6 ways to create an employee-centric workplace
Jul 10, 2024
A cascade of recent changes in the workforce are keeping employees in the center of modern businesses people strategies. Why? Demographic changes, shifts in generational makeup and a higher demand for strong diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies and practices in the workplace have dictated it. And organizational leads are responding proactively by prioritizing employees’ needs and preferences within their policies and strategies and effectively shaping workplaces that thrive.
Here are six areas ways to prioritize employees and create workplace experiences that attract and retain top talent.
Younger generations place a higher value on workplace diversity and inclusion. Millennials are more likely to prioritize diversity and inclusion when considering job opportunities, according to Deloitte research. This illustrates the need not only to have strong DEI strategies but to make DEI part of your organizational culture and include that in your talent acquisition practices.
Belonging — that is, feeling cared for at work and being comfortable to ask questions and express concerns — benefits organizations as much as it benefits employees. Sodexo research* found only 66% of employees feel a sense of belonging in their workplace community. Deloitte research found that 93% of organizations surveyed agree that a sense of belonging drives organizational performance. Boston Consulting Group found employees who feel like they could be their authentic selves at work are happier, more motivated and 2.4 times less likely to quit. This data is not new, nor surprising. In 2019 Harvard Business Review reported that organizations with high levels of belonging saw a 56% increase in job performance, 50% drop in turnover risk, and 75% reduction in sick days. This data validates that belonging in the workplace can lead to substantial cost savings — and potentially higher profits, too.
Work-life balance is the most valued element of company culture by a wide margin for both employees and employers. 51% of employees and 47% of employers named work-life balance as the top priority in company culture, according to Forbes research.
Policies and practices that support work-life balance are an essential element of organizational culture. Companies are partnering with organizations to improve the employee experience by providing lifestyle coordinators that help employees take personal daily tasks and errands off their plates. When employee support becomes enterprise wide, employee morale and satisfaction get a major boost. So, work-life balance is now a cornerstone of culture.
In a recent blog we talk about the importance of providing workplaces where employees feel valued, comfortable and productive. More than a quarter (28%) of employees’ rank having a comfortable workplace in their top three reasons for visiting their office. An environment that provides many of the same comforts employees have in their remote offices, all within one physical location, is conducive to building community, promoting collaboration and fostering high performance levels.
By taking a cue from the hotel industry and treating employees and clients alike as valued guests, employers can enhance the in-office experience. Learn more about ‘workplace hospitality’ in our eBook: The Complete Guide to Workplace Hospitality.
In many ways, we see that culture IS the workplace. This is especially true in organizations with remote and hybrid work, where employees don’t necessarily share a physical place. As a result, creating a positive work culture demands more thoughtful attention and intentional action from organizational leadership.
If the importance of culture is still in doubt, consider this: 9 out of 10 people say they are willing to make less money if they can do more meaningful work, according to the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) research. In one survey after another, employees consistently say work culture is more important than money and that culture influences decisions about where to apply. These data points illustrate how closely culture is linked with employee retention, talent attraction, and recruiting ROI.
At the height of the pandemic and since, employees consistently report that isolation and feelings of loneliness are contributing factors to mental health challenges. According to the American Psychological Association’s 2023 Work in America Survey, more than one quarter of all employees still report intense feelings of social disconnection or isolation from colleagues in the workplace. Creating a workplace that provides proactive opportunities and resources to build social connections will lead to a thriving culture and high levels of employee satisfaction.
In our guide Creating the Workplace of the Future, we explore how social connection fuels a future-ready workplace and builds a healthy culture.
The increasingly younger and more diverse workforce is demanding a healthier work-life balance and workplaces that support their well-being. Putting these practical steps into action, with more emphasis on leadership’s intentional efforts, will cultivate a thriving, employee-centric culture.
