Increasing Employee Engagement Through Novelty

Employee engagement is in a slump. Nearly all studies confirm what employers already know: Workers aren’t enthusiastic about their jobs. One recent study found that disengaged employees cost between $450 and $500 billion annually due to absenteeism, loss of productivity, and turnover. This problem can be understood, though, through a historical lens. Old work culture decreed that a full-time job required working 40 hours a week, but new technological tools and digital connectivity have resulted in employees accomplishing their tasks with much greater efficiency. When a 40-hour-per-week job takes 20, boredom and apathy result. With this in mind, novelty becomes a powerful tool in increasing engagement. Mixing up scheduling and responsibilities, as well as introducing cross-training, can make jobs more than just repetition. Giving employees the opportunity to grow through training and stimulating work experiences increases engagement across the workforce.