A1F 07 HRM Home Assignment
A1F 07 HRM Home Assignment
Class – A1F
Roll No. – 07
Date – 24/01/2024
Organizational Culture
Communication
IX. Conclusion
X. References
Introduction
Employee engagement and motivation are two related but distinct concepts that are critical to
creating a positive and productive workplace culture.
Employee motivation
Employee motivation is defined as the inner drive, enthusiasm, and energy that employees
bring to their jobs. It is the driving force that motivates people to take action in order to
achieve their goals and perform well at work.
Extrinsic and intrinsic motivation are both possible. External factors such as pay, bonuses,
promotions, and recognition provide extrinsic motivation.
Intrinsic motivation refers to an individual’s drive and energy that comes from within rather
than from external rewards or incentives. It is the natural desire to engage in an activity for the
sake of engaging in it because it is interesting, enjoyable, or personally satisfying. Internal
factors such as personal values, interests, and passions drive intrinsic motivation.
Employee motivation and productivity increase when there is high employee engagement.
Employee engagement helps intrinsically motivated employees to perform better.
Employee engagement
Employee engagement is an approach that results in giving an appropriate condition to all the
employees in a workplace. It is more of a fundamental concept to understand the qualitative
and quantitative relationship between employees and their workplace.
Ultimately though, the fundamentals of employee engagement are the same and revolve
around these pillars:
Maslow’s model
Most people in business will have heard of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. It’s as inevitable as
the tea break on most business courses and has had a profound influence on the management
of employees.
So just to recap. Abraham Maslow introduced his hierarchy of needs in a 1943 paper called
“A Theory of Human Motivation.” Maslow’s motivational theory in psychology comprises a
five-tier model of human needs.
The theory posits that motivation is the result of attempting to fulfil these five basic needs,
which are: physical, safety, social, esteem, and self-actualisation (fulfilment). The more these
needs are fulfilled, the more motivated an employee becomes.
The theory determines that without satisfying these needs, a person can’t be fully engaged or
happy in their role. On a basic level, employees need job security and a living wage, and they
need to be and feel safe in their jobs. Employees also need to feel a sense of camaraderie – to
feel a part of something (a sense of belonging), and to feel appreciated. Employees also need
to grow, to progress, to be creative and to be able to run with ideas.
None of the needs are more important than others below them in the hierarchy. Employees
must be satisfied on all levels to be motivated to perform at their best.
The Kahn Model
Organisational psychologist, William Kahn, was one of the first researchers to identify the
concept of employee engagement. In his work he identified three principle dimensions of
employee engagement – physical, cognitive and emotional.
Kahn’s Psychological Conditions of Personal Engagement and Disengagement at Work
looked at two sets of workers – summer camp counsellors and members of an architecture
firm. The study explored the conditions at work in which people engage or disengage.
Kahn found that there were three psychological conditions that enable engagement:
Kahn illustrated the cost of disengagement – employees doing just enough to remain
employed but offering none of their cognitive or emotional energy to the job. According to
Khan’s theory, more effort is only given by employees when they feel safe to be their real
selves in their job.
We’re going to focus here on the other, less tangible benefits employees seek that give their
day-to-day activities meaning and help them connect the dots between the work they do and
the success of the organization.
Strong Leadership
Leadership is the cornerstone of engagement because of the central role leaders play in
shaping organizational culture, which, in turn, shapes employee experience.
A 25-year study by Gallup revealed that the duration of an employee’s tenure is primarily
determined by the relationship they have with their direct manager. About 50-70% of an
employee’s perception of their work environment is linked to the actions and behaviors of
management.
We know disengaged employees can negatively impact the overall success of an organization
and adversely affect the engagement of other employees, but disengaged leaders can also do
much harm to an organization’s culture and overall success.
To see a real boost in employee engagement, leaders should also be engaged in leading their
teams and authentically demonstrating their dedication to the organization’s core values
through real, impactful actions and behaviors.
Demonstrating care for employees and helping them feel that the work they are doing is
essential for the success of the organization will create a positive employee experience that
boosts engagement.
Businesses with strong, positive cultures have highly engaged and loyal employees who
deliver excellent work and take superior care of customers. Organizations with a
dysfunctional culture often drive away employees and customers.
Making employees feel valued is key to keeping them engaged. When employees don’t feel
valued by upper management, they will not be as loyal to an organization that views them as
expendable and easy to replace, and they will leave.
A caring organizational culture that values people over profits will provide employees with
the flexibility they need to thrive and a work-life balance that is good for their overall well-
being.
Meaningful Work
Meaningful work is essential for employee engagement because it gives employees a sense of
purpose, and they will feel passionate about the work they do and perform their jobs with
greater enthusiasm.
When employees feel a shared sense of purpose with their co-workers and a strong
commitment to an organization’s mission, vision, and values, it doesn’t just improve
engagement. It improves morale, performance, trust, and overall job satisfaction.
It’s also a major driver of retention, and it plays an increasingly important role in recruitment
efforts.
According to a recent study, almost 70% of employees say they would not work for an
organization without a strong purpose, 60% would take a pay cut to work at a purpose-driven
company, and 90% of employees who work at organizations with a strong sense of purpose
say they’re more inspired, motivated, and loyal.
Having a sense of purpose and finding meaning in their work can help employees look beyond
their daily job duties and see how their work impacts the organization, their co-workers, and
the community they serve.
Leaders who recognize the contributions of employees and show them the ways in which their
work is helping the organization realize its vision contribute to and encourage their
employees’ sense of purpose. This helps to build strong, trusting relationships between
employees and leadership.
One of the ways feedback boosts engagement is that it builds trust between leadership and
employees, creating a safe, trust-based environment where employees feel that their opinions
are valued and help drive decision-making.
This feedback loop lays the groundwork for a sustainable high-performance environment
where employees have an improvement mindset and think about creative and innovative ways
to help the company succeed.
Recognition should always be part of the feedback leaders provide to employees. Recognition
is such a powerful tool for building engagement because it meets a core human need for both
the employee and the manager.
For recognition to be most effective, it should be given often, and it should be specific so
employees know the work they do in their individual roles is seen and appreciated.
Recognizing employees for their accomplishments shows them not only that leadership is
paying attention, but that they also value the work employees do.
These statistics indicate that employees are much more likely to be engaged in jobs with
organizations that make learning and professional development part of their culture. Fostering
personal growth opportunities helps employees achieve their personal goals and leads to
greater satisfaction, dedication, and engagement.
Employees need to feel that they are growing professionally and developing their skills and
intellectual capabilities for engagement. Creating an atmosphere that champions learning and
development helps employees grow and develop new knowledge and skills that will help them
engage and excel in their jobs.
Autonomy has been identified as a major factor in the job-seeking habits of workers, with
42% of millennials indicating they would opt for a job that allows them to work independently
on projects of their choice. It has become increasingly important for workers in remote and
hybrid work environments.
Think about it as the opposite of micromanagement. When leaders trust employees enough to
give them the tools they need to work with autonomy and trust them to do their work well, it
actually motivates them to perform well.
One of the best aspects of autonomy is the trust-building potential it brings to an employee’s
experience. It not only demonstrates management’s trust and belief in employees, but it also
helps to build employees’ trust in management. This sort of reciprocity fuels engagement.
Inclusive Work Environment
Inclusive work environments that foster honesty and transparency are becoming increasingly
critical factors for engagement.
In the past, people have struggled to split their time between the professional/at-work version
of themselves and the personal/not-at-work version of themselves. Times have changed.
While workers are more focused than ever before on achieving a good work-life balance and
definitely seek a strong line of demarcation between work time and non-work time, they also
want to feel comfortable bringing their authentic selves to work.
This doesn’t mean they want to be less professional. But workers, especially those who have
recently joined the workforce, are looking for opportunities with companies that value their
diversity, unique qualities, and the different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives they
can bring to a team.
Measurement and Assessment
Pulse surveys
Pulse surveys are short and frequent surveys that capture real-time insights on specific aspects
of employee engagement. These surveys can be administered on a regular basis, allowing
organizations to identify trends, track progress, and address any emerging issues promptly.
Performance metrics
Monitoring performance metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) can indirectly
measure employee engagement. By assessing productivity levels, quality of work, meeting
deadlines, and other performance indicators, organizations can gauge the impact of their
engagement initiatives on overall performance and identify areas for improvement.
Exit interviews
While not traditionally seen as a measurement tool, exit interviews provide valuable insights
into employee engagement.
In addition to these, there are other employee engagement metrics too. For example, another
valuable metric to consider when measuring employee engagement is the Employee Net
Promoter Score (eNPS).
Employee net promoter score is derived from the popular Net Promoter Score used in
customer satisfaction surveys. It measures employees' likelihood to recommend their
organization as a great place to work.
By asking a simple question such as 'On a scale of 0-10, how likely are you to recommend this
organization as a place to work?', organizations can gauge the overall satisfaction and
advocacy levels of their workforce.
Calculating eNPS provides a quantitative measure that complements the qualitative insights
obtained from other measurement methods.
Continuous improvement
Employee engagement is an ongoing process, so continuously assess and refine your
measurement strategies. Solicit feedback from employees on the measurement and measure
engagement process itself and make adjustments as needed to ensure its effectiveness.
By implementing these strategies, organizations can gather accurate and meaningful data on
employee engagement, leading to actionable insights and the development of targeted
initiatives to enhance engagement levels and foster a positive and productive work
environment.
Challenges and barriers
Work engagement
Work engagement explores the relationship of the individual employee to his or her own role -
are they motivated, do they see their work as adding value, do they consider themselves to be
an essential element of the overall working hierarchy, and so on. If an individual does not
assign a value to the role they are performing on a daily basis, the chances are high that they
are not feeling engaged at work.
Employers can take a number of steps to manage work engagement, such as offering
flexibility in working hours, ensuring a transparent, accessible reward system, and creating a
culture of inclusivity, where every role’s value is acknowledged recognised. Here again,
however, we hit a barrier when it comes to remote and homeworkers. The chances are that
their remote position offers them the flexibility they need, and they may find themselves cut
off from internal rewards, such as office treats or verbal praise delivered to the whole
organisation.
2. Organisational engagement
On the other hand, organisational engagement focuses on “the emotional commitment the
employee has to the organisation and its goals.” Essentially, this ensures that every member of
the company, from the office cleaner to the CEO, is singing from the same hymn sheet.
Everyone needs to be equally committed to the broader goals, values and ethos of the
organisation. They need to see it as something larger than their individual selves.
This is an essential element of organisational engagement, but you need to make sure that any
employee engagement ideas also work for those who spend most of their time off-site. It is
easy for these workers to feel isolated and out of the loop, and regular, relevant
communication is essential in negating this. Research from Trade Press Services reveals that
85% of employees say they’re most motivated when management offers regular updates on
company news and insights.
Scheduling regular updates are the key to overcoming employee engagement problems.
According to research by Harvard Business Review, when it comes to the pandemic, more
than 90% of employees said they wanted at least weekly communication from their company;
29% said they prefer daily communication. An employee engagement app will set you on the
right path to regular, scheduled messaging. In-built modules make it easy to plan and deliver a
wide range of communications, ensuring no one falls out of the loop.
Missing out on work culture is a genuine concern. Employees need to understand how and
why their efforts are relevant to the organisation as a whole. An alignment with company
goals is one of the critical drivers of employee engagement. Without it, there is a particular
risk for remote workers that they feel they are working in isolation rather than being part of a
bigger drive for success.
Your goal should be to create a community that exists outside of the office walls. Make sure
everyone has a chance to get their thoughts and ideas heard. Aim to build a team spirit that
isn’t dependent on daily physical interaction. Employee engagement software will help you to
launch this community concept. It offers a platform for employees to meet socially, share their
ideas, and exchange information. It won’t matter whether they’re working from home or
based in the office – everyone has a chance to be heard.
With remote workers, however, a little more effort needs to be applied. Written recognition
can be helpful here, perhaps a weekly email rounding up staff achievements or a formal
program such as ‘Employee of the Month.’ This means that those off-site are still a part of the
team, and their achievements and accomplishments are actively acknowledged and
recognised.
Barrier #4 Lack of Balance
A poor work-life balance is a precursor to poor engagement levels. While it has always been a
challenge to ensure employees manage their working life in a healthy manner, it is even more
of an issue for remote workers. If you can help your home workers navigate these employee
engagement conceptual issues, you’ll be going a long way towards increasing motivation and
productivity levels.
Consider allowing more flexibility in terms of where and when the work is completed.
Allowing for some personal freedom is one of the essential employee engagement best
practices. You could offer the option of compressed hours, a flexible schedule or some
breathing space in clocking on and off for the day. It’s a great way to build trust and show you
care.
Your interaction and communication with remote workers will set the bar for the rest of your
employees, and so you need to model active collaboration across the company. This may
include making the most of technology such as Zoom or Teams to allow real-life
collaboration in meetings and allow employers to work on projects together regardless of
where they are working.
In addition to offering plenty of chances for staff to make their voices heard, the leadership
team must be able to communicate effectively with staff using a recognised, central system,
such as an employee app. Effective two-way communication is essential if you want your
employees to remain engaged and alert. Remember, silence can be interpreted in several ways
- not all of them good. So make sure that every employee’s voice is heard, acknowledged and
recognised, no matter where in the world they are
Case Studies or Examples
The 20% time policy has birthed some of Google’s most successful products, including Gmail
and Google News. By granting employees autonomy and the freedom to explore their
passions, Google has tapped into a wellspring of creativity that not only benefits the
employees themselves but also fuels the company’s growth and product development. This
initiative sends a clear message to employees: their ideas and aspirations matter, fostering a
sense of ownership and engagement in their work.
Beyond this, Google invests significantly in creating an environment that nurtures employee
well-being and a profound sense of belonging. The company offers a range of enticing perks,
such as free meals, on-site healthcare, and relaxation spaces. These benefits go a long way in
reducing stress and enhancing the quality of work-life for employees.
This emphasis on well-being is not only a generous gesture but also a strategic move. Google
recognizes that a content and healthy workforce is a more engaged and productive one.
Employees who feel cared for are more likely to stay with the company, reducing turnover
rates and retaining valuable talent.
Google’s commitment to employee engagement through the 20% time policy and an enriching
work environment has consistently yielded high levels of engagement and retention. By
placing trust in their employees’ abilities and well-being, Google has not only set a
benchmark for the tech industry but has also demonstrated how investing in employees pays
off in the long run.
Central to Microsoft’s strategy is the regular collection of feedback from its employees. This
feedback isn’t just for show; it serves as a valuable resource for making strategic
improvements. By actively seeking input from the workforce, Microsoft sends a clear
message that employee opinions matter and that the company values their insights and
concerns.
One of the most compelling outcomes of this data-driven approach is the transformation of
Microsoft’s performance review process. Historically, performance reviews at many
companies were dreaded events, often focused on rankings and ratings. However, by heeding
the feedback received from employees, Microsoft decided to shift its approach. The company
recognized that a performance review process centered on employee development and growth,
rather than competition, was more conducive to employee engagement.
The revamped system at Microsoft fosters collaboration and skill development. Employees no
longer feel the stress of being pitted against each other, but rather, they are encouraged to
work together and support one another’s professional growth. This shift has led to a more
positive work environment where employees are motivated to excel, knowing that their
contributions are recognized and that they have opportunities for personal and career
development.
But there is reason to worry about the lack of rigor that has, to date, often characterised much
work in employee engagement. If we continue to refer to ‘engagement’ without understanding
the potential negative consequences, the core requirements of success, and the processes
through which it must be implemented, and if we cannot agree even to a clear definition of
what people are supposed to be engaged in doing differently at work (the engaged ‘in what’
question), then engagement may just be one more ‘HR thing’ that is only here for a short time.
On a positive note, there is now a wider array of measurement techniques with which to assess
trends in engagement and an associated array of approaches to effect some change. Thus,
aspiration can more feasibly be translated into action.
References
https://www.questionpro.com/blog/difference-employee-engagement-employee-motivation/
https://www.cipd.org/en/knowledge/factsheets/engagement-factsheet/
https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/
https://wethrive.net/employee-engagement/engagement-models-theories
https://www.lumapps.com/employee-engagement/employee-engagement-factors/
https://businessleadershiptoday.com/the-7-factors-of-employee-engagement/
https://www.culturemonkey.io/guides/measuring-employee-engagement/how-to-measure-
employee-engagement/best-ways-to-measure-employee-engagement/#5-best-ways-to-
measure-employee-engagement-for-engaged-employees
https://www.talkfreely.com/blog/barriers-to-employee-engagement
https://www.open.edu/openlearn/money-business/employee-engagement/content-section-4