Insights from Engagedly’s State of AI in HRM, 2nd Edition Survey.
Employee engagement is a key driver for the achievement of your organization’s goals in the current dynamic business environment. Therefore, as you move towards 2024 and even the future, the organizational work environment changes at an unprecedented pace. The aftermath of global events and the rapid advancement of technology have changed how you address engagement at work.
At a certain point, you may think that the famous phrase “Happy Employees, Healthy Profits” is not just another marketing slogan but a strategy that is necessary in the world of business.
A considerable fact to mention is that there are some findings in the studies that were carried out in 2023: the organizations with the engaged workforce are more profitable by 21% on average than the organizations with the non-engaged workforce. This shocking figure is enough to make you realize that there is a need for you to be more keen when it comes to the trends in employee engagement.
In this article, you will discover eight key employee engagement trends that will define the further evolution of the work environment. These insights will assist you in creating a more effective, creative, and engaged employee in the workplace in the years to come.
Current trends in employee engagement point to the need to focus on changing towards a people-centric culture. Unlike many other models, this approach is not limited to mere benefits—it implies creating conditions under which every employee feels valued and appreciated.
Companies like Hilton or Salesforce are setting an example of how company culture can be elevated to a new level. They know that people focus not only on self-interest but also on establishing a sense of belonging and purpose. Studies reveal that 92% of HR consider empathy important for employee retention, supporting this trend.
Moreover, emotional intelligence is becoming a key factor in leadership. As a leader, when you understand and address your employees’ needs, you’re better equipped to boost engagement levels. Moving forward, continued focus on this employee-oriented approach will result in increased satisfaction and retention rates in your company.
One of the most prominent global employee engagement trends is the flexibility in work schedules. A flexible working environment transitions from having a fixed workplace to a new way of working that involves working from home, shift work, and a new concept of the four-day working week.
In the Buffer remote work report 2023, 98% of the participants asserted that they would like to work remotely, at least part of the time, for the rest of their working years. Such an overwhelming preference for flexibility underlines the need to align with your employees’ expectations and needs.
Companies that have adopted this trend are reaping benefits in their business. Research highlights that 65% of employees have enhanced productivity at home, stating that the environment is free from distractions and reduces commute stress. As we move into 2024 and beyond, offering flexibility can be seen as one of the key factors to attract and maintain outstanding performers.
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are among the latest trends in employee engagement. These technologies are changing the way you engage by offering personalized experiences and data-driven insights.
AI-powered tools are being used for various aspects of engagement, including continuous feedback systems, personalized learning programs, and predictive analytics for identifying engagement trends.
According to a Gartner survey, 76% of HR executives believe that organizations that do not embrace AI solutions within the next one to two years may fall behind in terms of organizational success.
However, it is necessary to achieve a balance. Although the application of AI can be very helpful when it comes to data analysis, the human touch is still relevant in your engagement approaches with employees. The trick is to use AI as a supplement to the interpersonal communication that takes place at the workplace.
Recent trends in employee engagement show a clear shift from traditional annual performance reviews to more frequent, ongoing feedback sessions. This approach allows for timelier course corrections and helps your employees stay aligned with organizational goals.
Continuous feedback that is given to the employees can help to improve performance, lower stress levels, and increase the level of engagement. It allows you to address issues promptly and recognize achievements in real-time. This trend is most preferred by the younger generation working in organizations as they prefer frequent communication and career development.
Implementing continuous feedback systems often improves employee performance and satisfaction. It creates a culture of open communication and continuous improvement, which are essential for high engagement.
Another emerging new trend in employee engagement is the growing importance of purpose-driven work. The young generation of employees, in particular, is becoming more selective in the choice of the organization and wants to work only for the organization that aligns with their personal values and contributes positively to society.
You can respond to this by incorporating social causes into corporate initiatives. It helps in attracting socially conscious talent and increases the level of commitment as they are working for a cause beyond mere monetary gains. People who understand that they work for a cause rather than for a paycheck are likely to be more dedicated to their companies.
This trend also applies to any social responsibility activities, including diversity and inclusion. The market value of D&I initiatives is expected to grow to about $15.4 billion by 2026, proving that such programs are more significant in developing an involved and diverse workforce.
Paying attention to an employee’s health and overall satisfaction is one of the most critical trends in global employee engagement. Wellness initiatives that address the health needs of the physical, psychological, and social aspects of the employee can be incorporated.
This trend has become even more important over the years. Employers are offering several different types of wellness programs, which may range from mental health services to fitness services and stress management services. The emphasis is on creating a work environment that supports employees’ overall well-being.
Studies have repeatedly revealed a correlation between an employee’s health and his level of motivation. Management that implements good wellness programs for its workers can be assured of higher productivity, fewer cases of truancy, and happier workers, which can benefit both the workers and the employer.
A positive company culture remains a cornerstone of effective employee engagement strategies. The latest employee engagement trends highlight the importance of culture in the acquisition and retention of top talents.
Key elements of a strong company culture include recognition programs, transparent communication practices, and inclusive policies. You should also strive to achieve the goal of creating a community feeling especially where the employees are working online or in a hybrid mode.
The flexible work arrangement that has become the norm in today’s organisations means that the creation and sustenance of a healthy company culture has become even more difficult but equally important. So, it is crucial to look for ways to maintain and develop teamwork when employees are located in different offices or even countries. Recognizing that a strong culture is crucial for high engagement levels will help you succeed in this endeavour.
Again, managers’ contributions cannot be overemphasized when it comes to engaging employees. Recent practices in employee engagement also increase the understanding of the necessity of providing managers with the tools and knowledge to positively impact their subordinates.
Hence, managers need to be trained through curricula that target aspects such as communication, emotional Intelligence, and team-building methodologies. Leaders with proper backing and orientation provide constructive criticism and recognize a staff member’s work in the process, in addition to guiding the development of a healthy workplace culture within the organization.
Moving to 2024 and beyond, the significance of managers for implementing engagement strategies is expected to increase even more. In other words, having focused on managers and their development and well-being you will have better chances of maintaining the levels of employees’ satisfaction and performance.
When planning for the future of employee engagement, what can be seen is that it is not set to become stagnant, and organizations will need to continue to be flexible and act with purpose. The directions in employee engagement highlighted in this article – from adopting flexibility and integrating AI to enhancing well-being and purpose-driven work – serve as a blueprint for you to promote employee engagement and productivity.
Suppose you remain aware of these general trends in employee engagement and keep rehearsing changes to the strategies outlined above. In that case, you can establish settings that will attract the best-performing personnel and ensure that they remain motivated throughout their careers.
Key drivers include flexible work arrangements, purpose-driven work, continuous feedback, and a focus on employee well-being.
AI is enabling personalized experiences, data-driven insights, and more efficient HR processes, leading to improved employee engagement strategies.
A people-first culture promotes trust, respect, and compassion, all of which are critical factors that can help increase employees’ engagement and, thus, their retention rate.
© 2024 Engagedly. All rights reserved.
