Key Trends Shaping the Future of Employee Experience in 2022

Emerging employee experience challenges in the latest version of ‘normal’

When the pandemic struck in 2020, the corporate world globally encountered an unforeseen challenge. With that, HR leaders started building a roadmap to keep the workforce motivated and engaged.

Nearly two years later, as a fully vaccinated workforce is all set to return to their workplaces in a hybrid environment, employers and management are now tasked with preparing for the emerging employee experience challenges in the latest version of ‘normal’. Here are some trends that will continue to shape employee experience in 2022.

Need to Redefine Employee Visibility

Whether it’s for your brand or for your staff, visibility is crucial. They want to be recognized and praised for their abilities and contributions to the company. Maintaining employee visibility became a concern as the world switched to remote working and employee face time with their managers went digital. However, with the workforce returning to a hybrid setup, organizations will have to evolve and understand the needs of a dispersed workforce. To boost employee engagement and performance, managers must take steps to support a high-performing team founded on mutual trust.

People and Purpose will be Drivers of Office Culture

Your organization culture is what connects everyone who works at your firm and defines what it’s like to work there. It has a significant influence on your employees’ experience as well as their productivity. An inclusive and diverse workplace culture is what makes people feel accepted and connected with the organization, and employees who feel connected are more likely to stay engaged and have a positive experience.

Employee Well-being Remains Critical for Business

The lines between personal and professional life have become blurry as people continue to work in a remote/ hybrid environment. Since the pandemic began, employees have been putting in extra hours, resulting in work-induced burnout. While office technology improved employee collaboration, it sometimes got in the way of people taking much-needed breaks. With longer work hours and blurring barriers between work and personal life, leaders must continue to focus their efforts on employee health and well-being.

Employee Experiences Would Continue to be More Personalized

The age-old ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to delivering employee experience does not make the cut in the new work environment and is no longer effective. Employees have varied expectations. Hence, it is important to have engagement strategies tailored to each employee to create positive experiences for everyone. The hybrid/ remote work models, coupled with technology, offer employers as well as employees options to customize their experiences according to their needs and preferences. Whether it is about employee reward programs or work schedules, the future lies in the personalization of experiences, and the ability to do so creates a positive work environment.

Persistence of the ‘Great Resignation’ Globally

Now that worldwide economies are opening up after the aftermath of the pandemic, studies suggest that certain employees might be readying to move on to newer opportunities. As predicted by Professor Anthony Klotz, employers might continue to deal with the ripple effects of the pandemic as employees re-evaluate their careers and priorities. The new generation of employees is looking beyond salaries. They wish to work with organizations that offer differentiated employee benefits, a positive work environment and align with their purpose and values.

As we return to a workplace that is somewhat ‘normal’, it is the responsibility of employers to reinforce employee relationships and work towards creating an environment where employees feel safe and appreciated. By focusing on the need to deliver the right employee experience in the new workplace, organizations can successfully create an effective hybrid work model.

[author title=”Harish Sarma, VP Marketing, Sodexo BRS India” image=”http://”][/author]