Give employees a sense of belonging for their commitment

A recent paper from Dr Ali Fenwick of Nyenrode Business University, examining common retention methods in the workplace, revealed that a sense of belonging is vital.

This is because identifying with the team, leader, brand and organisation is paramount to workplace commitment, as well as work performance.

Fenwick said, “The world of work is changing rapidly and we are seeing increasing numbers of professionals choose to become contractors or work remotely. For businesses, creating a committed workforce in today’s rapidly changing and digitalised environment requires the development of a social contract which doesn’t only include pay and benefits, but also provides pride, purpose, mastery, and a sense of belonging.”

The paper presents an improved model based on ‘identity leadership’ where managers use group identities to promote attachment and create a sense of shared purpose.For example, he suggests that core values, shared goals and meaningful work are important organisational tools for leaders to sustainably attach and engage employees.

Fenwick added, “As a leader, it is absolutely vital to be able to communicate the values and purpose of an organisation, which not only helps understand the ‘why’ behind work, but also improves employee retention and engagement in today’s changing nature of work.

“Organisational socialisation practices such as newcomer onboarding and identity enhancing activities such as creating a shared vision are critical types to develop this psychological attachment, yet HR managers still mainly rely on transactional approaches to employee retention such as competitive salaries and benefits. They are widely overlooking the opportunity to inspire loyalty by encouraging employees to really believe in the company’s mission, which fosters a more durable psychological attachment.”

To find out more about contracting please contact James on 01442 795 100 or email james.trowell@dolanaccountancy.com