Transform Your Business: How HR Training Enhances Employee Engagement

Investing in employee development through training fosters loyalty and reduces turnover. A recent LinkedIn study (June 2024) found that 94% of employees are more likely to stay at a company offering training opportunities. 

I’m sure you’ve experienced great customer service in the past, however you’re more likely to have experienced bad customer service, which can really portray an organisation in a negative light and lose it custom as a result. Studies show that people are much more likely to continue to buy from companies that have delivered exceptional customer service repeatedly, and stepped up to the mark when there has been a problem.

It has been proven that highly engaged teams drive exceptional service and long-term organisational success, and that companies which invest in employee development through training not only foster engagement, but also increase customer loyalty, and encourage future leadership. However, according to Gallup's 2023 engagement survey, only 23% of UK employees feel actively engaged at work. 

But is HR responsible for training? Yes, it is! Here’s how you can increase employee engagement through training and development.

What influences employee engagement?

Employee engagement is an employee's passion, motivation, and investment in their work. Unlike job satisfaction, which focuses on task performance, engagement involves a deeper emotional connection to the organisation. It's about creating optimal conditions for employees to fully commit to company goals, enhancing their wellbeing in the process.

There are several factors which employee engagement can be based on:

• Value and purpose

• Supportive and inclusive company culture

• Personal growth and development

• Recognition and incentives

A recent trend which has emerged in the workplace is that the millennial office/work culture is far more interested in seeking out meaningful relationships with their work, compared to their predecessors. Traditionally, Gen Xers have prioritised career advancement through structured roles, training, and development. In contrast, Gen Y tends to seek roles that align more closely with personal values and fulfilment.

Research has indicated that if employers want to retain staff, especially those who are newer to the workforce, they must tap into the employee’s emotional attachment to the work, providing a meaningful work experience.

Why Staff Training is Important

Effective staff training right from the start is essential when onboarding new candidates. Our recent blog on The Long-Term Benefits of Proper Induction Training explains the benefits of induction training, however ongoing training and development of staff members is just as important, if not more so, to help people continue to thrive.

As employee turnover rates increase, development opportunities have become paramount for retaining talent. Employees who feel neglected within a company may perceive themselves as expendable, therefore it is crucial to have employees who can envision a designated career path and personal development opportunities as part of their role in the business. They are more engaged and less likely to seek alternative employment as a consequence. 

Company owners and leaders should view effective training as an investment in the future. By equipping staff with the necessary skills and knowledge, organisations can stay competitive, adapt to industry changes, achieve their business objectives, and boost performance.

How to Increase Employee Engagement

With only 23% of employees feeling engaged at work (Gallup 2023 survey), it’s time to take action and drive this number skywards, after all an engaged workforce is a better workforce!

Working with HR, implement an Employee Engagement plan (based on the following factors) which clearly sets out the strategic actions and resulting benefits, and aim to roll this out companywide.

• Listen to Employees

Perhaps the most important factor of all is communication. Not only is it crucial for a company to communicate what it needs from its staff, but it is essential that employees get to have their feedback heard too. Adopting an ‘open door’ policy (where managers actively encourage ides and thoughts from staff) not only ensures that staff have a voice, it also helps them feel included and valued.

• Keep Staff Informed

Whilst the majority of innovative business decisions are made at the top, keeping major company developments from employees can be detrimental towards their view of the organisation and, ultimately, their performance within in. After all, no-one likes to be kept in the dark!

Company newsletters, briefings, regular meetings and informal ‘catch up’ sessions are a great way to get company goings-on out to the masses, and also encourage feedback and ideas from your employees.

• Nurture Company Culture

Company culture is essentially the personality of your organisation. It's a shared set of beliefs, values, and behaviours that shape how people interact and work together. This culture is a combination of both written policies and unwritten rules, and it's ultimately defined by the actions and attitudes of every employee.

Often, a great company culture comes from listening to your staff and understanding their needs, and can incorporate anything from working environment to regular breaks and ‘time out’ sessions.

Obviously, remote and hybrid working has experienced a boom since the Covid-19 pandemic, and this has since been built-in to many organisations’ culture as a standard option now. This is just one example of how moving with the times and addressing employee’s needs can result in increased engagement and productivity.

• Training and Development Opportunities

Most of us like to better ourselves, and with lots of new recruits joining organisations at the very bottom, it is essential that they have a platform in order to work their way up within a company.

If an employee is struggling, or their performance is not where it needs to be, this needs to be addressed, and sooner rather than later.

Talk to your staff and find out what would help them. Are they overwhelmed in their role? Are their any tools you can equip them with to help? Would further training in their area of specialism help?

With so many training courses widely available, both in person and online, investing in your employee’s ongoing development is easier than it has ever been before. Staff can even be actively involved by finding a course themselves that they feel would and benefit them and their role within the firm.

New recruits will often need a set training period in order to get them up to scratch for their role. Booking several new starters on a course together may help a new team bond effectively. Alternatively, many learning programmes now offer on-site training and will visit your premises to educate en masse.

Providing your employees with a career ladder to work towards and helping them understand that there are career progression opportunities available at your company can help your team members ‘see’ a strong and positive job future ahead.

• Show Your Appreciation

Nothing really makes a team feel valued like recognition and reward, and this is something which all organisations should address and implement.

Staff perks and benefit schemes are a great way to engage staff and range from offering discounted gym and leisure memberships, to offering healthcare and retail discounts, as well as physical items such as reward boxes too.

Some companies prefer to treat staff to a day out, or a meal, in order to show gratitude, whilst others reward long service or a job well done in others ways.

Just remember – a thank you, however you choose to express it, goes a long way!

Conclusion

Engaged employees are the backbone of successful organisations. Highly committed teams deliver exceptional service, boosting customer loyalty and driving repeat business. By investing in employee development through training, companies can not only enhance job satisfaction and retention but also cultivate future leaders. Ultimately, a strong focus on employee engagement is essential for long-term organisational success.