Organizations these days are shifting from their standard approach for employee engagement once was limited to annual feedback forms and meetings to an integrated employee experience. Several companies have already made “employee experience” an ongoing process, and have been elevating it at every touchpoint. So, what are the key elements that the HR team in an organization should consider to create the best employee experience? Here, the article will further discuss some of the best practices that companies can adopt to retain their employees with utmost satisfaction. 

As per one of the surveys, an average person spends 90,000 hours at work over a lifetime, which means 1/3 of employees’ lives are spent on office work. Given that, organizations have to take the right approach to keep their most valuable employees motivated throughout their tenure. Employees become a part of an organization from the time they are onboarded. Their routine work, performance, growth opportunities, and everything associated with them influence the company’s growth, and therefore the HR team must create the best employee experience. The HR team has to put every block in place to build a strong workforce that synchronizes well with the company culture; they need to draft various policies and use HR tools to optimize employee engagement. Right through onboarding the employees till their exit; every organization should ensure that employees share a strong bond with the organization throughout the journey. 

Core components of employee experience 

• Clarity on organization goals 

• Positive work environment 

• Growth opportunity (Supports on-demand and self-guided training material) 

• Rewards and recognition 

• Agile team and co-workers 

• Personal fitness and wellness 

• Transparency in work 

• Work control and flexibility 

Things that Companies Should Avoid with a View to Deliver Exceptional Employee Experience 

• Lack of visibility on employees’ expectations: Without clarity over the employee’s expectations, it would be difficult to enhance their experience. Most organizations end up with a one-size-fits-all EX (employee experience) model and thus fail in improving the employee experience. 

• Not prioritizing the employee experience: Many organizations still follow the traditional work policies and do not believe in the concept of integrated employee experience. 

• Lack of resources: Sometimes the HR does not have enough budget or resources to enhance customer experience. They do not invest in tools that can increase the employee’s productivity. 

• Communication gap: Open communication is critical for delivering the best employee experience, but some organizations do not propagate two-way communication. It makes employees unheard and disengaged from the tasks. Working out loud is the latest trend that encourages employees to communicate, learn and perform.

Ways to Create the Best Employee Experience Possible 

• Company culture: Company culture can make a huge difference in employee output. From employee onboarding to exit, organizations that practice positive work culture can connect better with their employees. 

• Assign senior leaders: Senior leaders are well acquainted with the workplace, and they can contribute actively in enhancing the employee’s experience. HR managers can work along with senior leaders or C-suite to design various programs to improve the work experience. Senior leaders or managers can even communicate with team members to list out their expectations. Based on employees’ expectations, they can work with the HR team to create leadership development programs, employee reward programs, performance rating programs, etc. 

• Map employee’s persona: Different employees in an organization have different needs; to address those differences “employees persona” can be a useful tool. Employees’ persona gives details beyond their basic information like their preferences for tools, working style, passion, etc. These data could be critical for enhancing the employee’s experience. 

• Elevate work environment: Physical environment of the office has an immense effect on employees’ work. Employees that spend 7-8 hours every day in the office should be comfortable and pleasant. The office place should be well lit, ventilated, and clean. Besides that, all the amenities that are used to complete their tasks should be fully functional such as internet, printer, computers, etc. 

• Team-building activities: Strong bond between team members is essential when it comes to companies handling complex projects. Team members do have different mindsets, and to reduce the conflict between team members, it is essential they know each other well. Team building activities can help them to eliminate their differences. Business enterprises can conduct team-building activities like open discussions on random topics, brainstorming sessions, screen a short movie, etc. 

• Listen to your employees: Understanding issues from employees’ perspectives is essential for organizations to simplify the business process and increase productivity. 

• Inspect workplaces: The HR team can inspect workplaces regularly to find that everything is under order and employees are equipped with all the facilities required to execute the tasks. Remove all the outdated or dangerous equipment from the workstation. They can even hold one-to-one sessions monthly or quarterly to see how they are coping with their tasks. Look for suggestions or ideas that further improve the employee engagement level.   

• Enhance internal communication: Communication is directly related to the employee’s productivity. Today’s dynamic work culture demands both synchronous and asynchronous communication. If an organization wants to increase the employee engagement level, it is imperative that they facilitate smooth communication. They can use various messaging apps or live chat software to enhance internal communication. 

• Training programs: A skilled employee can enjoy their work as they can carry out their tasks effortlessly. The HR team can classify employees based on skills and evaluate what other skills can make them more productive. Once they identify the areas of improvement, they can push training programs and tutorials to enhance their skills. It makes an employee feel valued and prepares them for future responsibilities. 

• Flexible work hours: In the digital era, geographic boundaries are no more a restriction for employees. Organizations can attract the best talent around the globe and accelerate their growth. The HR team can offer flexible work hours to remote workers and engage them with work from anywhere. 

• Implement new technologies: Workplaces are rapidly evolving on the verge of the digital revolution, and employees can easily feel disconnected if they are not equipped with the latest technology to perform their tasks. The HR team should remain vigilant on the latest technology such as automation tools that increase employees’ efficiency and productivity. 

• Measure: Measure the employee experience using analytical tools to identify bottlenecks and improve the employee experience. 

Conclusion

Businesses are evolving at lightning speed, and there is a high demand for talented professionals to meet organization goals. To sustain in a competitive world, business organizations have to nurture their talent pool and create a work environment that enhances their efficiency. An integrated employee experience can prove to be an important element in building a long-term partnership with employees and optimizing their productivity. Realizing the significance of employee experience in the modern world, the HR team should update their – policies, strategies, and invest in tools to deliver the best employee experience possible.