30 Ideas for Employee Engagement

When it comes to employee engagement, we know that the correct employee engagement activities may lead to happier teams, more efficient processes, and more production. Here are some employee engagement ideas, ranging from lighthearted activities to creative, technology-driven solutions.

Not all employee engagement activities are equally effective.While some team members may not relish taking part in challenges, others, especially those who are more reserved, may struggle to find an appropriate outlet for their voices. Also, it may require more time and energy to incorporate some types of employee engagement activities into the company culture.

To address these differences, we’ve compiled a variety of employee engagement activities and ideas. They are arranged in order of the least to greatest effort required, spanning from classic to novel approaches. With this approach, you can identify the optimal option for your team and improve employee engagement in your office.

Here are some employee engagement ideas to consider, ranging from innovative, technology-driven solutions to enjoyable and lighthearted activities.

 

 

Infographic: 30 ideas for internal communications and workforce engagement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Ditch Long-Form Content for Informational Bits

 

Divide newsletters and public relations content into more manageable, concise sections to increase employee engagement. By delivering information in manageable chunks, you aid employees in maintaining their awareness without experiencing a sense of overwhelm.

As a result, you’ll be able to increase participation in staff engagement initiatives, particularly those that take place within the office.

A short message on your internal messaging, or even a broadcast on social media can be more effective than a lengthy email. Also, sending weekly updates with important highlights could be a better alternative to a larger monthly newsletter.

The idea is to preserve the level of engagement among your employees without bombarding them with an excessive amount of information. This ensures that the information concerning your employee engagement ideas is not merely background noise, but rather engaging and pertinent.

 

 

2. Change Your Company Tone to Make It Conversational

 

When information is presented in an easy-to-understand manner, employees are more likely to engage with the content. Consequently, they will be more motivated to participate in the informed team engagement activities.

For example, instead of formal memos, use friendly, conversational messages for updates. This can make employees feel more comfortable and willing to participate in discussions and activities.

Encouraging more open and informal communication will especially benefit team engagement activities.

 

 

3. Ask One-Question Polls

 

A straightforward and efficient method of engaging staff is to conduct one-question polls. It’s easy to conduct these pools, and it’s also easy to analyze the results. This allows you to easily gather feedback and insights on various topics, which can inform your team engagement ideas on top of improving overall communication.

An easy way to gauge employee interest in future team-building activities is to conduct a weekly one-question poll. This not only engages them but also makes them feel involved in decision-making.

 

 

4. Target Instead of ‘Blast’

 

Improving engagement may be as simple as tailoring information to different groups of employees.

By ensuring that your communications are targeted and relevant, you can avoid overwhelming them with unnecessary information, including about employee engagement activities.

For example, instead of sending a company-wide email about new team-building activity, target the message to the teams or departments directly involved. Seemingly simple, this has the potential to boost engagement and involvement in the activity in question.

 

 

5. Establish a CEO Communication Channel to the Front Line

 

Another great tactic is to set up a line of contact between the chief executive officer and the front-line workers.

Employees like it when their CEO personally communicates information because it gives them the inside scoop and makes them feel appreciated.

This alone can be a powerful employee engagement idea that fosters a sense of transparency and inclusivity, making employees feel more connected to the company’s leadership and goals.

You can start simple, for example, by implementing a monthly video message from the CEO, addressing the company’s progress, upcoming projects, and answering employee questions.

 

 

6. Video Snippets from Comms (Phone Video Totally Works!)

 

Leveraging video snippets can make your employee engagement activities more dynamic.

Videos, as is well known, are a more effective means of communication than text alone. A great way to incorporate short videos to your employee engagement ideas is to upload them to promote updates, recognize successes, or highlight essential information.

For example, you might make a video series in which several departments talk about their recent achievements and future plans.

 

 

7. Tell ‘It’ as a Story Instead

 

One effective way to amp up employee engagement activities is to weave storytelling techniques into your overall communication plan.

It’s typically more effective to transmit essential lessons and ideals via stories, because they are easier to remember and relate to than dry facts.

By using this method, you may make your employee engagement ideas more engaging and meaningful to your team.

For example, instead of just stating that the organization has implemented a new policy, you should tell a story about its development and the good things that will come out of it. When employees know why the change is happening and how it will affect them, they are more inclined to embrace and participate in it.

 

 

8. Ask About the Little Things

 

An effective way to boost employee engagement is to show that you care about the small aspects of your employees’ day-to-day lives.

For example, you can use surveys or informal check-ins to regularly ask workers for ideas on how to improve their workday.

Incorporating this strategy to complement your employee engagement activities might show that you value their happiness and satisfaction. This can make a big difference in creating a positive and supportive work environment.

 

 

9. Important Surveys

 

In order to back up your employee engagement activities, it is vital to conduct short but meaningful employee surveys.

The results of these surveys can offer valuable insights into the areas for improvement and employee satisfaction. Utilize the feedback to generate customized employee engagement strategies that cater to the unique requirements and anxieties of your team.

You can, for example, implement a quarterly survey asking employees about their job satisfaction, workload, and suggestions for improvement.

10. Completely Random, Engaging Surveys

 

Random but captivating surveys can foster team building and bridge the gap between remote and in-office teams. Not to mention, by injecting some amusement into the work environment, you can boost morale and foster a sense of camaraderie.

For example, distribute a random survey to staff members and inquire as to their preferred forms of entertainment, interests, and ideal vacation spots. Use the findings to spark conversations and help employees discover shared interests.

 

 

11. Monday Motivation

 

A fun way to get employees engaged is to provide them with some motivation or comedy to start the week. A little Monday motivation may go a long way in lifting your team’s morale and getting them pumped up for the week ahead.

This easy-to-implement idea may help make the office a better place to work overall.

For example, you can send a motivational quote, a funny meme, or a cute cat video every Monday morning. A little something to brighten up the start of the week and make your staff happy is all it takes.

 

 

12. Wow Wednesdays

 

Keep the momentum going throughout the middle of the week with Wow Wednesdays, when you may brag about your company’s amazing stats or notable accomplishments.

This kind of team engagement activity helps keep employees motivated and make them feel good about what they’ve accomplished.

 

 

13. Testimonial Thursday

 

One way to get employees invested is to share success stories from clients or staff members.

Testimonial Thursday is an excellent opportunity to acknowledge the team’s hard work and foster a sense of pride and belonging, making it one of the most effective employee engagement activities.

 

 

14. Remind People How Their Role Helps the Vision

 

One certain way to keep employees engaged is to reinforce the big picture and show them how their job fits into it on a regular basis. This employee engagement idea reinforces the importance of everyone’s role and fosters a sense of belonging.

Bring attention to concrete ways in which workers’ efforts are progressing the business in team meetings or in internal messaging. Share stories of success and progress that directly relate to their contributions.

 

 

 

 

15. More Cheese? #FurFriendFridays

 

Starting the weekend off well with a playful and lighthearted event like #FurFriendFridays can do wonders for morale and community building.

Encourage staff to share pet images on a specific channel or in an email sent to all workers every Friday. Employees may conclude the week on a good note and connect on a personal level with this modest, engaging employee engagement idea.

 

 

16. Employee Intros – Especially for New Team Members

 

One way to boost engagement and team spirit is to introduce new staff and hold celebrations for the accomplishments of current team members.

Participation in this event serves to both acknowledge existing employees and welcome new recruits into the company’s culture.

Start with something small, like circulating a fun “Get to Know You” questionnaire with prompts like “favorite travel destination,” “dream superpower,” or “hidden talent.” One way to get your employees involved is to share the responses in an internal newsletter or at a team meeting.

 

 

17. Get Everyone In on Decision-Making

 

Involving employees in making decisions may increase engagement and make them feel like they have a stake in the company’s success. In addition, by asking your team members for their opinions, you may find out something you didn’t know before.

Try to hold regular brainstorming sessions, or put up a suggestion box so workers may leave their thoughts on how to enhance the workplace, corporate regulations, or processes. Give credit where it is due and implement the suggested ideas when they are feasible.

 

 

18. Snacks!

 

Providing meals and snacks is another easy yet effective approach to boost staff engagement. By offering refreshments, you may encourage team members to relax and get to know one another, which in turn can lead to a more pleasant and cooperative workplace.

A weekly or monthly snack break is a great way to get staff moving and mingling. A fun way to spice up the employee engagement activity is to have themed snack days, like ice cream afternoons or bagel mornings.

 

 

19. Try “Truth or Lie” One-Question Polls

 

Incorporating entertaining and imaginative games, such as “Truth or Lie” polls can be very effective in enhancing staff involvement. These quick and entertaining activities can break the monotony of the workday and encourage interaction among team members.

For example, you can start a weekly “Truth or Lie” poll, where employees must determine whether a certain statement about a coworker is true or false. This will allow the staff to have a good time and get to know one other better.

 

 

20. Start Posting Employee Shout Outs

 

Openly acknowledging and rewarding staff for their efforts and successes is another proven method to boost morale and engagement. Regularly sharing employee shout outs cultivates a culture of appreciation and recognition in your company while highlighting the valuable contributions of employees.

Establish a dedicated channel (or bulletin board) where employees may post positive reinforcement. Then, encourage managers and colleagues to publicly acknowledge and celebrate each other’s accomplishments.

 

 

21. Build Suspense for Big Announcements

 

Developing a sense of anticipation for significant announcements can captivate employees and maintain their enthusiasm about upcoming changes or news.

For example, use countdowns and subtle clues to hint at upcoming announcements. That way, employees will be even more enthralled and eager to hear the news.

 

 

22. Make It Easy for Employees to Share Tips and Tricks

 

One way to foster a cooperative and supportive work atmosphere is to encourage employees to share their own knowledge and strategies. This employee engagement activity allows workers to help each other out, fostering team engagement.

Establish a platform or channel where employees can post their productivity tips, office hacks, or advice on achieving work-life balance. Reward contributions to encourage participation.

 

 

23. Use Your Employees as Messengers

 

Utilizing peer-to-peer communication may increase staff engagement and humanize corporate communications. When employees hear it from their coworkers, rather than from upper management, they are more likely to listen and learn.

For example, assign staff to use informal meetings or internal communication channels to share updates about new initiatives or projects with their team.

 

 

24. Use Local Managers as Messengers

 

A way to ensure relevant and more individualized information is to have local managers convey vital information.

Instruct managers on how to use team meetings to convey news about the business, new policies, and the status of ongoing projects. Provide them with the resources they need to respond to inquiries and clarify points so that the message is clear and agreed upon.

 

 

25. Start Communicating at Onboarding

 

To provide a pleasant and engaging experience for employees, effective communication should begin during onboarding. By introducing new hires to your company’s engagement activities, communication style, and culture early, you can facilitate their smooth incorporation into the organization.

An all-inclusive onboarding program including employee engagement activities, communication channel overviews, and introductions to important team members is essential.

 

 

26. Hold an Online Q&A

 

By hosting online Q&A sessions, management can give employees a voice while also allowing them to get answers straight from the top. For hybrid or remote teams in particular, transparency may go a long way in building trust and sparking engagement.

Schedule regular online Q&A sessions where employees can ask questions live or submit them in advance. To ensure that all workers, irrespective of their location, may readily participate, use technology such as video conferencing solutions.

 

 

27. Establish Communication Channels for Common Interests, Such as Food, Fitness, or Pets

 

Establishing communication channels based on common interests may foster a sense of community and encourage active participation from staff members. An inclusive and connected workplace may be created via these channels, allowing employees to engage around mutual interests and passions.

Encourage employees to share photos, tips, and experiences on these channels. These informal interactions can help build relationships and improve team cohesion.

 

 

28. Gamify KPIs and Create Team Challenges

 

Introducing gamification into key performance indicators (KPIs) and team challenges can bring a sense of excitement and healthy competition to the workplace, ultimately boosting engagement and productivity.

For example, you can establish a points system that employees may redeem for prizes when they fulfill key performance indicators or take part in team challenges. Make use of leaderboards to keep tabs on progress and reward exceptional work. Motivate your top performers with rewards like gift cards, more vacation time, or group trips.

 

 

29. Build a Mentorship Program

 

Implementing a mentorship program can significantly enhance employee engagement by providing guidance, support, and development opportunities.

A strong mentorship program can do wonders for your company’s culture, from fostering strong connections to increasing retention rates via knowledge exchange.

Pair experienced employees with new hires or less experienced team members to provide ongoing support and career development.

 

 

30. Introduce a Customized Mobile App for Staff Members (and Eliminate Email)

 

A simple way to keep workers engaged and informed is to build a branded employee mobile app that streamlines engagement activities and communication. The app can serve as a central hub for all corporate news, events, and resources, avoiding the need for email.

Create a custom mobile app that includes features such as push notifications for important announcements, a company newsfeed, and access to employee directories and resources. Make sure the app is easy to use and is updated often.

 

Conclusion

Engagement ideas for employees don’t need to be extravagant or expensive. iTacit empowers you to facilitate better employee engagement from one easy-to-use employee engagement platform. Learn more about our platform for an engaged workforce and more new ideas for employee engagement today.