In today's era, where there are more options for flexible work arrangements and a wider pool of potential employers, it's more challenging than ever for businesses to keep their best talent engaged and loyal. That's especially with 20% of remote employees saying they lack a sense of belonging and sometimes feel lonely.
That's precisely where the role of workplace experience comes in. In this day and age, the workplace experience is just as important as the work itself. Here's what you need to know.
Workplace experience is the sum total of everything that contributes to an employee's experience at work, from the physical environment to company culture and everything in between.
When it really comes down to it, workplace experience consists of three key elements: space, technology, and people:
Ideally, these three elements would work together in harmony to create a workplace experience conducive to productivity, engagement, and satisfaction while simultaneously supporting businesses in meeting their goals.
Even if your employees aren't physically coming into the office, they still interact with your company in some form. Whether they're logging into a work chat to ask a question or reading an email from their manager, the workplace experience is still a crucial part of how they interact with your business. Here’s why it matters.
Earlier this year, 63% of employees said they feel empowered when they have the flexibility to choose when and where they work. But what is that flexibility if the workplace environment itself isn't accommodating?
A great workplace experience sets the stage for a positive employee experience by giving employees the tools and resources they need to be productive, no matter where they're working.
For instance, you could invest in a workplace experience app (like Tribeloo) that enables employees to book a desk when they know they'll be working from the office or book meeting rooms for impromptu collaboration sessions.
When you invest in initiatives that make the workplace more accommodating, you're making your employees' lives easier and sending a clear message that you value their time and productivity, improving the employee experience overall.
It's no secret that happy employees are more productive employees–studies have shown that happy employees are 13% more productive than their unhappy counterparts.
Unfortunately, employees in 2022 are becoming increasingly unengaged, with 17% being actively disengaged – and most of them are full-time, on-site workers. That says a lot about the state of the workplace experience.
When employees are disengaged, it leads to all sorts of problems, from decreased productivity to increased absenteeism and turnover. In fact, actively disengaged employees cost businesses an estimated $450-$550 billion annually in lost productivity.
On the other hand, engaged employees are more productive, more likely to stay with the company, and less likely to call in sick. So, by improving the workplace experience, you're not only making your employees happier but also directly impacting your bottom line by driving business results.
If you're like most businesses, you're always looking for ways to save on office space. After all, commercial real estate is one of the biggest expenses for any business. And with the rise of remote work, more and more businesses are starting to question whether they need to maintain a physical office at all.
Interestingly, the workplace experience can actually help you save on office space. How? By allowing employees to book desks and meeting rooms when needed, you can make your office more flexible and adaptable to the ever-changing landscape of work.
Instead of having a desk for every employee, regardless of whether or not they're using it, you can have a smaller number of desks that are utilized more efficiently. And instead of dedicating an entire room to meetings that only happen once or twice a week, you can have meeting rooms that employees can book on an as-needed basis.
In other words, by investing in the workplace experience, you're making your office more agile and adaptable, which can help you save between 12-20% on office space in the long run. And at the same time, you'll be caring for the health and safety of your employees by ensuring that the office isn't overcrowded, especially since 87% of employees say health and safety is their top concern when returning to the office.
Your company's brand is more than just your logo. It's the sum total of your employees' experiences, both inside and outside of work. And as we all know, word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool. In fact, 92% of consumers say they trust recommendations from friends and family over any other form of advertising.
When you have a strong workplace brand, it leads to better recruiting and retention outcomes. More specifically, 84% of job seekers say that a company's reputation is a major factor in their decision to apply for a job, while 92% of people would consider changing jobs if offered a role with a company with an excellent corporate reputation.
So, to attract and retain the best talent, you must ensure your workplace experience is up to par. Not only will it help you improve your company's brand image, but it will also lead to better recruiting and retention outcomes in the long run.
Finally, one of the best things about having a good workplace experience is that it creates camaraderie and collaboration. When employees feel like they're part of a community, they're more likely to work together towards common goals. And when employees feel supported by their company, they're more likely to go above and beyond to help the business succeed.
Therefore, by improving the workplace experience, you're not only making your employees happier but also fostering a more collaborative and productive environment. And that's something that any business can benefit from.
Whether you want your employees to be happier, your company to be more future-ready, or your brand to be more attractive to job seekers, investing in workplace experience is a smart move. It's an essential part of creating a thriving business in the modern world.
If you're ready to invest in the future of your business, contact us today to learn more about how Tribeloo, a workplace experience app, can empower you to create a world-class workplace experience for your employees.
