environmental hygiene
environmental hygiene
By Michael Parker, CMIP, T-CHEST, T-CNACC, T-CSCT
The Power of Employee Connection: Building a Thriving Workplace
Strong employee connections foster a sense of belonging, trust, and teamwork, which can improve job satisfaction, productivity, and overall workplace culture. It can also include employees’ connections with leadership and their alignment with the organization’ s mission and values.”
Employee connection refers to meaningful relationships, communication, and collaboration between employees within an organization. In today’ s fast-paced healthcare arena, the concept of employee connection has emerged as a cornerstone of organizational success. It involves how well employees engage with each other, share information, and work towards common goals. Strong employee connections foster a sense of belonging, trust, and teamwork, which can improve job satisfaction, productivity, and overall workplace culture. It can also include employees’ connections with leadership and their alignment with the organization’ s mission and values.
Types of Employee Connections
➊ Employee-to-Employee: When employees build friendships and support each other, it creates a positive work environment where people feel comfortable sharing ideas and working together toward common goals. Strong employee-to-employee connections foster teamwork, collaboration, and camaraderie.
➋ Employee-to-Values: This approach focuses on how well an employee’ s values align with the organization’ s mission and culture. When employees resonate with the company’ s values— such as integrity, innovation, or community— they are more likely to be committed to their work.
➌ Employee-to-Work: Relates to how engaged an employee feels with their specific tasks and responsibilities. When employees find their work fulfilling and understand its importance to the organization, they are more likely to feel motivated and be productive.
The Role of Connection in Organizations
Connection plays a pivotal role in any organization, serving as the bridge between the company’ s vision and its workforce. This clarity reduces confusion and aligns team efforts toward common goals. Research shows that when leaders connect effectively with their employees, it can lead to several benefits, both for the organization and for individual employees. Frequent and meaningful interactions between leaders and employees foster trust which is a foundational element in effective teamwork and can lead to higher levels of cooperation and performance. Strategies to enhance employee connection include regular communication, recognition and rewards, professional development, and social( team building) events.
Increased Employee Engagement and Satisfaction
Gallup’ s research consistently shows that employees who feel connected to their leaders are more engaged and when employees are engaged, they are more productive, committed, and less likely to leave their jobs.
Employee Connection Reduces Turnover
Engaged employees are more productive, committed, and less likely to leave their jobs. When leaders build trust and open communication, it creates a psychologically safe environment. Employees are more likely to share ideas, take risks, and be innovative when they feel supported by their leaders.
A study published in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology found that employees who have strong, positive relationships with their leaders are less likely to leave the organization. This is because they experience higher job satisfaction and loyalty. Positive leader-staff relationships are linked to lower absenteeism rates. When employees feel connected and supported, they are less likely to take unplanned time off. Ultimately, fostering strong employee connections leads to a more cohesive, resilient, and motivated workforce, benefiting both employees and the organization.
Enhanced Organizational Culture Leaders who actively engage with their staff contribute to a positive organizational culture. This environment encourages collaboration, inclusiveness, and shared values. Leaders set the tone for the organization’ s culture. By demonstrating positive behaviors and attitudes, they encourage similar behavior throughout the organization. Some of the additional benefits of developing a culture of strong employee connections include:
● Higher productivity
● Better retention
● Enhanced innovation
● Improved well-being are additional benefits of strong employee connection.
Additional Benefits of Strong Employee Connection
➊ Improved Performance and Productivity
Leaders who connect with their staff often function as mentors, providing guidance and support that can boost performance. Employees are more likely to go the extra mile when they feel valued and supported. Leaders who maintain strong connections with their teams ensure that everyone is aligned with the organization’ s mission and goals, which improves overall productivity.
➋ Reduced Absenteeism
A study published in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology found that employees who have strong, positive relationships with their leaders are less likely to leave the organization. This
26 • www. healthcarehygienemagazine. com • may-june 2025