Last updated on Sep 2, 2024

How do you balance employee engagement and productivity in times of crisis?

How do you balance employee engagement and productivity in times of crisis? This is a question that many managers and leaders face when dealing with uncertainty, disruption, and stress in the workplace. In this article, we will explore some strategies and tips to help you maintain a positive and productive work environment, while supporting your employees' well-being and motivation.

1 Why engagement matters

Employee engagement is the degree to which employees feel committed, connected, and valued by their organization. It affects not only their performance, but also their satisfaction, retention, and loyalty. Engaged employees are more likely to be creative, innovative, and collaborative, as well as resilient and adaptable to change. In times of crisis, engagement can help employees cope with challenges, overcome obstacles, and find solutions.

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Saleem Shah

Founder of CPCG
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To effectively balance employee engagement and productivity during crises, it's crucial to first define what constitutes a "crisis." Many organizations view a crisis as an unexpected, severe, and disruptive event. CPCG offers our clients>98% uptime. We consider any significant, uncontrollable change a potential disaster. We are not scared of a disaster. Instead, we embrace it as a fact. Every process goes through a DRP (Disaster Recovery Plan), where time-sensitive functions are tagged and redundant teams are developed. These teams undergo continuous multidirectional cross-training and refresher sessions, preparing them to step in seamlessly when needed, even though they do not perform these functions under normal circumstances.

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Mika Cross

Workplace Transformation Strategist and Futurist #RemoteWorkPositive Transforming the world of work, one workplace at a time…
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Resilient Companies whose employees are 1.5 times more engaged than their competitors, also outperform their competitors by 147%! Investing in designing a premier employee experience, helps drive continuous improvements in employee satisfaction, engagement and performance.

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2 How to measure engagement

To balance engagement and productivity, you need to have a clear picture of how your employees are feeling and performing. You can use various tools and methods to measure engagement, such as surveys, feedback, polls, recognition, and analytics. These can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your work culture, the needs and expectations of your employees, and the areas for improvement and action.

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3 How to boost engagement

Once you have established a baseline level of engagement, you can implement strategies and initiatives to increase it. Communicate with your employees regularly and openly, listen to their opinions, and foster dialogue and collaboration. Show support and flexibility, recognizing the difficulties they may be facing. Acknowledge their efforts and contributions, celebrate successes, offer feedback and incentives, and demonstrate that you value their work. Empower them with autonomy, involve them in decision-making, provide them with opportunities to learn new skills and take on new responsibilities, and challenge them to pursue their goals.

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Mia (Maria) Smithson, SHRM-CP

Global Director, Talent Management | Female Founder
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High employee engagement is crucial! Here's why taking steps to improve it matters: Stronger Communication: Open communication and listening to employee concerns builds trust and a positive work environment. Motivation & Recognition: Acknowledging employee efforts, celebrating wins, and offering incentives keeps them motivated. Growth & Development: Empowering employees, offering opportunities to learn, and involving them in decisions helps them feel valued and invested in the company's success. Overall Success: Happy, engaged employees are more productive, creative, and less likely to leave, leading to a stronger and more successful company.

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4 How to monitor productivity

Productivity is the output and quality of work that your employees produce, and it is affected by resources, processes, systems, and motivation. To balance productivity and engagement, you need to monitor and evaluate how your employees are performing and delivering results. To do this, set clear and realistic expectations that are aligned with the organizational vision and strategy. Track and measure progress using tools and metrics to collect data on performance indicators such as time, cost, quality, and customer satisfaction. Additionally, identify and address any issues that may affect productivity, such as technical glitches or communication gaps. Involve your employees in finding solutions and provide regular feedback to help them learn from mistakes.

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5 How to balance engagement and productivity

Balancing engagement and productivity is an ongoing process that requires constant attention, adaptation, and improvement. To achieve this, you need to consider the organization’s purpose, values, and goals; the needs and interests of the teams and individuals; and the physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being of your employees. Aligning engagement and productivity with the organization’s purpose and values is essential. You should also customize strategies according to the situation and preferences of each employee. Additionally, it is important to remember that engagement and productivity are not only about work, but also about life. Therefore, promote a healthy and happy work environment that fosters trust, respect, and fun.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Ramon Perez-Goicoechea
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In my experience to balance employee engagement and productivity in times of crisis I will consider these 7 elements: 1. Prioritize clear communication to maintain transparency and trust. 2. Offer support and flexibility to accommodate personal challenges. 3. Foster a sense of community through virtual team-building activities. 4. Provide resources for managing stress and promoting well-being. 5. Set realistic expectations while acknowledging individual circumstances. 6. Encourage open dialogue to address concerns and adapt strategies. 7. Recognize and celebrate achievements to boost morale and motivation.

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Human Capital

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How do you balance employee engagement and productivity in times of crisis?

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1 Why engagement matters

2 How to measure engagement

3 How to boost engagement

4 How to monitor productivity

5 How to balance engagement and productivity

6 Here’s what else to consider

Human Capital

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