EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE

Employee experience refers to the overall perception and feelings that an employee has about their job, their organization, and their work environment. It encompasses all aspects of the employee’s work life, including the physical environment, the culture, the management style, and the opportunities for growth and development. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of employee experience and how it can be improved.

There are many reasons why employee experience is important. Research has shown that employees who have a positive experience at work are more engaged, more productive, and more likely to stay with their organization. They are also more likely to have a positive impact on customer satisfaction and loyalty. On the other hand, employees who have a negative experience at work are more likely to be disengaged, less productive, and more likely to leave.

In its State of the Global Workplace report, Gallup concludes that 20% of employees are engaged at work. Gallup reports that since it started reporting employee engagement, the highest percentage of engaged employees it has recorded in the US is 36%, in 2021. According to data collected by Kincentric from its clients from the second half of 2019 to the first quarter of 2020, the highest employee engagement levels are in Latin America, at 74%. The Harvard Business Review Analytic Services surveyed more than 500 business executives, and 71% of the respondents ranked the employee engagement as very important to achieving overall business success. This implies, that businesses that have engaged employees are likely to have a competitive advantage. They are also more profitable.

So, how can organizations improve employee experience and engagement? There are many factors that contribute to employee experience, and what works for one organization may not work for another. However, there are a few general strategies that can be effective:

Focus on the physical work environment. A comfortable and well-designed work environment can have a big impact on employee experience. This includes things like lighting, temperature, ergonomics, and access to natural light and outdoor space.

Foster a positive company culture. Culture is the shared values, beliefs, and behaviors that define an organization. A positive culture that values diversity, inclusion, and collaboration can improve employee experience and engagement.

Provide opportunities for growth and development. Employees want to feel like they are learning and growing in their careers. By providing opportunities for training and development, organizations can improve employee experience and retention.

Foster open and effective communication. Employees want to feel like their voice is heard and that their ideas are valued. By fostering open and effective communication, organizations can improve employee experience and engagement.

Improving employee experience is a complex and ongoing process, but it is worth the effort. By focusing on the physical work environment, culture, growth and development opportunities, and communication, organizations can create a positive employee experience and thus a much higher employee engagement that benefits all key stakeholder the employees, the customers and the organization as a whole.

Employee engagement results in employees who are more committed to their jobs, will do their best even when the manager is not watching, and are willing to go the extra mile. This is why “Kruse” proposes that engaged employees lead to better business outcomes.

The positive results of high employee engagement are supported by results from several other studies and surveys from reputable organizations, such as the Harvard Business Review and the American analytics and advisory company Gallup.