One of the major challenges organizations face today is the prevention of workplace burnout. Workplace demands on employees are increasing rapidly and the ramification of employee burnout is a serious decrease in organizational productivity. One of the keys to preventing burnout is increasing employee engagement.
Employee engagement is defined as “the extent to which employees feel passionate about their jobs, are committed to the organization, and put discretionary effort into their work. Engaging your workforce is not the same as employee satisfaction.”
Workforce Management is all about fostering and developing your workforce’s relationship with the organization's goals and purpose.
“According to Gallup, only 13 percent of all employees worldwide today are engaged in their jobs — an alarming statistic, given the importance of the workforce in fueling growth and meeting other key enterprise goals. Employees are typically an organization’s most vital (and expensive) asset, and when they are disengaged and/or disenfranchised, the ripple effects across the business can impact your profitability and branding.”
Human Capital Management technologies are essential in creating a strategy for increasing and maintaining employee engagement. Combining the best of both worlds, HCM tech can help foster an environment that allows employees to feel both valued and inspired. The process of building a compelling environment for all employee demographics involves using the data gained from WFM software to “operationalize” employee engagement. Each employee has his/her own unique set of needs and expectations. Kronos Workforce Central allows organizations to begin to transform their workforce's unique needs into actionable strategies to increase overall employee engagement.
There are actionable steps that can be taken to increase employee engagement through the use of Kronos software:
WFM software can help automate menial tasks, eliminating the frustration and wasted time on processes that need not be manual. For example, an employee can spend hours working on a menial task because of outdated manuals or a lack of clear processes. Automating simple tasks allows an employee to focus on adding value to the organization, which in turn gives them the opportunity to be recognized and encouraged.
It is crucial for employees to understand corporate policies and expectations. One of the biggest mistakes that can happen within an organization is the miscommunication of expectations. Trying to deploy corporate policies manually can increase the number of miscommunicated expectations. Negative emotions are created when employees witness one department being treated differently than other departments. For example, if employees sense favoritism from managers because certain people receive better shifts or are allowed to leave early/receive more flexible hours, conflicts can arise. Inconsistencies drain morale. Human Capital Management software allows organizations to automate rules across the organization so that fair policies are created and enforced, nurturing a healthy work environment.
One of the most important elements of a healthy work environment is a well-managed work-life balance. Employees need to know that family and commitments outside of work are valued by their employers. HCM software can provide data that allows managers to analyze if there truly is a healthy work-life balance among employees. Beyond analytics, fostering a workplace culture of open communication will empower employees to communicate their needs more clearly. Once your employees feel comfortable communicating their needs, scheduling and policy-enforcement will become much more simple.
According to Absenteeism: The Bottom-Line Killer, a publication of workforce solution company Circadian, unscheduled absenteeism costs roughly $3,600 per year for each hourly worker and $2,650 each year for salaried employees. Manual scheduling processes can leave gaps in employee coverage, leaving workers frustrated by those who are absent and a frequent need to cover for other employees. Kronos WFC provides automated technology-based processes to help managers create schedules that reduce unplanned absences and jump-start employee engagement initiatives. Implementing a generous leave policy can give employees the motivation and flexibility they need to be more content with their position, in turn creating a productive and engaging work environment.