Acas is encouraging UK businesses to prepare for the potential economic up-turn by focusing on employee engagement. In a new discussion paper, Acas highlights the simple procedures that can increase employee engagement in the workplace, to improve staff retention, increase morale and encourage greater productivity.

Acas has launched a new discussion paper Building Employee engagement. It indicates that there is a good case for focusing on employee engagement as a business priority, which includes creating and maintaining a culture of diversity by giving employees a ‘voice’, showing respect and safeguarding integrity. Employees who are committed to their work are much more likely to behave in a positive, cooperative way – a benefit to both employees and the business.

There are four broad enablers. One focuses on leadership. The other three are directly linked to diversity, i.e. (i) managers must treat their people as individuals with fairness and respect; (ii) employees’ views should be sought out, listened to and employees made to feel that their opinions count; and (iii) integrity – if an employee sees the values of the business ingrained in the management team, a sense of trust is more likely to be developed.

SM&B are running a free breakfast briefing on Employee Engagement on 16 March at Frith Street, presented by Andrea Cartwright, who is Head of Employee Engagement at Nationwide. Book a place by emailing eva.squibb@smab.co.uk