For employees, finding meaning at work is a real motivator. This allows them both to be in line with their values on a daily basis, but also to feel involved in a cause that has a positive impact. Often perceived as a desire specific to new generations, the search for meaning is in fact very present for all employees: An investigation conducted by Audencia and Jobs that make sense in 2022 showed that 92% of employees surveyed were looking for meaning in their work. But what is the impact of this search for meaning for the company? How to support employees so that they can fully develop at work? Our answers.
What is the search for meaning?
The definition of the search for meaning is very individual, so it can differ between people. In general, in the context of work, this means having a job that meets one's personal, professional and social aspirations.
For many, it is a question of feeling useful for society, of contributing to social issues or to the ecological transition. For some, simply having a good work-life balance is enough to find meaning.
Finally, the search for meaning is correlated with specific values and beliefs.
What is the impact of the search for meaning for the company?
As a company, it is essential to make the search for meaning a priority issue, because it has effects on employee motivation and on performance.
A reduction in psychosocial risks
The lack of meaning and motivation can have a strong impact on employee morale.
It can cause:
- Burn-out, through an overload of work that is devoid of meaning.
- Bore-out, due to an insufficient workload or a lack of interest.
- A brown-out, due to a lack of usefulness and stimulation in the tasks performed.
- A silent resignation, consisting in limiting his work to the strict minimum.
All these occupational syndromes lead to suffering at work and an immense loss of motivation. Logically, productivity is falling sharply.
A better retention rate
When employees find meaning in their work, they tend to stay on the job longer. This therefore has a positive consequence for the company, with an increase in the employee retention rate.
High turnover leads to high costs for organizations: recruiting and training can be long and expensive. It can also cause an imbalance within teams and hinder collaboration.
Greater attractiveness on the job market
Your employees are your best ambassadors: if they feel fulfilled in meaningful work, they will not hesitate to talk about it around them. This has a positive influence on both the image of your company, but also for your employer brand.
The search for meaning can increase the attractiveness of your company and facilitate your recruitment, by naturally attracting new talent, ready to put their skills at the service of your cause.
More motivation, commitment and productivity
Employees who find meaning in their mission have more than daily motivation. It is also easier for them to engage with their business, to be proactive and to be fully involved in its development. Logically, this has a positive impact on their productivity.
How to give meaning to the work of its employees?
If you want to help your employees find meaning in their mission within your company, here are 5 best practices.
Ensuring good working conditions
Before your employees can thrive, it is essential to ensure good working conditions for them. Indeed, according to Maslow's pyramid, it is essential to ensure physiological needs, security and belonging before being in a position to be fully fulfilled.
So make sure your employees have the equipment they need to properly carry out their mission, offer them the recognition and promotions they deserve, and don't neglect their well-being.
Communicate clearly
For everyone to fully understand the meaning of their work, it is essential that the company communicates clearly with its employees. In particular, the overall strategy and vision must be expressed so that everyone understands what purpose they are working for on a daily basis.
Within their team, managers must also ensure that everyone is aware of their role and contribution to the collective mission. Recognizing everyone's skills is also very interesting.
Co-constructing projects
Building projects in close collaboration with employees allows them to be real actors within their company. For example, you can define with them the strategies to be put in place and the projects to prioritize.
You can also ask them for better understand their expectations, in particular with regard to working conditions (teleworking, flexible working hours, etc.). In this way, they will feel listened to and considered.
Leaving room for initiatives
The meaning of work does not have the same meaning for all employees, and it is important to be able to individualize this question so that everyone can find their way around. To do this, the best way is to let employees take the initiative. A caring environment is essential for everyone to dare to express themselves.
Tools such as crowdfunding platforms can help employees find meaning through the projects they set up. With Teamstarter for example, everyone can propose ideas that are important to them, and collect the amount necessary to make them a reality. Each month, all employees can allocate a sum of money (defined by the company) to the projects of their choice. It's a great way to encourage The initiatives and collaboration, while giving meaning to work.
Discover how our customers have given meaning to work and transformed the daily lives of their employees.
Download our summary of inspiring projects to see how these initiatives are transforming the work experience
Becoming a company with a mission
Finally, if the raison d'être of your company contributes positively to society and/or the environment, you can become a company with a mission.
In a company with a mission, the raison d'être of the organization is enshrined in its statutes. In addition to profit, it fully integrates social and environmental goals. Employees who work in this type of company often find a lot of meaning in their mission.
The search for meaning is a real challenge in motivating employees in companies. It directly influences their commitment and productivity, two important factors for performance. To (re) give meaning to the work of your employees, start by making sure that you are offering them a good quality of life at work. You can then communicate with them regularly about your strategy and vision so that they fully understand the environment in which they operate. You can also co-build projects, or even let them take initiatives to realize the ideas they care about. Finally, if your organization integrates social or environmental objectives, you may be interested in the status of a company with a mission, perfect for giving meaning to the work of all your employees.
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