Encouraging employee engagement isn’t just about keeping staff happy—it’s a strategic move that directly impacts productivity, retention, and company success. According to studies by Gallup and Deloitte, companies with engaged employees are up to 21% more profitable and experience lower staff turnover. In today’s competitive job market—particularly in tech—engagement could be the key to keeping your best talent.

But how can businesses actively encourage employee engagement? Here are four practical strategies that boost engagement and improve retention.

Four Top Tips To Encourage Employee Engagement

1. Employee Engagement Starts With Onboarding

Employee engagement should be embedded in your company culture from day one. A strong onboarding process helps new hires understand their role, build relationships, and see how their work contributes to the company’s success.

For remote workers, onboarding is even more critical. Companies should provide structured introductions, mentorship opportunities, and a welcoming environment to ensure new hires feel connected—even from a distance.

Cup of coffee and a welcome doodle — One of the biggest challenges faced by employees hiring remote workers is how to make them feel welcome.

A great onboarding experience is a proven way to reap the maximum lifetime value from your employee. Invest in this crucial process to get off to the best possible start. And see your employee engaged from day one.

2. Involve Staff In Setting Company Goals

Feeling involved, valued and appreciated is fundamental to employee engagement. Employees feel most engaged when they understand their role in the bigger picture. Setting clear company, departmental, and individual goals creates alignment and accountability. However, engagement goes beyond setting expectations—employees should also be involved in shaping those goals.

When employees feel their input matters, they’re more invested in the company’s success. Transparency in decision-making also plays a key role. A study by TinyPulse found that workplace transparency is the No. 1 contributor to employee happiness. Keeping employees informed about company changes and strategic direction fosters trust and long-term commitment.

An engaged team celebrating their success — Involving staff in setting goals encourages them to feel more motivated to achieve them.

3. Acknowledge Employees

Acknowledging employees goes beyond a simple “thank you.” Recognition can be public or private, formal or informal—but it must be genuine and meaningful. Consider:

Employee recognition programmes that highlight outstanding performance.
Personalised rewards, from bonuses to additional development opportunities.
Celebrating milestones, such as work anniversaries and promotions.

When employees feel valued, they’re less likely to be swayed by external offers—even from companies offering higher salaries. Employee happiness is something your competitors can’t steal.

Happy employees! Their boss knows how to encourage employee engagement — Take care of your employees and they will take care of your business. Cheesy, but true!

4. Develop Employees

Opportunities to develop and grow at work are essential drivers of employee engagement. In fact, according to one recent study, for 9 out of 10 millennials, career development is critical to them. And the good news is that employers also stand to benefit from employees’ continuing professional development.

“Many employees leave companies because they feel stagnant“, says David Berwick, recruitment consultant with 25 years of experience. Providing opportunities for continuous learning and career progression is one of the most effective ways to encourage employee engagement and increase retention.

Employers sometimes worry that investing in employee development makes them more attractive to competitors. However, the opposite is often true—when employees see clear career progression opportunities, they’re more likely to stay.

Strategies to support employee development include:

Internal training programmes, mentorship, and secondments.
Webinars, podcasts, and distance learning for flexible development.
Mapping out individual career progression plans with regular check-ins.

“Tech employees, in particular, value continuous learning. If your company provides opportunities to upskill, employees are less likely to seek career advancement elsewhere”, highlights Nick Derham, Senior IT recruitment specialist at Adria Solutions.

A mature lady mentoring a younger colleague — Mentoring encourages employees to grow their skills and to become advocates of your business.

The Link Between Employee Engagement and Talent Retention

Tech companies face intense competition for skilled professionals. While salary is an important factor, engagement and workplace culture play a bigger role in long-term retention. Employees who feel challenged, recognised, and valued are less likely to leave—even if competitors offer more money.

A strong work-life balance is also essential. Employers who offer flexible work arrangements, well-being programmes, and a supportive environment create a culture where employees want to stay.

Employers: Start Investing In Engagement

By focusing on onboarding, goal-setting, recognition, and development, companies can create a thriving work environment where employees feel motivated and valued. These small but powerful changes not only encourage employee engagement but also help retain top talent in a competitive market.

Want to improve employee engagement in your business? Our expert recruitment consultants can help you build a strategy to attract, engage, and retain top professionals. Get in touch today.