How to improve your employee experience strategy: our 10 tips
Apr 24, 2024
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There’s a reason why the employee experience gets so much attention these days. Because it matters!
The best companies know that focusing on creating and cultivating employee engagement and a positive employee experience will drive a number of important business outcomes from decreasing employee turnover, to improving productivity, to boosting customer service, to improving product and service quality — and much, much more.
Employee experience is a business concept that can be hard to define, but companies certainly know it when they see it. They know it because they’re a go-to employer, they attract and retain top candidates, employee satisfaction and engagement numbers are high, productivity is high, and bottom line impacts are clear.
The concept of the employee experience can, and has been, well defined, though. For example, Gartner defines employee experience as “the way in which employees internalize and interpret the interactions they have with their organization, as well as the context that underlies those interactions.” A strong employee experience can be an important part of your talent retention strategy.
So what are those interactions employees have with their organizations? They range from their experiences during the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding process; to how they’re managed on a day-to-day basis; to the interactions they have with coworkers, clients, customers, and vendors; to the feedback they receive from managers and internal customers; to their interactions with leaders — and the list could go on.
Literally every interaction, or touchpoint, that an employee experiences when they’re at work contributes to their employee experience. In addition, the experiences that others have, and talk about, also impact their perceptions — from customer feedback to media reports. Employees want to work for companies that are well regarded and where they feel valued.
When they feel valued and when they feel engaged at work, they’ll work harder, they’ll contribute to positive word-of-mouth about the organization which will boost both hiring and sales success, and they’ll reward you with their loyalty.
Creating a positive employee experience is a top priority for companies of all kinds. In fact, Gartner reports that it was the top priority for companies in 2024, with 62% of respondents to their Peer Community One-Minute Insights report, (followed by change management planning at 44%).
The bottom line: offer a positive employee experience — one that employees value and that drives their commitment and loyalty — and you’ll reap the benefits of stronger employee engagement.
Here are ten tips to include in your employee experience strategy, to improve the employee experience and foster a thriving workplace culture.
To improve employee well-being and happiness at work, it's crucial to prioritize well-being in your employee experience strategy. Harvard Business Review reports that there is a causal link between happy workers and productivity. But, Gallup research indicates that: “Fewer than one in four U.S. employees feel strongly that their organization cares about their wellbeing — the lowest percentage in nearly a decade.”
Take action: Encourage work-life balance. Offer a wide variety of wellness programs and events that cater to employees' demographic tastes, their physical preferences and their emotional needs.
Effective communication is the backbone of any successful organization and goes a long way to support employee wellbeing. Open, transparent communication creates trust, promotes teamwork and collaboration, and contributes to better relationships between employees and their managers.
Take action: Encourage open dialogue; actively solicit and then listen to your employees' feedback. Provide opportunities, forums, and tools for employees to share their thoughts and ideas. This not only increases employee engagement but also fosters a sense of belonging and shared responsibility.
Investing in your employees' growth and development is essential for their long-term satisfaction and loyalty, reducing the likelihood that they will exit the organization. Gartner research has found that companies that make a strategic investment in employee development report 11% greater profitability and are twice as likely to have higher employee retention levels.
Take action: Offer training programs, create mentorship programs, and clear career paths to help employees expand their skillset and reach their fullest potential within their current role and beyond.
In today's digital age, flexibility in the workplace is becoming increasingly important, including both remote and hybrid work. While conflict rages between companies drawing a hard line on return to work (ROW) and employees demanding flexibility, this much is true: FlexJobs reports that 95% of working professionals want some form of remote work.
Take action: Allow employees to work remotely, offer flexible hours, support work-life balance, and provide the technology and tools necessary for seamless collaboration and connection no matter where employees sit.
Everyone likes to be recognized and appreciated for their hard work. Making an effort to give employees the recognition they crave will pay off for businesses too. Gallup’s research has revealed that: “Well-recognized employees were 45% less likely to have changed organizations too years later.”
Take action: Implement a robust recognition and rewards program to acknowledge employees' achievements and contributions. This boosts morale, motivates employees to perform at their best, and reinforces a positive workplace culture.
Strong personal and team relationships are crucial for a positive employee experience. Connecting employees in the workplace creates bonds that give a sense of belonging, smooths information exchange, and provides comfort when expressing ideas, delivering opinions or dealing with conflict.
Take action: Encourage team-building activities using community managers. Create opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and foster a culture of inclusivity and respect. When employees feel connected with their peers, they are more likely to be engaged and satisfied in their roles.
Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are essential for a thriving workplace culture. When people from different backgrounds and experience levels collaborate, they bring their unique experiences, perspectives and knowledge to the table, boosting innovation and creativity.
Take action: Embrace diversity in all its forms, foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected, and provide equal opportunities for career growth. By focusing on DEI initiatives in the workplace, and promoting diversity and inclusion, you create a thriving culture that celebrates differences and encourages innovation.
Traditional performance management systems that provide feedback only once a year are a thing of the past. Today’s employees thrive when they receive continuous feedback and coaching about their role performance.
Take action: Regularly check in with your employees, provide constructive feedback, and support their growth and development to create a continuous learning environment that empowers employees, and enhances their overall experience.
Don’t make it difficult for employees to access the resources and support they need. Simplify and streamline your HR processes and tools to improve efficiency and enhance the employee experience.
Take action: Technology can help automate administrative tasks and offer user-friendly access 24/7. Provide self-service tools that allow employees to choose the benefits they want most to help support work-life balance — like errand running, or travel planning. Minimizing red tape allows employees to focus on their core responsibilities and reduces frustration.
To continuously improve your employee experience strategy, it's vital to measure its impact, analyze the data, and adapt accordingly.
Take action: Leverage data-driven insights to identify areas for improvement. Use employee feedback and HR benefits and program participation data to make informed decisions and refine your employee experience strategy.
By now you should know the answer to the question: “What is workplace experience?” Companies will reap big rewards when they focus on creating a positive, supportive employee experience that prioritizes wellbeing and work-life balance, while fostering open communication, and supporting growth and developing. Want to reduce the number of employees, especially top employees, who exit your organization? Implement these ten tips and watch as your employee experience strategy drives engagement, productivity, and long-term success. Contact Circles to get started today.
