Employee voice and employee engagement can’t exist without each other. In fact, highly engaged employees are three times more likely to say they feel heard at their workplace (92%) compared to their disengaged colleagues (30%).
But what’s the secret to unlocking meaningful workplace conversations? Read on to learn how to improve employee voice in your workplace that leads to real impact. We’ll be covering:
From traditional avenues like face-to-face meetings and suggestion boxes, to digital chat tools and anonymous feedback systems – it’s important for you to provide a range of communication channels so your people feel comfortable and empowered to have their voices heard. Not all people communicate in the same way – many people find it difficult to open up completely in conversation (and that’s okay!). By offering multiple ways for your teams to express themselves, you will encourage a culture of openness, trust and collaboration from everyone.
Building a culture of positive employee voice starts with recognising the importance of frequent feedback and regular check-ins. These tools not only strengthen workplace relationships because dialogue is ongoing – they also show your employees you care about their feedback
By providing timely feedback – both positive and constructive – you will demonstrate to your team a commitment to growth and improvement. Regular check-ins (whether they be one-to-one or group discussions) are also an easy way for them to feel heard and supported; by creating opportunities to address concerns, celebrate achievements and align on shared goals.
Pulse surveys provide a safe and anonymous way for employees to share their thoughts, ideas and concerns on a regular basis. By conducting surveys you demonstrate commitment to understanding the needs and perspectives of your team. It shows that all voices matter and are valued – and will be acted upon. Surveys not only give employees a chance to be heard, but are an excellent way to turn your team’s voice into valuable data and actionable insights. You’ll identify trends and be able to make informed decisions to improve the work environment for the better.
For more on how surveys can help you create a culture of open communication and collaboration read more about the benefits of Stribe pulse surveys.
When your employees are heard, they feel a greater sense of belonging. And in a truly inclusive workplace, empowering employee voice goes beyond simply listening to feedback – it involves actively involving your teams in decision-making that contributes to the company’s big picture.
When employees have a seat at the table and their voices are genuinely heard, it creates a powerful sense of ownership – employees feel that their input matters and their ideas can shape organisational direction. This is when employees become more invested and motivated to do their best. The employee decision-making approach also fosters a culture of innovation and mutual respect – you will tap into the collective wisdom of diverse thoughts of your workforce which is something entirely unique to your business and the edge you have over others.
Once again, a really great way to get your people involved in decision-making could include pulse surveys which will help you get a well-rounded view of your team’s feelings and feedback about office ideas and initiatives.
In the journey towards enhancing employee voice and creating a culture of candidness, transparent leadership plays a pivotal role – because honest communication between leaders and employees is the foundation for building trust.
Leaders must demonstrate their willingness to listen, understand and act upon insights shared by their teams. You can do this a number of ways, but these are great starting points:
It’s about creating a safe space where employees feel comfortable to share their thoughts to leaders confidently – knowing they will be respected and considered. It’s also about keeping everyone in the loop – and that involves being candid about challenges and hurdles too.
Trust is what creates shared purpose and collective ownership, and when leaders set the precedent by openly communicating, seeking feedback and asking for help it reinforces your teams to do the same.
To truly strengthen employee voice and bolster engagement, it’s so important to show meaningful recognition and celebrate all wins, big and small. Here at Stribe we are enormous advocates for praising each other and doing it often! (Check out our employee recognition shout-out feature).
And while it’s not news to anyone that when employees feel appreciated for their contributions they are more likely to feel motivated and empowered – it’s important to understand that doing it meaningfully (rather than to tick a box) – is what will make a real difference. This can be a simple word of gratitude, to public acknowledgements and career rewards. But what makes recognition really beautiful is that it not only boosts morale, it also encourages a positive feedback loop where individuals are inspired to continuing sharing their ideas and insights – knowing they will be truly appreciated and valued.
Stribe’s software gives your employees the confidence to share how they really feel. And, our people experts are always on hand to help you ask the right questions, communicate your surveys and maximise your response rate.
How to maximise your employee engagement surveys. Avoid these common staff survey mistakes for better insights and response rates.
Read MoreExplore the top employee survey types, their purpose, and benefits. Learn how to choose the right survey for your organisation’s needs.
Read MoreActionable strategies on how to respond to negative employee feedback. Transform moments of critique into catalysts for change.
Read More
