The definition of human resources is “the division of a company that is focused on activities relating to employees”, according to the business dictionary.
 
That means recruitment, looking after training, sometimes payroll, and the management and development of staff. As well as all the logistical ticking of boxes and policies and procedures to follow, a good HR team will also be responsible for the wellbeing of their employees, and that also means ensuring they are engaged.
 
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Having engaged staff generally leads to a happier workplace. They’re more likely to communicate effectively with each other, work better in team environments, and understand what makes their colleagues tick.
 
It leads to increased productivity, better mental health outcomes, higher profitability and lower turnover.
 
The multi-million dollar question therefore is how do you encourage people to engage with their colleagues, or even take an interest in what their employers are doing?
 
The answer does not necessarily lie with big budget retreats or a basket of continental goods at Christmas.
 
There are plenty of simple ways to increase engagement and make employees feel valued without taking out a second loan. It doesn’t take much to get people talking to colleagues they’ve hardly spoken to before while in the lunch room. Food is a great start.
 
Whether it’s Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, a shared brunch to celebrate an announcement or Good Friday hot cross buns, everyone loves to share nibbles. That could extend to the chief executive inviting a dozen staff into the boardroom to chew the fat, off the record, several times a year.
 
Casual Fridays help staff loosen the tie and combined with a gold coin donation to different charities each month, gives everyone a sense of satisfaction.
 
Does your office have a footy tipping competition, watch the Melbourne Cup together, or run a Bachelor sweep? Will the Honey Badger truly find love? You may not care, but a lot of your colleagues might, and it will probably encourage them to talk to each other on a Friday morning when they’re tired and grumpy. 
 
Does your workplace offer staff time off for volunteering? Do you get together and plant trees once a year? Some workplaces allow their staff to take time off to work on overseas charitable missions, from building wells to teaching English.
 
Not everyone in an office, supermarket, workshop or law firm will get along despite our best intentions. But simple engagement tools might just help cut turnover and lead to a happier, less stressed, healthier workplace, making the role of a Human Resources representative easier.
 
If you’d like to know more about Business SA’s HR courses, please click here.