In today’s dynamic work environment, employee satisfaction and engagement are crucial elements for the success of any organization. Engaged employees not only perform their jobs effectively but also serve as enthusiastic ambassadors of the company’s culture and values. Therefore, to foster this engagement, it’s essential to provide employees with the right tools and conditions in their daily work.
In this article, we will explore the seven essentials that every employee needs to feel engaged, motivated, and satisfied in their daily work, based on various studies and market trends. Let’s get started!
1. Beyond an old laptop
The adoption of new technologies is essential for creating more engaging employee experiences. Increasingly, organizations are integrating digital solutions based on artificial intelligence (AI), tools like chatbots, customized mobile applications, or internal communication platforms, among many others. All of this is aimed at facilitating communication, streamlining internal processes, and providing easy access to relevant information.
Numerous studies support the importance of adopting these technologies. For example, according to a technology solutions study conducted by Gartner in 2023, 76% of HR executives believe that organizations that do not integrate solutions like AI in the next 1 or 2 years risk falling behind.
Other studies demonstrate that these types of tools significantly increase productivity, employee connection and collaboration, and efficiency in daily work.
2. Well-being, a benefit that is no longer “additional”
According to a global study conducted by Gallup in 2023, 9% of employees are in a state of suffering, while 56% are stressed and have a negative outlook on their future. However, these percentages have been decreasing over the years, with 2023 showing the lowest indicators.
It’s clear that employee well-being has ceased to be an additional benefit to become a necessary element within companies, and they are implementing all kinds of initiatives to address it.
Studies show that a work environment that prioritizes the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of employees fosters productivity, reduces stress, and boosts team moral. All of this benefits both employees individually and the business, making it more prosperous and sustainable.
To achieve this, companies must establish initiatives such as creating a climate of psychological safety, devising policies to counteract stress, implementing programs that promote physical activity, mental health, and a balance between work and personal life, among many others.
An interesting case is that of LinkedIn, which implements measures to encourage mobility within its team.
For example, they offer height-adjustable desks to allow both standing and sitting work, conduct walking meetings, and strategically place printers so that employees have to get up and walk to use them.
Furthermore, it’s worth highlighting the case of Buffer, a software company with an unlimited Well-being Days policy. Instead of allocating a fixed number of vacation days, Buffer allows its employees to take as many days off as they need to recharge and take care of themselves. Additionally, the company organizes annual retreats in different locations, where employees can optionally participate, thus promoting a healthy and collaborative work environment.
3. Upskilling, a culture of continuous learning
The rapid evolution of industries and technologies demands that employees are constantly updating their skills. Employees expect companies to promote a culture of continuous learning, offering personalized development and training opportunities so they can acquire new skills or improve existing ones to stay current in their current roles.
To carry out this essential task, it’s fundamental to have various tools and resources, such as online learning platforms, mentorship programs, gamification, and the creation of internal knowledge communities.
A different example would be Tesla, which has developed its own Tesla START program. This program is designed to recruit, train, and employ certified service technicians to work in Tesla service centers.
Once these technicians graduate from the program, they have the opportunity to obtain official Tesla certifications and may also be hired directly by the company.
4. A shared company purpose
The purpose of a company goes beyond simply making economic profits; it seeks to inspire and align all employees toward a common goal. When employees share and commit to this purpose, it fosters a sense of belonging and collaboration within the company. Several studies demonstrate that this can lead to an increase in motivation and job satisfaction, as well as greater loyalty to the company and additional effort to achieve organizational goals.
Examples of companies with well-defined purposes include 3M: Solving unsolved problems innovatively; Hewlett-Packard: Making technical contributions to the progress and welfare of humanity; and Patagonia: Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis, among others.
Furthermore, this sense of shared purpose is essential for all employees, but especially for the millennial generation and Generation Z, who are most likely to need a sense of belonging to the company.
To delve deeper into the needs and preferences of employees from these new generations, click on this article.
5. The employee voice, now more important than ever
It’s widely recognized that being heard in the workplace is essential. When employees feel that their voices are truly valued and considered by the company, they often experience a significant increase in their commitment and motivation. Being heard gives them a sense of respect and recognition, allowing them to contribute more significantly to the organization’s success. Additionally, by having the opportunity to express their ideas, concerns, and suggestions, employees feel more empowered and committed to their work and the company’s goals. Therefore, all of this can promote a more positive and productive work environment where everyone can thrive.
Moreover, there are various tools to promote active listening in the workplace. These include regular participation surveys, openness to anonymous opinions, and the availability of internal channels.
A good example is Thank God It’s Friday, a program at Google where employees meet weekly with leaders to raise concerns and share ideas on any aspect related to the company. Another example from the same company is Googlegeist, an annual global survey that allows employees to express their opinions about the culture and work environment at Google.
6. Beyond salary
Today, it’s known that the workplace experience can be considered just as important as the salary offered. Although economic compensation remains relevant, it’s no longer the decisive factor it once was in previous times. Therefore, another essential aspect in employees’ daily lives focuses on additional benefits. These refer to non-monetary rewards that employees can receive in addition to their salary, with the aim of motivating them and creating an ideal work environment.
This approach can include a variety of elements, such as personalized professional development opportunities, wellness programs (such as gym memberships, yoga classes, and mental health counseling), retirement plans, among others.
A company that stands out for offering a wide range of additional benefits is Netflix.
Through its FlexChoice initiative, employees receive a series of benefits tailored to their preferences, and they themselves can select the option that best suits their needs.
For example, personalized health insurance plans, childcare options, subsidies for bicycle purchases, discounts on electronic devices, among others.
To delve deeper into other additional employee benefits such as recognition, click on this article.
7. Cultivating a truly diverse work environment
2024 stands out as a crucial year for addressing the lack of inclusion and gender diversity in some companies.
According to a McKinsey report, companies that prioritize gender diversity in leadership are 25% more likely to achieve above-average profitability.
Similarly, another report like the Global Industry Report on the Impact of Employee Engagement in Driving Diversity and Inclusion states that organizations that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion have 3.2 times more engaged employees compared to those that do not.
Therefore, to improve diversity and inclusion, several actions can be taken, such as considering the D&I (Diversity and Inclusion) index, communicating the D&I agenda to the entire organization, and leading by example by supporting gender equality in leadership roles.
Among the organizations recognized for their great diversity is General Motors, which has achieved approximately 50% of senior executives who are women. On the other hand, IKEA stands out with its global LGBTQ+ inclusion plan, ensuring that the company is a workplace and environment that welcomes people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Additionally, they belong to Open for Business, a business coalition to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion in global society.
In summary, employee engagement in 2024 will depend largely on the adoption of technologies, well-being as something essential, the drive towards a diverse and continuously learning culture, active employee participation, and the additional benefits they receive.
Therefore, organizations that adopt these essentials will be better positioned to attract, retain, and empower their talent in an ever-changing work environment.
