Communication 'will boost employee engagement'

Date: 12/04/2010

Employee engagement is "essential" in the current economic situation, according to an expert, who highlighted that the impact of organisational change on employees should not be underestimated.

Sheila Payne, health management consultant at intermediary ADVO Group, told Health Insurance and Protection magazine that employers should recognise the need to constantly communicate with staff, particularly during difficult times.

Dr Doug Wright, principal clinical consultant at Aviva UK Health, added that during periods of change firms should be aware of the uncertainty being created in individuals.

"That means being very clear in your communications strategy, and setting timescales for different sequences," he added, saying that monitoring absence levels is a good way of measuring success in this.
The magazine highlighted the case of the Post Office, which had high absence levels relating to stress after it moved from being a public sector service to a private firm, which could have been improved with increased communication.

Josh Spiro, recently writing for Inc, said that employee engagement is particularly important at the moment as firms try to hold on to their best staff following the recession, saying that firms which rest on their laurels will likely see staff leaving.

Written by Jo Morgan

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