The role of engaged employees can’t be underestimated when you see tangible results of a successful organization. However, the beginning of employee engagement could well be employee feedback. Studies show that organizations with engaged employees can be twice as productive as compared with disengaged employees. Despite the clear benefits of employee feedback, many organizations struggle to collect it effectively. Employee feedback can be vital in attracting and retaining top talent and should be essential in your organization. This article will explore how you can use employee feedback and leverage modern software to listen to employees across the employee life-cycle.  

Attracting and Retaining Top Talent through the stages of the Employee Life-Cycle

The employee life-cycle consists of four main stages: onboarding and engagement, development and growth, performance management and retention, and exit. Understanding and listening to employees at each stage is critical to ensuring a healthy and productive workplace. 

• Onboarding and Engagement: Employees who are engaged feel a sense of ownership and responsibility for their work. They are excited about their job and committed to their organization. Listening to employees at this stage helps identify what motivates and inspires them. 
• Development: Employees are working to improve their skills and knowledge in the development stage. They are open to feedback and eager to learn. Listening to employees at this stage helps identify areas where they need more support or development. 
• Retention: This stage can be divided into two parts: the active retention stage and the passive retention stage. During the active retention stage, employees are actively engaged in their work and are working towards meeting their goals. This is where companies invest the most in their employees, providing them with training, development opportunities, and support. The passive retention stage is when employees are no longer actively engaged in their work. They may still be employed by the company, but they are not contributing to its success. This stage is often characterized by low morale and high turnover. Performance management can be vital in turning passive employees into active ones. Listening to employees at this stage helps identify what keeps them satisfied and what they need to become more engaged.  
• Exit: Employees in the exit stage leave the organization voluntarily or involuntarily. Listening to employees at this stage helps identify any underlying issues that may have contributed to their decision to leave, in turn, finding areas in the organization that may need improvement. 

If you want to retain top talent in the workplace, it is important to collect feedback from your employees through all of these life cycle stages in your organization. 

The Importance of listening to Employees

Communication is the lynchpin that holds any relationship, personal or professional. All too often, miscommunication can lead to conflict, resentment, and a feeling of being unvalued. That’s why you must ensure that you listen to your employees, especially regarding their needs and concerns. 

Unfortunately, many employers don’t always take the time to listen to their employees. Studies show that nearly 60% of workers feel their bosses don’t value their opinions. It can have a direct impact on employee morale and motivation, as well as productivity. 

Suppose you want to create a positive and productive work environment. In that case, you must make an effort to listen to your employees and, if need be, continuously work on enhancing your listening skills. Here are a few tips: 

• Make time for one-on-one meetings: Whether weekly or monthly, set aside some time to meet with each of your employees individually. Give them a chance to air their views, and share any concerns or suggestions they may have.
• Encourage open communication: Let your employees know that you’re open to hearing their feedback, whether it’s positive or negative. Empower them, so they speak up if they have an idea or concern.
• Show that you’re listening: When your employees share their ideas, ensure you’re really listening. Acknowledge what they’re saying and show that you’re taking it seriously.
• Follow through: If your employees make suggestions, try to implement them if possible. Always let them know if they can be implemented or not. It will show that you value their input and are willing to make changes based on their feedback. 

Effective communication is imperative for successful business growth. Listening to your employees keeps you way ahead of the game because you are creating a work environment that is healthy and positive, in turn boosting morale and earning the loyalty of your top talent.  

How does Synergita help with Employee Feedback?

Synergita helps organizations continuously collect employee feedback and take action on it. The software enables regular, two-way communication between employees and managers. Some of the key features of Synergita that help with employee feedback are: 

• Continuous Feedback: With Synergita, organizations can collect employee feedback on an ongoing basis, identify issues at an early stage and take corrective action.  
• Action Plan: The software includes an ‘Action Plan’ feature, which helps managers track and close the loop on employee feedback. It ensures that employees feel heard and their concerns are addressed promptly. 
• Employee Engagement Scorecard: The scorecard provides a 360-degree view of employee engagement across different departments and locations, helping organizations identify areas of improvement and take necessary action.
• Pulse Surveys: The software also allows organizations to conduct pulse surveys to get real-time feedback on specific issues. It helps to identify and resolve problems quickly. 
• Employee Portal: The employee portal provides a single view of all the employee feedback collected through different channels. It helps employees track their feedback and see how the organization addresses it.
• Reports and Analytics: The software provides reports and analytics which help organizations track the progress made on employee feedback. It helps to identify areas of improvement and take necessary action. 

Conclusion

The importance of listening to employees across the employee life-cycle cannot be overstated. Listening skills will always be of paramount importance in one’s growth. Creating a culture where employees feel heard and valued in a work environment is essential, and listening is integral to earning employee trust and loyalty. Listening to employees is also an excellent way to gain valuable insights into their needs and concerns, strengthening the working relationship across the board. Synergita’s performance management system runs the gamut from hiring to employee engagement and retention in a well-integrated package and could be your answer to a company-wide engaged workforce.

Also Read:

Proven Employee Retention Strategies in 2022