Engage
Step 5: Engage
Engaging employees leads to a happier, more productive, and committed workforce that positively impacts operations and helps achieve long-term objectives.
building teams that win
Performance Management
The Continuous Performance Management (CPM) represents a continuous process of planning, communication, evaluation, development, and recognition between the employee and the supervisor. The process begins with a planning session for the manager to set major responsibilities, goals, and review the competencies for employees. Please note: a Planning Session must be completed by the manager within 30 days of the effective hire date in the following cases: a new Classified/Unclassified/Other Academic employee is hired, or an employee begins another position (lateral move/promotion/demotion/change job).
Each year, managers complete an Annual Evaluation that provides formal documented feedback and offer development opportunities based on performance. For more information, visit the Performance Management webpage.
Engagement Initiatives
The way we welcome, recognize, and connect with one another lays the foundation for team success. Below are examples of small but impactful practices that can be used to shape a supportive, engaging workplace culture. These ideas can be adapted across departments to help reinforce connections and celebrate individuality without needing a large budget or formal program.
Get to Know You Survey
A short survey that captures their interests, preferences, and fun facts. This information is added to a shared document available to the team and used to:
- Learn more about one another
- Celebrate birthdays and work anniversaries
- Personalize day-to-day connections
Departments can use the suggested questions to create a survey in Qualtrics or Microsoft Forms and share it with team members. The survey can be completed during onboarding or at any stage of the employee lifecycle.
About Me Cards
Responses from the survey are turned into printed “About Me” cards and displayed outside each employee’s workspace. These cards encourage casual conversation and help team members get to know each other beyond roles and titles.
Once downloaded, edit the PDF to adjust the fields.
About Me Card Template – Includes DiSC Circle
About Me Card Template – No DiSC Circle
Current Location Templates
To support clear communication, employees use laminated signs to show their working status, whether they are in the office, at lunch, working remotely, or in a meeting. This helps build a respectful and flexible work environment. Employees can indicate status by using dry-erase markers or stickers, once the card is laminated.
Building Culture, One Practice at a Time
Strong teams are built on more than goals and projects; they are built on connection, trust, and everyday interactions. These small initiatives help reinforce LSU’s commitment to shaping a positive, people-first workplace culture.
Have questions on building team culture? Reach out to the Training & Organizational Development team for support.
Celebrate
Employee Work Anniversary and Birthday
Recognizing and celebrating these milestones show your employees that you value them as individuals, as well as their contributions and efforts in the workplace. These acknowledgements can boost morale and motivation. For more information on LSU’s recognition program, visit our Employee Recognition Program webpage.
If you are seeking ways to celebrate your employee’s 1-year milestone outside of the Employee Recognition Program, explore our 1-year milestone document for some creative ideas.
Be in the Know
Employee Perks
Discount services are available for entertainment, travel, employee wellness, personal finance, and teaching/research aids through campus departments and campus vendors. For more information on campus perks, visit the HRM Perk website.
Geaux Gold
The purpose of this program is to enhance employee engagement and help our new hires build a lifelong connection to LSU and the Baton Rouge community. The program takes place in the Student Union and lunch is provided. Registrations will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. To register, visit Training and Event Registration.