4 Simple Ways We Keep Employees Engaged At Hiredly

Employee engagement is not just a buzzword. Understanding how to keep employees engaged at work can build a positive and productive environment.

By Kimberly Chang on 2023-11-27 at 7:11 AM

Updated on 2024-11-11 at 3:12 AM

Fostering Positive Employee Engagement in Malaysia

Employee engagement is a vital aspect of any successful business, especially in a culturally rich and diverse dynamic such as Malaysian companies. Engaged employees are more productive, have higher job satisfaction, and are more likely to stay with their employer.

Creating a positive work environment in Malaysia involves more than just physical space. It includes cultivating a company culture that respects diversity, encourages open communication, and promotes teamwork. Practices such as regular team-building activities, celebrating cultural festivals, and ensuring a comfortable and safe working environment are essential. These efforts help in boosting employee morale in Malaysia and creating a sense of belonging and community within the workplace. When employees feel respected and included, they are more likely to be productive and engaged.

How To Keep Employees Engaged at Work

At Hiredly, we love encouraging companies to adopt a positive work culture that prioritises genuine connection. But it’s time to prove we walk the talk. Here’s what we’re currently doing to keep our employees engaged and at their best:

1. Foster Open Communication

One of the most effective ways to engage employees at work is by creating a culture of open communication. Employees need to feel that their opinions are valued and that they can voice ideas without fear.

As a startup, there are risks in every decision we make. So we make it a point to share our organisation’s key issues, metrics and progress as openly as possible – and that includes our finances.

We have town halls regularly to keep everyone up to speed on the decisions we make and what’s at stake for all of us.

How does it keep employees engaged? We love that it keeps everyone’s goals aligned and makes sure everyone has a say in where the company is headed. This approach not only enhances transparency in the workplace but also bolsters employee involvement in decision-making. By actively including staff in these critical decisions, we foster a sense of ownership and responsibility among team members. 

This encourages active participation and collaborative problem-solving, which is an essential aspect of how to improve employee engagement in Malaysia. Additionally, this openness helps in building trust within the team, as everyone is aware of the business challenges and successes. These practices are part of our core efforts to improve company culture and boost employee morale, ensuring that every team member feels valued and connected to our collective mission.

2. Personalised attention from our CEO

Derek, our “benevolent dictator”, makes an effort to have 1-on-1 lunches with each one of his full-time employees.

These lunches often lead to amusing conversations from how everyone is doing down to our favourite animes! Even Interns have a dedicated time to spend time with our CEO.

It’s an excellent opportunity for the team to pick Derek’s brain (as he does with ours!) and discuss our goals, ideas and even life outside of work.

This employee engagement effort is largely possible due to the current size of the company but it is an effort we intend to keep even as we grow!

We are committed to scaling this employee-centric approach to enhance job satisfaction and strengthen team cohesion as we expand. By ensuring that each employee feels heard and valued, we lay the groundwork for sustained organisational commitment and long-term employee retention. Investing in your team's growth is one of the most impactful ways to engage employees at work.

3. Recognise and Reward Achievements

One of our core values at Hiredly is supporting and thanking each other. For the best employee engagement, we like to make sure our team knows they’re doing a great job (and love when we get praised too!)

For this, we created a “Praise Wall”, a page on Workplace where anyone can celebrate a team member on a job well done.

It not only lets people know they’re moving in the right direction, but the boost in morale shows a ripple effect on the rest of the team.

It doesn’t take a lot of effort to do but the effect it has on our team is priceless. For many of us, it’s important to know that we’re making a difference in the company!

Get creative and create your company’s version of the Praise Wall on whatever platform you use for communication.

But why stop online? A physical Praise Wall or Staff Shout Out Board can be the perfect morale-boosting addition to your office space.

Recognition plays a key role in how to keep employees engaged at work in Malaysia. Acknowledging achievements—big or small—encourages employees to continue performing at their best. This initiative plays a pivotal role in promoting positive reinforcement and enhancing employee recognition. Each post on the Praise Wall acts as a public acknowledgment that not only validates the individual's effort but also reinforces our culture of appreciation. Moreover, such practices lead to increased job satisfaction and can significantly impact employee retention rates. As we continue to nurture this culture, we see a more engaged workforce, ready to contribute creatively and collaboratively towards our collective goals.

4. Promote a Healthy Work-Life Balance

Initiatives that promote physical health, mental well-being, and work-life balance are crucial. Offering flexible working hours, remote work options, stress management workshops, and wellness activities such as yoga or fitness classes can significantly contribute to employee satisfaction in Malaysia. When employees feel that their health and well-being are priorities, they are more likely to feel committed and engaged with their employer.

We’re proud to say that we’ve cultivated a culture where everyone cares deeply for each other.

While company-wide activities are regularly organised, the team takes initiative in planning group dinners and games themselves!

Though social interaction does wonders for mental health, sometimes we need help from professionals too. At Hiredly, full-timers have access to counselling sessions.

If you’d like to introduce mental health assistance in your benefits package, consider reaching out to local mental health services and negotiate a plan that works for your team and budget. We use Aloe Mind for regular mental health check-ins!

For more employee engagement ideas, check out:

• 7 Ideas For The Ultimate Onboarding Experience
• Employer Branding In Malaysia: What It Is And How To Identify Yours
• Your Guide To Hiring And Retaining Malaysian Gen Z Talent

Find the best recruitment and talent solutions here.

By Kimberly Chang on 2023-11-27 at 7:11 AM