Employers face the complex tasks on finding ways to improve job
engagement, work performance and job satisfaction. A global economy
of discriminating employees has placed demands on employers never
before seen. Employers face the challenges of maintaining productivity,
job performance as well as keeping their workforce engaged and
satisfied with their jobs.
Environmental pressures, increased regulations, rising costs, and the
needs of the workforce have placed management in a complicated and
tenuous situation. The answer lies with creating a work environment
that maintains employee job satisfaction as well as motivates people toward exceptional
performance.
A survey conducted by the Conference Board showed only 45 percent of Americans are engaged
with their jobs. This is the lowest job engagement level ever recorded by the Conference Board in
more than 22 years of research.
Those that fail to improve job satisfaction are at risk of losing their top talented people to the
competition. Supervisors and managers who maximize the potential, creative abilities, and talents of
the entire workforce have a greater competitive advantage than those who don’t. Employees that are
engaged in their work have a higher level of job satisfaction and motivation. Engaged and motivated
workers provide the health insurance businesses desperately needed in these chaotic times.
Here are a few job engagement techniques that can boost job performance.
Team Assist Boards: Best Buy Company, Inc. has boards, which are located in multiple areas
within a department. Peers or managers recognize the excellence of others by writing a quick
message of thanks, and then post it on the board.
Tool for New Employees: Northeastern University has many divisions, each containing several
departments. The division decided to develop a tool to assist the new employees. It is an
orientation/training manual, and the entire company helps direct them where to go, who to speak to,
and what they need to begin working on.
Staff Excellence Award: Northeastern University has developed a staff excellence awards. These
are done monthly and the winners are nominated by those in their department. They receive a gift
certificate and plaque.
Perfect Attendance Recognition: Graybar has weekly or monthly drawings for perfect
attendance. This is for those who have had no tardiness, etc. for the previous weeks. They give one
gift certificate per week.
On the Spot Award: NexCom uses the “On the Spot Award.” Any supervisor who finds an
employee doing the right thing gives it. They give that employee a gift certificate, minimum $25,
maximum $100.
Breakfast Burrito Reward: Sandia National Labs has the Breakfast Burrito reward. When a team or
individual meets a certain performance goal, they get a Breakfast Burrito party. Status towards
achievement is tracked on a poster… red chilies indicate falling behind schedule, and green chilies