The long fog of Covid is lifting and folks are returning to the workplace. With so much time passing, you may find that not all employees are eager to get back into the thick of things. Here are some tips that can help get your team re-engaged.

Acknowledgement

Recognize your staff’s hard work during the past year. Let them know that you appreciated how they maintained a high level of professionalism, during an unprecedented time. Let them know that you appreciate and value them.

Reward Employees who show initiative. Employees for the most part are good at doing their job and they enjoy doing it. Acknowledge that you see their efforts and value what they bring to the team. For those individuals who really stand out a small token like a certificate can go a long way. People love to have their efforts noticed by their managers/boss. This reestablishes the fact that they are valued.

Communication

Nothing is more infuriating than unclear roles, rules and assignments. Poor communication can lead to disengagement, resentment and poor morale.

Clearly Defined Roles, Responsibilities and Objectives. If an employee is confused about a project, how can they put their best effort forward. With everyone freshly back it would be a good time to sit down and go over what the level of expectations are. What responsibilities that person will have. What is the expected outcome and what metrics will be used to evaluate the work.

Encourage participation. You hired these individuals for a reason, promote an atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable introducing their ideas. Promote an atmosphere where people feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas. Let them know that if at first, they are uncomfortable speaking up in front of a group, your door is always open. Thank them for their suggestion and if the idea is one that you plan to implement recognize them at the next meeting. This will build their confidence and allow them to feel more comfortable bringing up ideas in front of the group.

Camaraderie

Enhance the quality of the work office. We spend a minimum of eight hours a day together, your co-workers are basically your second family. It is possible to have both a professional and fun atmosphere in the workplace. Life, whether its personal or at work can be stressful and this can affect productivity. Make time to help the office decompress.

One option is to schedule an after-work meetup. It can be a time for workers to engage with each other in a more relax atmosphere. Try treating the office to lunch once a month or quarter depending on your budget. There is also the option of scheduling a potluck lunch. This allows staff to showcase their cooking talents or bring in food that shows off their tradition. Nothing better than a slice of homemade pie from grandma’s recipe.

Another great option is to schedule some non-mandatory fun activities away from the office. Some good options could be paint ball, go-kart racing even a day at the beach or park. It doesn’t have to be extravagant, just something that is fun. This reassures your commitment and appreciation to the team along with creating a more unified group.

Engaged employees can make an office thrive. Real engagement is great for office moral and team cohesion, it also makes good business sense. Satisfied employees create a higher quality of work and are more apt to remain with the company. These ideas are not only a good way to reengage staff, they also allow companies to introduce team building and retain their top talent.

Apart from making the workplace a happier place, engaged employees just make good business sense. Not to mention the happier the employees, the less likely they are to look for a new job – and everyone wants to hold on tight to their top talent.

If you’d like to learn more ways D/A Consultations can help you grow or strengthen your business, send me an email at Deandrea@daconsultation.com. Check out our website for the many ways we can help. DAConsultation.com or give us a call (216) 200- 6558.