The significance of employee engagement and wellbeing

Prioritising continuous employee learning and development could potentially be the key to a happier, healthier, and more productive workplace.

Life at work can be extremely hectic and stressful at times, especially nowadays when aspects such as competition and customer demand are becoming more and more challenging to keep up with. As a direct result, it is vital for companies to ensure that their employees’ mental wellbeing is at the best state it could be, particularly when at work. Fortunately, this quality is now being prioritised and given the focus that it requires, which will not only fight against the stigma of mental problems, but also provide the necessary care for those who might be experiencing them.

Professional search engine findcourses.com published their Learning and Development (L&D) report which revealed that the concept of L&D plays a crucial role when it comes to the overall relationship between employee wellbeing and engagement. Not only does it lead to greater successes and ROI, but also to higher retention rates and satisfaction levels amongst employees.

Below is an overview of several L&D strategies that could be implemented in any workplace, and how they can increase employee wellness and engagement. Combined with a strong learning culture and a professional approach, the application of L&D strategies in the workplace could potentially be the missing link that you might have been looking for, which could lead to happier, healthier, and more productive employees.

The impact of learning & development on employee wellbeing

It is quite apparent that happy and satisfied employees will indubitably be much more productive and motivated when at work, which in turn leads to a higher overall production rate. For precisely that reason, managers have nowadays become more aware of their employees’ wellbeing, ensuring that it is stable and as best it can be.

Data presented in the report shows that professional L&D programs lead to long-term profitability, lower turnover rates and absenteeism, and significantly increase innovation and productivity, which is precisely why they should be encouraged and carefully put into operation. Companies will reap these benefits through the strengthening of their overall brand image, acquisition practices, as well as worker retention levels.

If employees ever demonstrate a lack of empathy, high levels of stress, or even indifference towards their tasks and their colleagues, then it is most probably the result of low-levels of motivation in the workplace. In the long-run, this occurrence can have adverse (and often irreversible) effects on both the employees as well as the company, which is why if this is the case, then it would be wise to address it at the earliest opportunity and see what constituents are actually causing it. Scheduling regular meetings and team building events is a great way to get to know everyone better and look out for such red flags, which would in turn allow managers to handle them right away and avoid any negative implications.

The report outlines numerous ways in which employee wellbeing can be effectively heightened and maintained, ultimately leading to long-term improvements and satisfaction across the workplace environment. Here are some that were identified:

1.Don’t underestimate soft skills

Giving employees the opportunity to undergo training programs will allow them to develop themselves and feel more skilled in their line of work. One of the most common and useful training programs that most companies generally offer is that relating to soft skills; this touches upon learning tools that can help strengthen aspects such as communication and presentation skills, which in turn leads to more positive, self-confident, and skilled employees.

As a matter of fact, data supporting this claim shows that companies with highly engaged employees are 1.5x more likely to prioritize soft skills development, which could potentially bring about various benefits to all parties involved.

2.Face-to-Face training

A 2014 psychological study concerning in-house training outlined that by providing employees with the necessary means to help improve their knowledge and skills drastically enhances self-esteem and motivation, especially if carried out extensively and in a face-to-face manner. In line with the findings brought out from this study, findcourses.com’s L&D Report continues to emphasise this claim, by showing that “physical training delivery is much more efficient when it comes to employee engagement” (on average, it was also found that companies whose staff feel highly engaged were 94% more likely to be offering those staff members regular classroom training).

3.Prioritise diversity

It goes without saying that diversity and inclusion are two important aspects which should always be given importance, especially at this day and age. A lack of diversity in the workplace will not only result in internal behavioural problems and creation of barriers, but may also harm the business brand itself by diminishing its reputation and core values. As a matter of fact, companies that reported growth in 2018 were seen to be 72% more likely to have high diversity in their organization, as when compared to those lacking it.

With that being said, although diversity is a pretty good value to impose into the company’s culture, prioritising it should not only be done to safeguard the company’s image and profits, but also because it is a sign of  proper modern management that is rightly inclusive and tolerant of everyone, no matter who they are or where they come from. Failure to embrace it will in turn lead to unhealthy and toxic biases which can be harmful to employees and affect their overall engagement, which is why it is so important to undertake the appropriate training highlighted in the report.

By creating a strong learning culture in the workplace and strengthening it with effective L&D strategies, employee wellbeing and engagement can and will be drastically improved in the long-run. Consequently, this will also lead to better retention and satisfaction levels amongst employees, which will subsequently also result in improved performances and productivity levels for the overall organization.