Proprietary research my partner Leigh Branham and I have conducted is clear—a commitment on the part of an employer to the health and well being of their employees is a significant driver of employee engagement. Don’t believe me? Listen to the observation of one such employee at a company that has shown outstanding employee engaement results in this area:
Our boss is very fair about vacation days, personal days and sick days. He gives us half day Fridays during the summer and closes the office for the entire week between Christmas and New Year’s. By giving us ample time off, it makes people want to be more productive at their job so when we’re here they’re really working hard. (my emphasis)
This may have not always been so valuable for employees, but with the emerging need for work-life balance, any employer who isn’t striving to achieve the connection so clearly explained by this employee is losing ground in the battle to maintain the hearts and minds of their workforce.
