Are your employee engagement levels suffering? You’re not alone. Read along as we share 10 powerful employee engagement initiatives to boost morale, retention, and performance in 2025.
According to a recent Gallup report, employee engagement is at a 10-year low. Only 32% of U.S. employees felt engaged at work in 2024, while nearly 18% reported being actively disengaged—a number that has been rising since 2020.
Key factors that are contributing to reduced employee engagement:
- Reduced clarity of expectations
- Not feeling cared for at work
- Limited encouragement for development
To combat disengagement, companies need to implement effective initiatives to improve employee engagement that foster connection and overall workplace satisfaction. Continue to explore employee engagement ideas that meet the needs of the 2025 workforce and examples of these new initiatives that deliver measurable business impact.
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What are Employee Engagement Initiatives?
Employee engagement initiatives are designed to boost employee motivation, satisfaction, and connection to an organization. These initiatives go beyond traditional incentives, focusing on creating an inclusive and fulfilling work environment that aligns with employees’ professional and personal goals.
What is the Purpose of Employee Engagement Initiatives?
The goal of initiatives to increase employee engagement is to foster a positive workplace culture where employees feel heard, valued, and motivated. When employee engagement strategies are executed effectively, these initiatives lead to:
- Higher productivity and performance.
- Increased employee retention.
- Stronger collaboration and teamwork.
- Greater job satisfaction.
- A positive company culture.
10 Employee Engagement Initiatives for 2025
Today, we know that the most successful employee engagement initiatives create a culture where employees feel valued, heard, and invested in their work.
Below, we explore 10 innovative employee engagement initiatives, including practical tips, and ways to measure success.
1. Launch wellness initiatives that prioritize work-life balance
Employees who can balance their professional and personal lives are more likely to stay engaged, productive, and satisfied with their roles. Initiatives to increase employee engagement should focus on reducing burnout and promoting a healthy workplace.
Tips to execute:
- Offer flexible work arrangements, including remote or hybrid options.
- Introduce mental health days and encourage employees to use them.
- Provide wellness stipends for gym memberships, therapy, or mindfulness programs.
Employee engagement initiative examples in practice:
- A company implements a four-day workweek to improve employee well-being.
- Organizations provide subscription-based wellness apps for employees.
Benefits of this employee engagement initiative:
- Increases productivity by reducing stress and burnout.
- Enhances employee satisfaction and retention.
- Positions the company as an employer that values work-life balance.
How to measure success:
- Use employee engagement surveys to track satisfaction levels.
- Monitor absenteeism and turnover rates before and after implementation.
- Gather employee feedback through pulse surveys to refine wellness programs.
🎁BONUS: Is measurement a sticky point in your organization? Check out our article on how to measure employee feedback.
2. Provide career development opportunities
Employees are more engaged when they see a future within their company. Employee engagement initiatives that focus on career growth help retain top talent and encourage skill development.
Tips to execute:
- Develop clear career progression plans with employees.
- Offer mentorship and leadership training programs.
- Provide tuition reimbursement for continued education.
Employee engagement initiative examples in practice:
- A company introduces AI-powered career coaching to help employees identify growth opportunities.
- Employees receive personalized learning paths based on their career goals.
Benefits of this employee engagement initiative:
- Increases employee motivation and loyalty.
- Reduces turnover by offering growth opportunities internally.
- Aligns individual success with company goals.
How to measure success:
- Track internal promotions and upskilling metrics.
- Measure participation in mentorship and training programs.
- Conduct stay interviews to understand employee career aspirations.
3. Establish mentorship programs for employee connection
Mentorship fosters a culture of learning and support, making employees feel valued and more connected to their organization. Innovative employee engagement initiatives like mentorship programs strengthen team dynamics and improve retention.
Tips to execute:
- Employee engagement best practices include pairing junior employees with senior leaders for career guidance.
- Offer reverse mentoring to promote knowledge-sharing across generations.
- Set clear goals and milestones for mentorship relationships.
Employee engagement initiative examples in practice:
- A tech company launches a cross-departmental mentorship program to encourage collaboration.
- Employees participate in virtual mentorship circles for leadership development.
Benefits of this employee engagement initiative:
- Strengthens company culture and employee relationships.
- Increases knowledge-sharing and career development.
- Enhances engagement by providing growth opportunities.
How to measure success:
- Track mentorship participation rates and program feedback.
- Conduct employee satisfaction surveys on mentorship effectiveness.
- Monitor retention rates among mentored employees.
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4. Organize team-building activities to strengthen workplace culture
Team-building activities help employees connect beyond work tasks, fostering a collaborative and positive work environment. New initiatives for employee engagement focus on creating engaging, inclusive team experiences.
Tips to execute:
- Organize virtual team-building events for remote employees.
- Plan monthly in-person or hybrid team outings.
- Use gamification techniques to encourage participation.
Employee engagement initiative examples in practice:
- A company introduces a company-wide innovation challenge to promote teamwork.
- Employees participate in monthly “lunch & learn” sessions to strengthen bonds.
Benefits of this employee engagement initiative:
- Builds trust and communication among teams.
- Enhances collaboration and cross-functional relationships.
- Improves employee morale and company culture.
How to measure success:
- Use pulse surveys to gather employee feedback after events.
- Monitor engagement levels and team collaboration metrics.
- Track employee participation rates in team activities.
5. Encourage employee volunteering to create a purpose-driven culture
Employees who have opportunities to give back to their communities feel a greater sense of purpose at work. Initiatives to improve employee engagement should align with social impact goals.
Tips to execute:
- Offer paid volunteer days for employees.
- Partner with nonprofits for company-wide charity events.
- Encourage employee-led fundraising initiatives.
Employee engagement initiative examples in practice:
- A company launches a volunteer time off (VTO) policy.
- Employees participate in monthly charity drives.
Benefits of this employee engagement initiative:
- Boosts employee morale and job satisfaction.
- Strengthens company reputation and brand loyalty.
- Increases teamwork and company pride.
How to measure success:
- Track participation rates in volunteering initiatives.
- Create an employee feedback loop on satisfaction with volunteer opportunities.
- Measure brand perception and community impact.
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6. Implement employee wellness programs for a healthier workplace
A strong focus on employee health can lead to initiatives to increase employee engagement by reducing burnout, absenteeism, and stress. Employees who feel their well-being is prioritized are more likely to stay engaged and productive.
Tips to execute:
- Offer wellness stipends for gym memberships, therapy, or nutrition programs.
- Provide access to mental health resources, including confidential counseling.
- Organize wellness challenges to promote physical activity and mindfulness.
Employee engagement initiative examples in practice:
- A company implements a monthly step challenge with incentives for participation.
- Employees receive free subscriptions to meditation and mental wellness apps.
Benefits of this employee engagement initiative:
- Reduces stress and increases job satisfaction.
- Improves overall workplace morale and company culture.
- Enhances employee productivity and reduces healthcare costs.
How to measure success:
- Use employee wellness surveys to gauge participation and effectiveness.
- Track absenteeism and stress-related leave trends.
- Monitor engagement in wellness activities via participation metrics.
7. Enhance onboarding experiences to improve employee retention
The onboarding process is a critical time for engagement. A well-structured onboarding experience can make new hires feel welcomed and prepared, leading to initiatives to improve employee engagement that last throughout their careers.
Tips to execute:
- Provide a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding plan.
- Assign onboarding mentors or “buddies” for new employees.
- Use digital onboarding tools for a seamless, interactive experience.
Employee engagement initiative examples in practice:
- A company integrates AI-powered onboarding chatbots to guide new hires.
- New employees participate in virtual meet-and-greet sessions with leadership.
Benefits of this employee engagement initiative:
- Speeds up new hire productivity and confidence.
- Reduces early turnover by improving first impressions.
- Builds stronger connections with company culture from day one.
How to measure success:
- Conduct new hire surveys after 30 and 90 days.
- Monitor early retention rates and time-to-productivity metrics.
- Track engagement with onboarding resources and training materials.
8. Conduct regular employee surveys to gather actionable feedback
Companies that listen to their employees are more likely to retain them. Regular employee surveys are innovative employee engagement initiatives that help measure satisfaction and identify areas for improvement.
Tips to execute:
- Implement quarterly engagement pulse surveys.
- Create anonymous surveys by leveraging tools that encourage honest responses.
- Act on survey findings and communicate changes to employees.
Employee engagement initiative examples in practice:
- A company launches real-time feedback surveys through ContactMonkey’s email tracking tools.
- Employees participate in biannual engagement reviews to share workplace concerns.
Benefits of this employee engagement initiative:
- Identifies trends and engagement challenges early.
- Builds trust by showing employees their voices matter.
- Enables continuous improvement in company culture and policies.
How to measure success:
- Track survey response rates and engagement scores over time.
- Analyze qualitative feedback for recurring themes.
- Compare engagement metrics before and after implementing survey-based changes.
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9. Recognize and reward employees to boost morale
Recognition is one of the simplest yet most effective initiatives for employee engagement. Employees who feel appreciated are more motivated to perform at their best.
Tips to execute:
- Establish a peer-to-peer recognition platform.
- Celebrate work anniversaries, achievements, and milestones.
- Offer personalized rewards based on employee preferences.
Employee engagement initiative examples in practice:
- A company uses AI-driven recognition software to automate employee shoutouts.
- Teams create a monthly “Wall of Appreciation” to highlight outstanding contributions.
Benefits of this employee engagement initiative:
- Increases employee motivation and job satisfaction.
- Strengthens team relationships and workplace culture.
- Encourages high performance and productivity.
How to measure success:
- Track employee participation in recognition programs.
- Use employee feedback surveys to assess satisfaction with recognition efforts.
- Monitor retention and productivity levels to gauge impact.
10. Establish Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for inclusion and belonging
A sense of belonging is crucial for engagement. Employee engagement initiatives examples like ERGs give employees a platform to connect, support one another, and shape company culture.
Tips to execute:
- Create ERGs focused on diversity, shared interests, or professional growth.
- Provide company-sponsored funding and resources for ERG initiatives.
- Encourage leadership involvement in ERGs to show support.
Employee engagement initiative examples in practice:
- A company launches a Women in Leadership ERG to support career growth.
- Employees form a remote workers’ community to improve virtual collaboration.
Benefits of this employee engagement initiative:
- Fosters a more inclusive and diverse workplace.
- Builds community and strengthens peer support networks.
- Encourages cross-team collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
How to measure success:
- Track ERG membership and participation rates.
- Monitor engagement levels in ERG-led initiatives.
- Collect feedback from ERG members on the impact and effectiveness of programs.
How Can ContactMonkey Help Boost Employee Engagement?
By improving communication, collecting real-time feedback, and measuring engagement, ContactMonkey helps create a more connected and motivated workforce. Here are all the features and functionality IC pros can take advantage of to launch innovative employee engagement initiatives:
- Enhance internal communication with email and SMS: Keep employees informed about new initiatives for employee engagement by sending targeted messages via email or through our SMS communication feature.
- Boost participation with pulse surveys: Collect real-time employee feedback on initiatives to improve employee engagement using our interactive pulse survey feature.
- Improve onboarding with personalized email campaigns: Send automated onboarding emails to guide new hires through their first weeks and ensure a smooth transition.
- Increase recognition with employee shoutouts: Celebrate achievements with internal newsletters by leveraging our time-saving email template builder feature.
- Measure engagement with data and analytics: Track employee email open rates to gauge interest with our analytics dashboard feature.
If you’re ready to take your employee engagement to the next level, our experts are ready to chat and answer all your questions. Book a free demo today in less than a minute to get started!