WHEN EMPLOYEES FEEL THEIR ORGANIZATION CARES ABOUT THEM AS INDIVIDUALS, THEY ARE:

10x MORE LIKELY to recommend their company to others

4x LESS LIKELY to suffer from stress and burnout

2x AS LIKELY to be engaged at work

We found the ideas of limeade on how to improve employee engagement in a crisis to be truly interesting. We are sharing below 12 ways that can help companies and their employees stay engaged and productive during a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.

When managers show care, employees are more engaged, more productive and less likely to burn out.

During times of crisis, however, managers might not be equipped or adequately trained to provide relevant and continued support. As we know, employee-manager relationships are different now and are disrupted with the pandemic, and workforces are relying on new forms of communication. How can leaders encourage their employees to stay fully engaged — even as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts our lives?

HOW TO IMPROVE EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT IN A CRISIS

Consider the Whole Employee

• Realize that what happens in one part of an employee’s life impacts all others. This is especially true during the COVID-19 crisis. Family, hobbies and stressors are overlapping in unexpected ways. To fully support employees, it’s key for managers to consider life outside of work. 
• Get to know your employees on a deeper level. What aspirations do they have? What are their professional and personal goals? Showing this level of care during crisis builds trusting relationships that last.
• Start meetings by recognizing the employee for her work. Then ask, “What barriers are you facing at work or outside of work, and how can I support you?” 

Communicate & Provide Feedback

• When employees feel their employer cares about their well-being, they’re 38% more engaged. Send frequent messages of support and encouragement to employees (e.g., thank-you cards or recognition during team meetings). If your workforce is remote or virtual, use a communications app or messaging platform to show your appreciation.
• Make feedback a priority. According to an Interact/Harris Poll, 37% of managers are uncomfortable giving feedback that may be taken negatively. Zenger Folkman found that 72% of employees said a leader can be most influential by giving corrective feedback and advice when needed.
• Give employees a voice. Whether it’s input on a recent project or feedback from a company meeting, actively ask for input to ensure that all employees have a chance to contribute. In video calls, where it’s especially easy for ideas to get lost in the fray, proactively ask for input from new contributors.

Encourage Growth & Development

• Invest in employees for the long-term. Whether it’s weekly performance check-ins, career development or cross-functional training, offer side projects and opportunities rooted in education and growth.
• Empower employees to take risks and have the freedom to fail. Managers who support employee learning and growth show they care. 

Lead by Example

• Executives and managers are role models for crisis leadership and well-being improvement. Lead by example to foster a culture of support. Check out best practices from Google on engaging employees.  
• Remember that you matter too. Schedule time to take care of yourself and share your well-being goals and priorities with your employees — take daily stress breaks, step away from your desk or go for a 10-minute walk.

Access Tools & Resources

• Get the tools you need to promote employee engagement and morale. A structured well-being program can provide personalized activities that adapt to the needs of each employee. 
• Educate other managers on how they can show crisis leadership through employee engagement and well-being — even if it’s just posting talking points on your company intranet so they know how to approach well-being topics during one-on-one meetings.

When leaders develop caring relationships with their teams, employees bring their whole selves to work and are more engaged. As COVID-19 disrupts the “normal” employee experience, now is the ideal time to equip managers with the tools they need to respond and improve employee engagement in a crisis.

Stay safe and healthy. CARROTS team is here for you.