Did you catch this eye-opening stat? Only 1 in 4 folks on your team genuinely wants to stick around! And guess what? Almost half of employees feel like their bosses aren’t delivering the employee experience they were promised.
Shocking, right?
That’s a real wake-up call for you. When your employee experience is great, not only do they feel great — directly or indirectly, they attract top talent and leave competitors in the dust. That’s why around 47% of HR leaders prioritize building a positive employee experience. Let’s dive into this edition of the newsletter to discover why employee engagement matters!
What Is Employee Experience?
Employees logically expect transparency, authenticity, simplicity, and relevance. They expect an experience that delivers on a compelling employer brand promise and the expectations it sets. — Lisa G. Morris, Founder and CEO, XPLOR
Employee experience (EX) is like the workplace journey – it’s how your employees feel and what they go through at work, from starting the job to daily tasks. A positive experience is when employees are supported, valued, and happy, making them excited to work. For instance, getting praise for good work or having flexible schedules can make it positive.
On the flip side, a negative experience is when there’s poor communication, lack of support, or unfair treatment, making people feel unappreciated and frustrated. It’s like their efforts are overlooked or there’s no room for growth.
See the difference? Positive employee experience makes the workplace a way better and more exciting place to be.
The Employee Journey
Depending on your stage in the employee journey, different aspects of the employee experience will be more important. If you’re experiencing a high trust relationship you’ll be predisposed to viewing your overall experience in positive terms. — John Ryan, CEO of Healthy Place to Work
The employee journey starts from day one to whenever they decide to move on. It’s like a series of chapters:
- Attracting potential candidates to join
- Hiring the right ones
- Initial onboarding
- Ongoing development
- Making sure they stick around happily
- When they’re leaving
A great employee experience includes tweaking things to fit the needs at each step.
For instance, 88% of employees feel they were not given a nice onboarding program. So, in such cases, onboarding could’ve been amped up for the positive new hire feeling, or some training options could’ve been added during the development phase.
A well-thought-out and executed onboarding plan makes employees 33% more engaged at work.
Why Is Positive Employee Experience Important?
Employee experience is globally valued by workers. Let’s explore in detail why it matters so much and how it improves recruitment efforts in this section.
1. Improved Employee Retention
Ever heard of quiet quitting? It’s when employees mentally check out as they’re not feeling the work vibe. If the connection’s not there with the job or the team, they’re out the door.
But here’s the flip side: positive employee experience nurtures job satisfaction, making employees engaged and more likely to stay. When employees are into their work, leaving the company isn’t on the agenda.
2. Cost Savings
Negative employee experience often leads to disengagement among employees. When disengaged employees join the mix, low engagement ends up hitting companies hard—roughly 18% of their yearly salary kind of hard.
But employees who’ve had a positive employee experience stick around, cutting down on turnover headaches and the hefty costs of hiring and training.
3. Positive Employer Brand
A company that champions employee experience becomes a magnet for top talent. Your employees become your company’s biggest cheerleaders. When a company invests in creating a positive environment, it builds a stellar reputation as the place to be. This reputation attracts top-tier talent eager to join the ranks and be part of the action.
Plus, happy employees stick around. They’re likely to share their positive experiences with friends and professional networks, creating a positive buzz about the company.
4. Positive Online Presence
While 86% of potential candidates check company reviews before applying for it, 50% won’t apply to a badly reputed company. When employees spread love about their awesome experiences on social media or review sites, it builds a positive online image that job seekers notice when checking out potential employers.
So, those good vibes shared by the team not only boost morale internally but also attract new talent by showcasing what a fantastic place it is to work.
5. Increased Application Quality
When a company’s vibe is positive, it draws in candidates who vibe with its values. This brings in top-notch applications, the kind that’ll really fit into the organization. This way, organizations can build a dream team for success right from the start. On top of that, happy employees refer their friends or acquaintances, bringing in a bunch of top-notch candidates.
6. Health and Well-being
When employees experience being engaged and happy with their jobs and colleagues, they’re not just satisfied; they’re stress-free. Initiatives to develop a positive employee experience like a smart employee engagement plan even promote healthy habits. Otherwise, 44% of employees feel they experienced a lot of stress the previous day.
7. Alignment with Organizational Goals
Ever notice how engaged employees seem to have this extra spark? After all, they’ve found real purpose in their work. They don’t just work; they actively contribute, giving the company an extra push towards its goals with passion and dedication.
6 Effective Strategies to Improve Employee Experience
Here are some positive employee experience strategies to make your workplace that’s not just a 9-to-5 grind but a place where everyone’s excited to be, contribute, and succeed:
1. Invest in Your People’s Growth
Did you know that only 1 out of 4 employees feels confident about their career paths? Your company can become a launching pad for your employees. You can throw opportunities at them to make them learn and grow.
Become like a mentor who genuinely cares about their employee success. When they feel like their company’s got their back, they’ll get a feeling of a positive employee experience.
2. Inclusivity Is the Name of the Game
Make a workplace where everyone’s opinions and backgrounds are not just welcomed but celebrated. When everyone feels valued, you get a team that’s not just satisfied but super committed, creative, and fantastic at problem-solving.
3. Have a Two-Way Communication
You should hear and seriously consider the ideas and concerns of employees. This back-and-forth dialogue builds trust and connection, making them feel valued. That sense of being in the loop and having a say contributes to a positive experience—no one likes feeling like their voice doesn’t matter, right?
4. Perks and Benefits Tailored Just for Your Employees
Your employees will like it when your workplace understands them so well that they offer perks like flexible schedules, health plans, and even childcare support that perfectly match your needs. When the company goes the extra mile for employees, they feel valued and encouraged to bring more talent to it.
5. Let Them Choose Their Schedules and Spaces
Ever dreamt of having a say in your work schedule and where you work? When employees have this freedom, they’re not just showing up; they’re owning their space, and that’s a recipe for high morale and engagement.
Avoid Employees From Quiet Quitting…
Your employees who’ve had a positive employee experience are the most valuable players driving the company’s success. After all, a positive employee experience ensures job satisfaction, reduces turnover costs, and builds a strong employer brand.
It attracts top talent, enhances online presence, and improves application quality. Engaged employees actively contribute, aligning with organizational goals.
Let’s champion positive employee experience — more than an HR goal, it pushes companies to greatness.
