The DNA of workforce management has mutated. And companies need to tailor their HR processes according to it. Many of them have done a commendable job post covid outbreak, but the rapidly evolving business paradigms urge organizations to keep moving.
Employee well-being and satisfaction have become the top keywords as companies are focusing more on the ‘human’ part of their workers. Not just that, organizations are increasingly realizing how advantageous an engaged and motivated employee can be.
As businesses are disrupting, human experience principles are playing all the more importance as it can drive sustainable changes across all levels. Hence, taking the extra mile to give undivided attention to employee experience is crucial as is making them feel “at home” in the workplace.
In this article, we talk about the ways to enhance employee experience that can help your company survive the covid era and beyond.
1) Don’t just look out, reach out to employees:
Organizations need to realize that their employees need help now. At the moment. They aren’t going to tell you all the issues they are facing in the company. And as a leader, it is your job to find this problem and solve it to ensure you don’t lose the chance at attaining an engaged staff. Help could be in the form of a salary hike, fight dissolution, better technology or even as small as a conversation with them. You will be surprised at how little things will massively impact your employee.
2) Encourage ‘trustworthy leadership’:
Employees often keep their issues to themselves because of office politics and favouritism. Make sure you create and a reap a leadership team that doesn’t give any space for bias. Build a company culture where employees can freely convey their problems or ideas with atleast one of the leaders without the free of being judged or unheard.
3) Conversations can do the trick:
Experiences get enhanced when a person is engaged enough. To do that, it is important for the managers to remain on the same page as the employee to know where they stand and what can be done to get further. Regular one on one meetings with direct supervisors or managers can aid in this.
4) Conduct regular surveys:
Not every person is an extrovert. We get it. Similarly, not many people actually voice their problems, especially to their managers or direct reports. This is where surveys come in. Your previous data holds no value now as the business models have turned 180 degrees, calling for a new set of data to create better strategies. Companies can also adopt the strategy of 360 Degree Feedback to understand employees better. Click for more info. You can also try offering anonymity to your employees in case they feel anxious about letting their issues become public.
5) Prioritize well-being activities:
If the pandemic has taught us anything, then it is to keep physical and mental health above everything else. Coming back to the office after 18 months of working from home can be exhaustive for many. More than making this comeback phased, make sure employees return with a calm mind and a healthy body. You can offer mental health relaxation sessions or gym coupons to workers as a start. Yoga classes in the office itself can be both fun and calming too.
6) Make them feel at home:
According to a survey by Mckinsey, 80% of employees feel more engaged when working remotely. Hence, their return to the office will rob them of the comfort and ease that they were previously experiencing. Small acts like stocking supplies of health food in the office cafeteria, team lunches, better technology, a more comforting and fun desk or cabin space can prove to be highly beneficial.
Majority of the times, the problem doesn’t lie with the employee, it lies in their management. To ensure a great employee experience, you have to understand your employees first. Talk to them. Your employees will tell you what they want. Just listen and act accordingly.
