How to ensure employee engagement in the changing workplace

It is crucial for employers to foster an environment where employees feel engaged, even as the workplace might look different with remote and hybrid options. Establishing a culture where workers are engaged can help with retention and recruiting, while also providing employees with motivation for their work.

In a remote or hybrid workplace, having a daily conversation can help employees feel connected, both within their teams and the larger organization. 

"We have a daily huddle, even with our remote employees," Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Lawn Love told EBN's Lee Hafner. "Knowing where everyone is in terms of project progress, and knowing where assistance is needed, helps facilitate teamwork and encouragement. Daily huddles often provide the space for employees who primarily work independently to ask for help or simply have a bit of social interaction. I have also found that these kinds of meetings are a great way to boost morale and offer employee recognition, which are both incredibly important for encouraging connectivity."

Holding gatherings or providing opportunities for teamwork across groups can help employees connect with each other, leading to brainstorming and the opportunity for more collaboration. 

"One of the most impactful initiatives that fostered deep connection within our team was the introduction of a cross-functional project collaboration week," Christopher Pappas, founder of eLearning Industry told Hafner. "During this dedicated period, employees from different departments were randomly grouped together to work on innovative projects unrelated to their daily roles. This initiative was not only an ongoing effort but became a highly anticipated event twice a year."

"Personally, this experience broadened my perspective on our team's capabilities and strengths," Pappas added. "Working closely with colleagues I rarely interacted with on a daily basis allowed me to appreciate diverse skill sets and problem-solving approaches. Professionally, it encouraged cross-departmental knowledge sharing and enhanced our ability to tackle complex challenges collaboratively. Inspired by its success, we've integrated similar cross-functional project weeks into our annual calendar, ensuring continuous team bonding and fostering a culture of creativity and mutual respect."

Read more: Ensuring employees love what they do 

At The Honey Pot, a feminine care company, learning, gaining new perspectives, being recognized for work and forming bonds with coworkers are all part of the growth, connection and worth employees need to feel comfortable and do their best — something especially important to the company due to the often sensitive topics addressed in the feminine care market.

"We have to create a space of vulnerability — how do you get the people in your organization who are that first touch to open up, whether it's about vaginal health, things they experience, or even their mental health, and things that they need from the organization to deliver back to them," Giovanna Alfieri, The Honey Pot's vice president of marketing and e-commerce, told Hafner. "The idea that you can make something approachable and accessible has been really formative in shaping the business."

To make sure The Honey Pot employees always feel empowered to put their well-being first, leadership sets a constant example, says Alfieri. From disconnecting while on vacation to admitting when it's been a rough day to modeled flexibility for working parents, employees are able to set boundaries and advocate for themselves because they see their leaders do the same, she says. 

Read more: Free lunches, retreats and mentorship: 5 connection strategies that work 

Read more about how to ensure employees are engaged in the workplace.