In the wake of the great resignation, companies are having trouble keeping employees engaged daily. With quiet quitting the new buzzword of the modern workplace, many managers are on high alert for signs of apathy and poor performance.
But engaging employees at work is a two-way street. Creating a collaborative workplace culture hinges on company communication, so it’s essential to start by reaching out to deskless workers who may feel unnoticed or underappreciated.
Wondering how to improve your workplace communication strategy? Here’s how better company communication can help your disengaged employees.
Why are Employees Disengaged?
There’s not a single cause of employee disengagement, but general lack of motivation is linked to poor communication from management and lack of employee trust. As a manager, the goal is to communicate clear expectations to team members, offer constructive and thoughtful feedback, and provide praise and recognition when employees do excellent work.
Unfortunately, maintaining a stream of conversation is difficult when employees are reporting remotely and there isn’t a centralized office hub. This is why it’s increasingly common for employees to feel uninspired, and fewer workers go above and beyond to produce top-quality results.
What are the Signs of Disengagement?
Signs of employee disengagement can sometimes be hard to spot since many “quiet quitters” are still completing the bare minimum required tasks.
In general, look for specific changes in behavior and productivity, including:
- Lack of participation in meetings.
- Failure to attend non-mandatory events.
- Lapse in productivity.
- Lack of enthusiasm and responsiveness.
- Failure to seek support from management.
How Can Communication Transform Employee Participation?
Effective communication is inclusive, transparent, and sincere. From changing your one-on-one conversation strategies, to implementing company-wide messaging platforms, there are numerous ways to improve overall communication strategies and improve workplace morale.
Be Straightforward and Ask Questions
Approach conversations with disengaged employees with curiosity. Clearly express your concerns about their performance, but pivot the conversation to ask questions rather than passing too many judgments. Chances are, employees will feel relieved to have the opportunity to air their frustrations and candidly discuss workplace challenges. Strike a balance between offering feedback and taking suggestions to create a collaborative dialogue rather than a punitive one.
Encourage Participation
Regarding participation in meetings, leave plenty of room for employees to share ideas and ask questions. Make sure it’s clear that participation is not only encouraged but it’s also expected. Employees can lead discussions, present ideas, and facilitate collaboration. By offering employees more agency during company-wide discussions, you encourage an environment of respect and equality.
Recognize Achievements
Everyone likes to have a pat on the back for a job well done, and recognizing employee achievements goes a long way. One of the main reasons employees are disengaged from work is because they feel underappreciated for their efforts. Employees reporting for duty remotely or working out across a large property might feel invisible to management.
Start by offering employees rewards for reaching certain milestones. Whether you instate an employee-of-the-month program or offer bonuses or small prizes for reaching specific goals, it’s important to incorporate company-wide recognition for employee achievements.
Invest in Communication Technology
For remote workers, most interactions with management are primarily online. This is why utilizing a sophisticated communication platform is essential for employee success.
Communication technology should incorporate multiple channels, providing a dynamic and customizable user experience. Communication platforms that offer intranet messaging, email integrations, and collaborative organization tools give employees the resources they need to participate in a vibrant workplace community. By adopting a communication platform, you’re investing in employee satisfaction and creating a framework that will support future growth and success.
Partner with Konverse
Whether you work in hospitality, healthcare, or sales, Konverse can provide your team with streamlined communication capabilities and unique solutions. Konverse is a communication platform designed to unite deskless workers. Combining sophisticated task management features with intranet messaging capabilities, Konverse provides your workforce with a secure, accessible platform where collaboration thrives. Plus, third-party integration capabilities make it easy to design a personalized experience that seamlessly incorporates current workplace tools.
