Why is sense of belonging at work important?
For companies, sense of belonging is critical to developing motivation and fostering employee retention.
Employees with a strong sense of belonging to their team or employer are more engaged in their work. In turn, they will be more productive and often stay at the company longer.
A sense of belonging can also nurture a pleasant and stimulating work environment.
How do you measure sense of belonging at a company?
Sense of belonging at work can be measured in 2 different ways.
Managers and HR directors can observe employees’ behavior to measure the belonging they feel. Conduct such as involvement in social events, positive discussions with co-workers, and goal attainment can all demonstrate a strong sense of belonging.
Managers can also question employees using an anonymous survey to measure their sense of belonging.
How to create a sense of belonging within a company
Creating a sense of belonging is a long-term endeavour. It is also a personal feeling for each employee, and it may vary over the course of their career. There is no one-size-fits-all solution.
Companies wishing to create a sense of belonging on their team can:
- Promote recognition at work
- Work on the company’s values and culture
- Better integrate employees into the team
- Define clear and shared company goals
- Design an effective onboarding process
- Demonstrate leadership
How to strengthen sense of belonging at work
Companies that want to strengthen or improve their team members’ sense of belonging can apply several strategies, such as:
- Offer additional training to employees
- Organize team-building activities
- Be more flexible with work schedules
- Do more one-on-ones with employees
- Cultivate trust with their team
- Take an interest in employees’ personal lives
- Adapt their communication methods
What factors develop a sense of belonging?
Factors that help bring about a sense of belonging at work include:
- Respect and consideration on the part of the employer
- The quality of the work that is done
- The importance of customer service;
- The clarity of each employee’s responsibilities
- A strong, shared mission and clear values
- The feeling that the work is meaningful
- What are the risks of a low sense of belonging at work?
Risks associated with a low sense of belonging include:
- A high turnover rate
- Difficulty with recruitment
- Low employee engagement
- Lower productivity
