It’s easy for agents to feel disengaged given the current state the COVID-19 pandemic has left the globe in. A national lockdown has torn us away from families, workspaces and for many of us, life as we know it. We cannot see friends, with video calls, social media and phone, text and email the only ways we can communicate with those we care about. As for the things that fill our lives with joy, purpose and excitement such as the gym, travelling abroad on holidays and even the commute to our offices, it’s all banned under strict government rules. Life has changed and with it, parts will not return. Though it’s not all doom and gloom. The pandemic has spawned a new way of working, with businesses opting to close their offices for good to allow for a better work-life balance for employees working from home permanently, it has boosted climate change by cleansing our air and waters and allowed us all a period of quiet reflection.
That said, the feeling of disengagement among agents is still rife in many organisations. A recent poll by ADP found that 84% of the global workforce is disengaged. This is a major issue because the more employees feel this way, the more their overall performance will plummet. Mental wellbeing should be at the forefront of the minds of business leaders. Here, we look at five ways employee disengagement can affect your business or brand.
Disengagement is Costly
Actively disengaged employees act out on being unhappy at work, which in turn undermines the productivity of engaged employees. They also cost an employer time and resources through taking up more managerial time and creating more quality issues that would otherwise not exist.
High Staff Turnaround
Disengaged employees are also one result of a high agent turnaround, which is not only bad for business but also bad for the brand. Many disengaged employees may have a valid reason for their unhappiness, so business leaders should discuss any issues with them. More often than not, the problem could be a confidence issue in their role or even a bad experience with a customer. A boost in training would resolve these issues. Should the problem be no room for promotion, openly discussing options would benefit the agent.
Productivity Plummets
Agents that are more actively engaged produce more business and earn more for the company. That’s a no brainer. But did you also know engaged employees also use fewer resources too?
Disengagement Stomps Out Net Morale
Disengaged employees are known to be the root cause of disruption within a business. But it’s when this bleeds into the working lives of actively engaged employees when it becomes an even bigger problem. Net morale is reduced and the overall level of team satisfaction is significantly reduced. This, in turn, makes for an unhappy working environment.
Tarnishes Brand
Employee engagement has a very real effect on a company‘s motto or brand message. Cultivating engaged and driven employees is a must for improved productivity, customer satisfaction, and profit.
