Employee engagement is at the heart of a productive, motivated workforce, and employee recognition is key to engagement. As organizations navigate the evolving workplace landscape, HR leaders need innovative strategies to foster a thriving culture.
In our recent SHRM webinar, we were joined by two industry experts as we discussed the future of employee recognition and engagement: John Land, a Consultant at Mercer, who acts as their global subject matter expert in employee engagement; and Kari Carr, HR admin at JB Hunt, with over 25 years of experience in the space.
Read the recap of the webinar here to get the main points, or watch the recording here to enjoy everything these experts had to say.
Why Employee Engagement Matters
Employee engagement is more than just job satisfaction; it reflects how connected and committed employees are to an organization’s mission. Engaged employees are more productive, innovative, and loyal, leading to improved business outcomes. However, disengagement remains a significant challenge, costing companies billions in lost productivity.
Key Trends Shaping Employee Engagement and Recognition
Which trends do HR professionals need to be aware of for the future of employee engagement?
- The Rise of Remote and Hybrid Work: As organizations adapt to remote and hybrid work models, maintaining employee engagement has become more complex.
- Digital Transformation in Employee Recognition: Technology is playing a crucial role in modern employee engagement and recognition.
- Personalized and Frequent Recognition: Traditional service awards (e.g., 5-, 10-, or 15-year milestones) are no longer enough to engage today’s workforce.
- Linking Recognition to Organizational Values: Recognition programs are most effective when they align with an organization’s core values and mission.
Actionable Strategies to Future-Proof Employee EngagementThere are strategies HR teams and organizations can implement to help them stay ahead of the employee engagement curve, ensuring their employees are satisfied, productive, and happy, regardless of modern trends, growing expectations, or outside circumstances.
- Implement a Formal Recognition Program
- Foster a Culture of Continuous Feedback
- Utilize Employee Testimonials and Storytelling
- Prioritize Employee Well-being
- Leverage Data to Optimize Recognition Programs
John and Kari discuss these strategies at length, providing actionable best practices to help any leader in any industry.Looking Ahead: The Future of Employee EngagementAs organizations prepare for the future of work, employee engagement strategies must evolve, including recognition programs. They should be dynamic, technology-driven, and aligned with employees' expectations. By implementing forward-thinking initiatives, organizations can foster a thriving workforce, improve retention, and drive long-term success.Watch the webinar recording to learn even more real-world strategies and best practices from John and Kari. To see how Awardco can help you with employee engagement, schedule a demo here.
An avid lover of fantasy books, a proud Hufflepuff, and a strong proponent of escapism, Jeff has a love of good storytelling. He relies on that for both his professional work and his writing hobby (don’t ask about the 10+ novel ideas collecting virtual dust on his computer).
