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Employers have long realized that employee engagement is a critical factor in any organization’s success. Engaged employees are more productive and more enthusiastic about what they do in their careers, as well as where they do it. Studies have shown that employers with a higher level of engaged workers outperform those with lower levels by a significant margin. 

But the numerous and rapid changes that have impacted the workforce over the past few years have taken a toll on many workplaces. Changes in systems, procedures, protocols, and in more extreme cases, changes in workplace locations and/or senior management can create harmful side effects for employers and workers. 

A condition many call change fatigue has started to affect employee populations across the nation. This happens when your workers experience a type of mental overload from constant change. Employees often prefer a certain amount of routine in their day to balance what seems like an increasing level of shifting priorities in the tasks they need to accomplish. 

Employers, however, are not powerless in combating this phenomenon. An organization’s strategic plan should forecast expected changes in the future, and management should find ways to distance these changes from each other so that they do not bunch up and pile up on their staff in a short span of time. Proper planning can save many a headache in the days, months, and years ahead. 

Another effective method is to involve some of your key players in change initiation. Staff members who show leadership skills, such as team leaders, can be helpful in communicating and implementing changes because they understand their teammates and those in other departments they work with on a regular basis.  

It’s a safe bet that constant change will be with us for some time, and effectively taking control of how these changes roll out will be a major factor in keeping your employee happy and productive, helping ensure they stay with you well into the future. If you have any questions about how Employers Council can help you manage the challenges of change fatigue, please email our Member Experience Team.