Next Generation Employee Experience: Shift Perspectives for Better Outcomes

Employee experience is a crucial factor in determining the success of a company. Organizations with high levels of employee engagement outperform their peers by 147% in earnings per share. However, despite the clear benefits of investing in employee experience, many companies still need help to create a workplace culture that truly values and supports their employees. This blog post will explore seven ways companies can think about employee experience differently for better outcomes and operational success.

1. Emphasize Personal Growth and Development

One of the key drivers of employee satisfaction and engagement is the opportunity for personal growth and development. According to a study by LinkedIn, 94% of employees would stay with a company longer if it invested in their career development. Therefore, companies should prioritize employee development programs that allow employees to learn new skills, attend conferences, and participate in training sessions.

However, it is important to note that personal growth and development are not solely focused on job-related skills. Companies should also prioritize employee well-being by offering programs that promote mental health, stress management, and work-life balance. Personal growth and development opportunities can increase employee satisfaction, retention, and overall performance.

Need a cheat sheet? Here are 10 quick steps to boosting employee engagement:

1. Provide opportunities for personal growth and development, such as training sessions and career advancement programs.
2. Foster community and belonging by promoting team-building activities and social events.
3. Provide flexibility and autonomy by offering remote work options and flexible schedules.
4. Prioritize employee health and wellness by offering wellness programs and mental health resources.
5. Encourage feedback and open communication by offering regular check-ins and employee surveys.
6. Offer competitive compensation and benefits packages to attract and retain top talent.
7. Recognize and reward employee achievements and contributions.
8. Create a culture of transparency and trust by sharing company goals and progress with employees.
9. Provide opportunities for employee involvement and input in decision-making processes.
10. Prioritize diversity and inclusion by promoting a culture that values and respects all employees.

 

2. Foster a Sense of Community and Belonging

Creating a sense of community and belonging is critical to fostering a positive employee experience. A study by Harvard Business Review found that employees who feel a sense of belonging are 3.5 times more likely to be motivated and engaged at work. Companies can create a sense of community and belonging by promoting team-building activities, hosting social events, and encouraging employees to build relationships with their colleagues.

Furthermore, companies should prioritize diversity and inclusion to create a workplace culture that values and respects all employees. Businesses with diverse workforces are 35% more likely to have financial returns above the industry median. Fostering a sense of community and belonging can increase employee engagement, job satisfaction, and overall well-being.

Need some quick wins? Here are 5 short-term ways to foster community and a sense of belonging at work:

1. Organize team-building activities: Activities like team lunches, game nights, or volunteering events can help employees bond and build relationships.
2. Create a mentorship program: Pairing new employees with more experienced colleagues can help them feel supported and connected to the company culture.
3. Encourage open communication: Encourage employees to share their ideas and opinions and create an environment where everyone feels heard and valued.
4. Celebrate milestones and achievements: Recognize and celebrate important events, such as birthdays, work anniversaries, or project completions.
5. Promote a culture of inclusivity: Foster a culture that celebrates diversity and promotes inclusivity. Encourage employees to share their unique perspectives and experiences and ensure everyone feels welcome and included.

 

3. Provide Flexibility and Autonomy

The traditional 9-to-5 workday needs to be updated as employees prioritize work-life balance and flexibility. FlexJobs found that 84% of employees value work-life balance more than salary in their study. Companies should prioritize flexibility and autonomy by offering remote work options, flexible schedules, and unlimited vacation time.

Flexibility and autonomy can improve employee satisfaction, productivity, and well-being. According to a study by Stanford University, remote workers are 13% more productive than their office-based counterparts. Companies prioritizing flexibility and autonomy can attract and retain top talent and increase overall operational success.

The key to promoting autonomy at work:

1. Offer flexible work arrangements: Allowing employees to choose when and where they work can promote a sense of autonomy and control over their work-life balance.
2. Set clear goals and expectations: Providing employees with clear objectives and expectations and the necessary resources to achieve them allows them to work independently and take ownership of their tasks.
3. Delegate decision-making: Empower employees to make their own decisions by delegating tasks and responsibilities to them. This promotes autonomy and allows employees to develop their decision-making skills and take on new challenges.

 

4. Prioritize Employee Health and Wellness

Employee health and wellness are critical to creating a positive employee experience. According to a study by the World Health Organization, workplace stress costs U.S. employers an estimated $300 billion annually in healthcare and lost productivity. Companies should prioritize employee health and wellness by offering wellness programs, gym memberships, and mental health resources.

Furthermore, companies should create a workplace culture that values and supports employee well-being. A study by Deloitte found that companies with a strong culture of well-being are 11 times more likely to have employees who feel engaged and committed to their work. Prioritizing employee health and wellness can improve employee engagement, job satisfaction, and overall well-being.

Why is employee well-being so important? Because depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy annually in lost productivity. Poor mental health impacts individuals and has a significant economic impact on businesses and society.

5. Encourage Feedback and Open Communication

Open communication and feedback are critical to creating a workplace culture that values employee input and ideas. According to a study by Harvard Business Review, employees who feel their voice is heard at work are 4.6 times more likely to feel empowered to perform their best work. Companies should prioritize open communication and feedback by offering regular check-ins, employee surveys, and open-door policies.

Furthermore, companies should use employee feedback to make meaningful changes in the workplace. A study by Harvard Business Review found that companies that act on employee feedback see a 14.9% increase in employee engagement. Encouraging feedback and open communication can improve employee engagement, job satisfaction, and well-being.

6. Offer Competitive Compensation and Benefits

Compensation and benefits are critical factors in attracting and retaining top talent. 76% of employees consider salary and compensation the most important factor when considering a new job. Companies should offer competitive compensation and benefits packages to attract and retain top talent.

Furthermore, companies should prioritize benefits that promote employee well-being, such as health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans. A Society for Human Resource Management study shared that companies that offer comprehensive wellness programs have an average of 28% fewer sick days and 26% lower healthcare costs. Offering competitive compensation and benefits can attract and retain top talent and increase overall operational success.

7. Create a Culture of Continuous Learning and Improvement

Continuous learning and improvement are critical to creating a workplace culture that values innovation and growth. Companies should prioritize constant learning and improvement by offering training programs, mentorship opportunities, and regular performance feedback.

Furthermore, companies should create a culture that values innovation and experimentation. According to a study by PwC, companies prioritizing innovation are 50% more likely to achieve above-average growth.

 

Creating a continuous learning and improvement culture can improve employee engagement, innovation, and overall operational success. In fact, 94% of employees would stay at a company longer if it invested in their learning and development. This is especially true for younger workers, with 87% of millennials stating that professional development opportunities are important in a job. This highlights the importance of providing continuous learning and development opportunities to attract and retain top talent, particularly younger workers who value these opportunities highly.

In conclusion, employee experience is critical to the success of a company that can be measured using a employee experience software. By emphasizing personal growth and development, fostering a sense of community and belonging, providing flexibility and autonomy, prioritizing employee health and wellness, encouraging feedback and open communication, offering competitive compensation and benefits, and creating a culture of continuous learning and improvement, companies can create a workplace culture that values and supports its employees. Investing in employee experience can improve employee engagement, job satisfaction, and overall well-being, ultimately leading to increased operational success.