Why employee experience matters
Have you ever checked reviews on Glassdoor before applying for a job? You’re not alone. Around 86% of job seekers research a company’s reputation before deciding to apply, and negative reviews can deter top talent. In fact, 86% of women and 67% of men refuse to work for organizations with a poor reputation.
So, how can your company stand out as a top employer? It all starts with a well-designed employee experience that makes people feel valued at every stage of their career.
What is employee experience?
Employee experience refers to every interaction an employee has with an organization—from the hiring process to their final day. A positive experience influences engagement, retention, and even customer satisfaction. Employees who love their workplace become brand ambassadors, attracting top talent and delivering better service. Studies show that 92% of employees would consider leaving their current job for a company with a strong reputation.
A great employee experience affects all stages of the employee lifecycle. It starts with making candidates feel welcome during recruitment, ensuring new hires receive a seamless onboarding experience, and maintaining an engaging work environment that fosters long-term commitment.
The benefits of an exceptional employee experience
Boosts employee engagement
Engaged employees are not just satisfied—they are enthusiastic about their work and consistently perform at their best. Bain research shows that highly engaged employees are 44% more productive than their less-engaged peers. Companies with engaged employees also see an 89% increase in customer satisfaction, which directly translates into higher profits. In fact, organizations with above-average engagement outperform their competitors financially by 73%.
Improves retention
Retaining employees is one of the biggest challenges businesses face today. Over 52% of employees plan to look for a new job in the next year, compared to just 35% in previous years. The financial impact of turnover is staggering, with U.S. companies projected to lose $430 billion annually by 2030 due to talent shortages.
A well-crafted employee experience helps organizations retain talent by fostering positive relationships between employees, managers, and peers. When employees feel valued and supported, they are more likely to stay committed to their organization.
Strengthens organizational culture
According to Deloitte’s Human Capital Trends Survey, 45% of executives consider improving company culture a top priority. Culture shapes how employees interact, collaborate, and feel about their work environment. When culture aligns with employees’ values and expectations, it leads to a more motivated workforce and higher performance. Simply put, a strong employee experience naturally strengthens a company’s culture, making it a place where people thrive.
How to improve employee experience
Make recognition part of daily work life
Being acknowledged for a job well done is a powerful motivator. Recognition boosts confidence and reinforces positive behaviors. In fact, employee recognition is the #1 driver of engagement. When employees receive frequent recognition, they feel more connected to their organization and motivated to excel.
An effective way to integrate recognition into your workplace is through a digital recognition and rewards platform. Modern recognition platforms enable employees to send and receive appreciation messages in real-time, creating an engaging and interactive experience. Features like social recognition, comments, and reward points allow employees to celebrate each other’s successes instantly.
Listen to employees and take action
Many organizations rely on annual employee surveys to gather feedback. However, these surveys often fail because they collect outdated data and lack follow-through. Employees who see no action taken on their feedback are less likely to engage in future surveys, leading to declining morale and productivity.
Organizations should implement real-time feedback systems to track employee sentiment continuously. Pulse surveys—brief questionnaires focusing on specific topics like workload and leadership—help companies quickly identify workplace challenges. Always-on feedback channels, such as AI-powered HR chatbots, also allow employees to voice concerns anonymously at any time.
Listening isn’t enough—leaders must act on feedback promptly. The best engagement platforms provide analytics that help managers interpret employee sentiment and take meaningful action. Companies that successfully act on feedback build trust and encourage employees to contribute to positive cultural change.
Foster psychological safety and belonging
A workplace where employees feel safe to express their ideas, ask questions, and provide honest feedback fosters innovation and collaboration. Psychological safety ensures employees can take risks and communicate openly without fear of negative consequences.
To build a culture of trust, leaders should encourage open dialogue and demonstrate active listening. Training managers to act as coaches rather than enforcers helps create a supportive work environment. Additionally, prioritizing diversity and inclusion initiatives fosters a culture where every employee feels valued and empowered to contribute.
Support employee wellness and prevent burnout
Employee wellness is critical to maintaining a high-performing workforce. When employees experience chronic stress and burnout, their productivity and job satisfaction decline. Companies must prioritize physical and mental well-being to maintain a healthy workforce.
Supporting wellness can take many forms, from promoting healthy eating and fitness programs to encouraging regular breaks and flexible work schedules. Organizations can also integrate wellness initiatives into recognition programs, rewarding employees for participating in health challenges or achieving wellness goals.
Providing access to mental health resources, mindfulness training, and stress management programs helps employees build resilience and maintain work-life balance. By demonstrating a commitment to employee well-being, organizations create an environment where employees can thrive.
Transform your employee experience
A well-designed employee experience is the foundation of long-term business success. From attracting top talent to driving engagement and retention, investing in employees pays off in every aspect of an organization.
To make an immediate impact, consider leveraging a dedicated employee experience platform. Achievers offers tools designed to enhance employee recognition and engagement. Achievers Recognize provides seamless social and monetary recognition, while Achievers Listen delivers real-time feedback insights through AI-powered surveys. These solutions help organizations create a workplace where employees feel valued, heard, and motivated to succeed.
By focusing on employee experience, businesses can unlock their workforce’s full potential and build a culture that fosters innovation, collaboration, and long-term success.
