How to strengthen workforce engagement in a hybrid office

Hybrid work isn’t an experiment anymore. It’s how many teams operate. But with flexibility comes added responsibility: making sure your people stay motivated, connected, and engaged. 

Strong workforce engagement doesn’t happen by accident. It takes consistent effort to build an environment where everyone feels part of something bigger—whether they’re logging in from home or coming into a physical workplace.

What is workforce engagement?

Workforce engagement is the level of motivation, connection, and commitment employees feel toward their company and its goals. An engaged workforce isn’t just clocking in for a paycheck. They care about doing meaningful work that moves the organization forward.

Gallup describes engaged employees as those who take ownership of their work, drive high performance, and strengthen team relationships. Still, only about a third of U.S. employees say they’re actively engaged, and that number keeps shifting as hybrid work evolves.

You might also see the term “WEM,” short for workforce engagement management. It refers to the tools and strategies companies use to measure, support, and improve engagement across teams.

Ways to boost workforce engagement in a hybrid workplace

Building an engaged workforce takes intention and effort. Here are five practical ways to help your hybrid team stay connected and motivated.

1. Encourage real connection

Relationships matter—especially when people aren’t in the same room every day. Make time for genuine conversations in one-on-ones or team meetings. Ask about wins, milestones, or personal updates that build trust beyond project work.

These small interactions create a stronger sense of belonging and help improve the overall employee experience. When people feel seen and supported, workforce engagement naturally grows.

2. Recognize and reward contributions

Recognition is one of the simplest—and most powerful—ways to boost engagement. But in hybrid teams, great work can slip by unnoticed.

Find consistent ways to celebrate wins: a shoutout in Slack, a mention in a hybrid meeting, or a quick thank-you during all-hands. Keep it public, timely, and specific. When people know their effort matters, they’re more likely to stay motivated and loyal.

3. Support mental well-being

According to a recent report, mental health plays a huge role in workforce engagement management. Burnout and blurred boundaries can quietly drain energy and focus.

Support healthy work habits by setting clear limits around working hours and communication. Offer flexibility, mental health resources, and open conversations about balance. When people feel supported as humans—not just employees—they show up with more creativity and drive.

4. Offer meaningful flexibility

Autonomy fuels engagement. Give people more control over how and where they work—whether that’s choosing in-office days or picking their workspace.

Flexibility shows trust. And trusted employees are more productive, innovative, and engaged. Use workplace technology with integrations that make it easy to coordinate schedules, reserve desks, and collaborate across locations—keeping hybrid teams organized and connected without extra effort.

5. Use workplace data to improve engagement

Insights from workplace data—like desk occupancy, team collaboration patterns, and employee feedback—can help leaders create environments that meet employees’ needs. By analyzing this data, you can make informed decisions on office layout, meeting spaces, and scheduling, helping your team feel more supported and connected.

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Investing in workforce engagement pays off. Engaged teams are more productive, make fewer errors, and are less likely to leave. But disengaged employees can cost organizations trillions in lost productivity each year.

When you focus on connection, recognition, well-being, and flexibility, hybrid work stops being a challenge and becomes a real advantage. 

Ready to learn how to identify and solve other top hybrid work challenges? Download our ebook.