"Getting Engaged"

Steve Bates

HR Magazine

February 2004, pp. 44-51

Employee engagement has become a hot topic. Research indicates that, for a typical organization, roughly 50% of all employees do just enough to get by, 25% are totally turned off by their jobs, and only 25% are enthusiastic.

Consulting firm Towers Perrin says the following workplace attributes are most critical to employee engagement (in order of importance):

1. Senior management is interested in employees' well-being
2. Challenging work
3. Decision-making authority
4. Evidence that the company is focused on customers
5. Career advancement opportunities
6. The company's reputation as a good employer
7. A collaborative work environment where people function well in teams
8. Resources to get the job done
9. Input on decision making
10. A clear vision from senior management about success

The article provides case studies in employee engagement from New Century Mortgage, Saks Fifth Avenue, Roche Diagnostics Corp., Stryker Corp., and Toyota Motor Manufacturing.

Back to top of page