In New Zealand, worker engagement is a legal requirement—but it should be viewed as much more than compliance.
I’ve seen engagement fail long before workers reach a formal engagement forum, because people have already been made to feel inadequate, undervalued or invisible by senior leaders or managers.
True engagement starts with everyday interactions and leadership behaviours—not just meetings, committees or surveys.
You can’t create meaningful engagement if people don’t feel valued, respected and safe to speak up.
