How Much Will Disengaged Employees Cost?
Are you engaged in the work you do?
There are many studies that identify that over 50% of workers are not. This a big concern if you are a manager or executive because as the economy improves will the talent you’ve retained through the downturn, up and leave because they’re really only staying with you for the pay check.
A Gallup study estimates employee disengagement results in over $300 billion in lost productivity and only 30% of employees are actively engaged in their work.
There are many reasons not the least of which is that 83% of managers hire people they “like” rather than what the job requires so many people are in the wrong jobs.
People who are engaged generate:
• Increased productivity
• Improved profits
• Innovative ideas
• Enhanced customer relationships
• Improved safety
• Higher employee retention
So what can you do about this? I recently saw a great list of ideas. Maybe some of these will ring bells with you.
1. Do you have an “entrepreneurial” environment?
2. Do you provide growth opportunities?
3. Is your management accessible?
4. Are you encouraging innovation?
5. Is there an opportunity for community service?
6. Is your organization socially conscious?
7. Are you offering flexibility options?
8. Is there (small) timely recognition?
9. Do you offer variety in experiences?
10. Do you encourage empowerment?
No organization will likely be great all these things but you need to be good at a least a few if you want to keep your best and brightest employees.
If you are in management, have you let the business pressures drive you down as well? Are you thinking creatively about engaging your people?
A great read to help you understand more about these issues is Terri Kabachnick’s book .. “I Quit…But Forgot to Tell You.” You can find it at Amazon here.
The good news is that there are assessments and tools that help any organization with these problems. Call us if you’d like to hear more about them. (877) 523-0212 Ext. 110
Three Things to Do Next
1. Comment: What are you doing to increase engagement in your organization?
2. Share: If you liked this post share it on your Facebook, Twitter, blog, or site.
3. Find your passion: If you are feeling a bit disengaged, reevaluate if what you are doing is really the path you would enjoy the most. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve talked to that were so happy when they stopped going through the motions and focused on what they truly love.
image courtesy of bredgur
