15 Employee Engagement Ideas to Get Your Team Invested

When done right, employee engagement results in each member of a company giving their best. They’re better at collaborating with the rest of their team—both on a personal level and when completing their job-related tasks—and are committed to company-wide success. Employee recognition and employee rewards play a crucial role in fostering this engagement. In fact, implementing the best employee recognition programs can significantly boost overall workplace satisfaction and productivity.

If engagement at your company is lacking, there are a lot of ways an uninspired workforce can be felt across a company and create a dramatic ripple effect. The key to turning this around is a commitment to improving your company culture from the inside out, often through the implementation of effective employee recognition systems and employee rewards platforms.

So let’s get familiar with what employee engagement is and why you shouldn’t overlook it. Plus, we’ll offer our employee engagement ideas, which have been tested at organizations of all sizes and in a variety of industries, and explore how employee recognition platforms can enhance these strategies.

What Is Employee Engagement?

Employee engagement refers to the level of enthusiasm and commitment an employee feels towards their job and the organization. It encompasses how invested employees are in their roles and their willingness to go above and beyond to contribute to the company's success. This engagement is often bolstered by effective employee rewards programs and recognition systems.

Engagement is, at its core, about company culture. The workplace should be a place where employees are generally happy, as they spend a lot of their time there. Employee recognition platforms can significantly contribute to creating this positive environment and enhancing the overall employee experience and satisfaction.

The Best Employee Engagement Ideas

1. Compensate Competitively

People like to feel acknowledged for their hard work. And although salary is important, it’s not all they want. Be sure you’re staying on top in areas such as healthcare offerings, retirement plans, and generous PTO.

2. Establish a Rewards System

Whether it’s marketing, productivity, or engagement, there are a few things that wouldn’t benefit from the implementation of a gamified system.

Start by setting clear, measurable goals that align with company objectives, and then create engaging challenges or milestones around these goals. This rewards system could involve earning points for hitting targets, completing tasks, or demonstrating company core values, which can then be exchanged for various employee incentives such as extra vacation days, gift cards, or public recognition. 

For example, employees might earn "innovation points" for contributing unique ideas, which are displayed on a digital leaderboard and lead to quarterly prizes for top performers, fostering a fun and competitive atmosphere that motivates everyone to engage more deeply with their work.

You can make this process even easier by implementing employee recognition software that incorporates gamification elements for enhanced performance tracking.

One platform for culture, communication, and employee recognition.

See the Workmates Difference

3. Offer Training and Career Advancement

Employees don’t want to stay in one position forever; they want to grow. That doesn’t mean that you need to prepare them to leave the company for greener pastures—instead, aim to make your company the greenest pasture out there. 

Make sure every employee knows that promotions are not only possible but expected, given good work. Thus, you will find that training will be much appreciated. You can send them to conferences and workshops, assign them recommended readings, or provide them with company-branded how-to demo videos if they are working remotely. This focus on employee development can significantly boost employee retention and satisfaction.

4. Encourage Autonomy, Not Micromanagement

No one likes to feel that they are being micromanaged. Yes, employees should be held accountable, but they want to know that you hired them because you trust in their abilities to do their job. Give them direction, set deadlines, and then set them free to get the job done effectively. 

You can,  of course, as a leader, guide them along the way if you notice that something they’re doing could be done more efficiently, but make sure you are not checking up on them at all hours of the day. Use your check-ins sparingly, and they’ll be more likely to see them as help than feel a hint of dread.

5. Offer Remote Work Options

It may seem counterintuitive to let employees work from outside the office to boost their engagement, but negative office environments can cause work anxiety and thus hinder employee engagement. 

In addition to relieving the stress of your employees, offering remote working arrangements will also help you stay competitive. This could look like allowing employees to work from home certain days of the week, setting up satellite offices, or even offering fully remote positions where team members can work from anywhere with internet access. Ensure that your employee recognition platforms and internal communication tools are accessible to remote workers to maintain team collaboration and facilitate employee feedback.

6. Encourage Personal Projects

One of the top things employees look for in a workplace is one that fosters a healthy work-life balance. Encourage them to have a life outside of work. 

Do they want to hone a skill that is not directly related to their day job? Great, feel free to help them out if you know of resources you can suggest. Cheer them on. Show up for them however you can.

Managers and their subordinates should be able to talk about personal endeavors. If coworkers can share more and help each other out when it comes to their hobbies, they will be happier all around and learn to build each other up.

7. Facilitate Communication and Encouragement

Teams that like and appreciate each other work together best. Push for your employees to get to know each other and treat one another as respected individuals. 

Plus, with the help of good engagement software, they can have a platform to give shout-outs and praise to their fellow staff. It shows each member of the workforce that the other members of the team truly believe in them and are taking note of their accomplishments.  Implementing peer-to-peer recognition software can greatly motivate the team.

8. Make Onboarding a Breeze for All

No one likes coming into a new job and filling out a ton of paperwork. Nor do you need it to be the first thing a new employee thinks about upon walking through the door on their first day. You want them to be excited about the orientation process and focused on the job they were hired to do. 

The right employee onboarding  software will enable smooth transitions for new hires rather than present a bit of a turnoff, as it may have been in the past. Getting the correct forms filled out and catching them up to speed does not have to be a dreaded task when everything is available virtually in one easily accessible place. 

Today, it is more than possible to find an onboarding system that is a great experience for already busy HR staff and anxious new employees alike. With the latest technology, you can be sure they’ll feel welcomed rather than overwhelmed.

See how seamless onboarding can transform your workforce. Book Your Free Demo

9. Welcome Employee Feedback

You want your organization to have integrity and transparency. This is not to say that you should toss out your corporate hierarchy framework. While most decisions should continue to come from the top, your employees need to feel that their voice is valued.

Invite feedback from all team members—yes, even from interns. Everyone should understand they deserve to have their opinions heard. They are more likely to be engaged and enthusiastically interact with their team if they feel they have a voice—and that you’re listening.

You do not have to accept every suggestion, but if an employee brings a concern to your attention or an idea of how to improve any area of your business, hear them out. Thank them for their contribution and see to it that it is at least considered. Implementing regular employee surveys through your employee recognition software can help systematize this process and provide valuable employee insights for performance tracking.

10. Hold Contests and Have Themed Office Days

Who said work can’t be fun? Keep things interesting by, when appropriate, holding little games or themed days at the office.

Try a game night (or lunch). Whether it’s trivia, Pictionary, or even sports, having employees engage in friendly contests is always a good way to get the creative juices flowing and build relationships within the company.

Relay race obstacle courses, escape rooms, board games, card games, VR, you name it. As long as it’s something fun, cooperative, and takes away the stress of work, it’s a suitable candidate for game night.

Themed days can be aligned with major holidays such as a cook-off for Thanksgiving, costumes for Halloween, or a Secret Santa gift exchange for Christmas. And don’t forget about birthdays, as they’re easy to celebrate but just as easy to miss if you’re not keeping track. Use your employee recognition platforms to highlight these events and encourage participation, incorporating gamification elements to boost engagement.

11. Take Employees Out to Lunch

Going out to lunch with all the employees in your office provides a great opportunity to get to know everyone better. Plus, it gives them the opportunity to open up to you about any problems they may be facing.

Most veteran HR managers would agree that they’ve had better luck catching problems early when they already have a rapport with the employees at their company. It also helps you gather invaluable employee feedback about how the employees would want the company to run, what changes would make their jobs easier, and even any operational inefficiencies.

In addition to these small outings, you could also organize company-wide lunches every quarter so that everyone has the chance to build a stronger relationship both with their coworkers and the company as a whole. This reminds them that they’re part of something big and worthwhile.

12. Volunteer as a Company

Many enterprises make giving back to the community a priority. Don’t just give money, though, as things can easily be made more personal than that. One poll found that a staggering 68% of employees would take a job with a company that values volunteer work over one that does not make time for it. 

We’re also seeing that corporate social responsibility (CSR) ranks highest among millennials. Cone Communications reports that up to two-thirds of young professionals said they wouldn’t even consider working for a company that does not prioritize this. Not to mention, it’s great for team building. 

Encourage your staff to volunteer together instead of simply giving them time off to do their own individual community service. And don’t be afraid to change it up—if you don’t have a set organization to which you prefer to donate, you can even have employees vote on which charity or nonprofit they’d like to help each year.  Use your employee recognition platforms to highlight and celebrate these volunteer efforts, further reinforcing positive company culture.

13. Have Snacks in the Office

Employees are more likely to engage with their work if they have access to extra benefits, particularly yummy snacks. You don’t have to spend a fortune on professional catering or bog your employees down with junk food.

There are quite a few nutritious snacks that you can offer such as avocados, dark chocolate, or red grapes. These will keep your employees both happy and healthy. It even serves as an extra incentive to join when headhunting talent. And there are plenty of food ordering solutions available worldwide to make things even easier.

14. Review Regularly to Gauge Happiness

Employees who regularly get to use their strengths, skills, and abilities were found to be as much as six times more likely to be engaged at work—and 8% more productive, according to research from Gallup. 

Hold regular reviews with the aim of not only gauging their performance but also checking in on their overall well-being  and employee sentiment. If they’re not showing the growth their managers were expecting, there could be an underlying reason for that. 

Make sure these assessments are a two-way street—don’t just talk at them, rather, give them a chance to explain their side. Ask them what their goals are, what you or their supervisors could be doing better as leaders, and what would improve their outlook on the job. 

Get them to understand that you take change seriously and that if something can be identified that will help them do better, you will do your best to make that a reality for them. In the end, this should end up proving to be a solution, both for them and for the company as a whole. Utilize performance tracking features in your employee recognition platforms to make this process more efficient and data-driven, providing valuable employee analytics.

15. Meet In and Outside of the Office

With all the tools we have in this digital era, it doesn’t matter if your team is distributed across the globe or sitting across a section of cubicles from one another, there is a way for them not only to get along but genuinely like each other.

Make sure to hold meetings regularly so that everyone is on the same page. Employees should see this as an opportunity to collaborate and ask for help. When people come together to share ideas, fewer potentially great ideas will escape the organization. Some of the greatest innovations started from joint efforts. 

If people are remote, have them call or video into a conference. Even if the team is all situated at a physical office location, don’t skip this step. Emails cannot always replace the nuances and camaraderie of face-to-face interaction. 

And it’s not just about work meetings. Organize ways for your people to meet up outside of work as well. Hold private company holiday parties at rented venues, invite staff to join together at a bar if everyone is local—or, if you have the funds and some of the team is remote, try gathering everyone together for annual, or biannual, retreats. 

You want your team to feel like a cohesive group. And those who have fun together often stay together, creating memories that can then be taken back to work with them and shared among work friends. Use internal communication tools to keep everyone connected, regardless of their location, and consider incorporating milestone celebrations into these gatherings to further boost employee appreciation.

Why Is Employee Engagement Important?

Hiring Top Talent

When a candidate is first researching to see whether they might want to apply, they’ll often look at websites that show current and former employees’ ratings of employers. When the majority of employees are pleased with their experience at the office, positive reviews show prospective hires what a great place your company is.  Having robust employee recognition programs in place can significantly contribute to these positive reviews and help attract top talent.

Boosting Productivity

Employees tend to be more productive when their overall experience is positive. And more productive team members are, of course, great for your bottom line. 

The stock prices of businesses that have made it to Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work for" have risen 14%, per a study from the Jackson Organization as reported by Forbes, while those not on the list are reporting a mere 6% increase. 

When it comes to salespeople, for instance, happier professionals are reported to be able to raise sales by an astounding 37%, on average, according to the Harvard Business Review. Employee rewards and recognition can play a crucial role in maintaining this positive employee experience and driving employee performance.

Improving Client and Customer Relations

Happier employees generally provide a better experience to clients and customers. They genuinely believe in what they are selling and want to go the extra mile for customers’ success. This improved customer service can be directly linked to effective employee recognition and rewards programs, which foster a sense of pride and ownership in one's work.

Lowering Turnover

Don't lose your best employees because they aren’t happy enough while at work. Keeping employee engagement high boosts talent retention.

Voluntary employee turnover has many costs. Plus, filling an empty role has a negative effect on employee morale and takes time and money. When employees see others exiting the company, they might think something is wrong and consider other opportunities. Implementing a comprehensive employee recognition platform can significantly reduce turnover by ensuring employees feel valued and appreciated, contributing to overall employee wellbeing.

Employee Engagement Tools

If any of these employee engagement ideas got the gears turning and sparked excitement for you while picturing all the new, interesting things you can have your team do together, get in touch! 

We can walk you through HR Cloud’s employee engagement software, such as the ever-popular Workmates, to show you how tools that are easy, fun, cost-cutting, and time-saving can get you where you want to be. As one of the top employee recognition companies, we offer a global employee recognition platform that caters to businesses of all sizes.

A tight-knit, more communicative, and all-around more productive work environment is possible with our expert advice and acclaimed technology. To see happiness levels at your company rise quicker than you ever thought possible, reach out and we’ll help you reap the benefits of a more engaged workforce.

One platform for culture, communication, and employee recognition.

See the Workmates Difference

FAQs

What is employee engagement and why is it important?
Employee engagement refers to how committed and enthusiastic employees are toward their work and company goals. It's crucial because engaged employees are more productive, satisfied, and loyal.

How does employee recognition improve engagement?
Recognition boosts morale, reinforces positive behavior, and makes employees feel valued—key drivers of long-term engagement and performance.

What are the best employee engagement strategies in 2025?
Top strategies include offering remote work, gamified reward systems, employee feedback tools, skill development programs, and strong onboarding experiences.

Which employee rewards and recognition platforms are most effective?
Platforms like HR Cloud’s Workmates stand out for peer-to-peer recognition, gamification, performance tracking, and seamless integration with HR systems.

How can companies create a culture of continuous feedback?
Use employee engagement software to run pulse surveys, set up anonymous feedback channels, and regularly review feedback during one-on-ones.

What makes a successful employee onboarding experience?
A smooth digital onboarding system that eliminates paperwork, communicates clearly, and immerses new hires in company culture from day one.

How do employee engagement tools help reduce turnover?
By improving communication, promoting recognition, and supporting personal development, these tools increase job satisfaction and retention.

Can remote teams stay engaged and motivated?
Yes—with the right tools for communication, recognition, and collaboration, remote employees can remain connected, appreciated, and productive.

Author Bio:

This article is written by a marketing team member at HR Cloud. HR Cloud is a leading provider of proven HR solutions, including recruiting, onboarding, employee communications & engagement, and rewards & recognition. Our user-friendly software increases employee productivity, delivers time and cost savings, and minimizes compliance risk.