every second that they are on the clock. However, the action steps listed above will significantly improve the chances that the majority of the time spent on the clock is productive and valuable to the company. Consider putting these steps into motion right away. 

Enhance Engagement and Productivity with ABO!

ABO is an IRS-certified Professional Employer Organization (PEO) specializing in providing tailored solutions to support your staff and enhance employee engagement and productivity. By partnering with ABO, businesses gain access to comprehensive HR services, including streamlined onboarding, personalized development programs, and wellness initiatives designed to meet the unique needs of your workforce. With expert guidance and proven strategies, ABO helps create an environment where employees thrive, enabling your company to reach its fullest potential.

Reach out to ABO today to learn more about how our team can help empower your workforce and drive lasting success.