There is a lot of evidence to suggest that the most successful organisations enable employees to feel heard. 

If done well, it can boost company innovation, creativity and progress, whilst also raising and nurturing employee retention, job satisfaction and happiness. 

If you’re still looking for reasons to help your employees engage, or you’re looking to boost your presentation to management on the topic, take a look at these reasons employees want to be heard:

Being Part Of Something Bigger

As humans we have a need to feel we are part of a bigger purpose - something meaningful. It has been proven that this is especially true with our jobs. Being heard forms part of this feeling. We don’t just work for a company, but we feel part of it and it’s goals and motivations. 

Feeling Empowered

Employees who feel heard are 4.5 x more likely to feel empowered. Feeling empowered in your job is a wonderful thing. It enables you to feel like you have a say, and you matter. You are also more likely to want to speak up if you think something needs to change, providing invaluable feedback to leaders in your business. 

Job Satisfaction

Job satisfaction is what keeps us going back to work each and every day. It isn’t everything, but it is enough to make a role we spend so much time in pleasurable and enjoyable day to day. Being heard contributes to this because our suggestions make the workplace a nicer environment to spend time in. It is also easier to do you job when your suggestions make the changes necessary for better productivity. 

Health

Employees care more and more about their health these days. That is part of a global health trend, greater awareness of disease, and an expectation that the company you work for will contribute towards your wellbeing. Being able to actively let your employer know when something in the workplace is unhealthy, or when the way things work cause you unhappiness, is important. Being heard when you suggest healthy changes like flexible working, or even just a free fresh fruit bowl on reception, makes a huge difference to your employee wellness. 

Feeling Represented 

Employees appreciate feeling represented at work, rather than being a voice that isn’t heard. This includes race, disability, sex and other groups of people who may feel that your organisation is not diverse and that diverse views are not represented. Representing all members of society in your organisation starts with employee engagement. 

No Will For Positive Change

If employees feel they are not heard, they are likely to continue their job without really trying to change anything. They may feel speaking up is pointless. Employees want to feel heard so that they can feel secure knowing if there is an issue, they can speak up. Feeling like what you say makes no difference depletes your will to try, which is unlikely to result in any kind of long term job satisfaction. 

Understanding why employees want to be heard can be a great catalyst for change, and the beginning of a period of growth and success for your business.