7 Ways to Improve Employee Experience

You’re here because you want to improve the experience of your employees and you might be feeling a bit stuck with where to begin. Maybe you’re a new manager and you want to help your team feel more connected. Perhaps you’re a small business with an even smaller budget. Or it could be that you’re an HR professional at a remote-first company looking for ways to unite your team.

Either way, it’s clear that you care about your team and want to take their experience from good to great. You’re the kind of leader that understands that employees are people too.

The good news is, we’re here to help! Let’s talk about what makes an amazing experience your employees will talk about (and remember) for a long time.

So what can you do now?

When it comes to employee satisfaction and experience, there’s a long list of things that make a difference. But, some are more important and have a greater impact than others.

We’ve narrowed the list down to seven easy action items that we know will make the most significant difference for your team.

1. Give your employees a voice.

The best way to create an experience your people want is to hear from them about what is going well and what needs some improvement in your organization. Not only can you make informed decisions to improve their work life, but you can also get early indicators for preventable turnover and metaphorical fires. It’s a win-win for both your employees and your business.

2. Encourage open communication at all levels.

Siloed communication channels have never done any good. Employees want to feel seen and heard by more than just their peers. Encourage open dialogues between employees and executives alike. And, when employees do have the courage to have a conversation, treat them with respect, validate their opinions, and build the foundation for a relationship of trust.

3. Create opportunities for learning and progression.

A crucial part of a great experience is providing a path for growth. No employee wants to stay in the same position forever. They’re probably looking for ways to level up or make it to that next promotion. Take time to understand their career goals and create a personalized plan to help them hit all the important learning milestones they need to progress in their careers. They’ll thank you for it.

4. Develop managers into better leaders.

It’s not enough to just manage. Especially when the manager in question isn’t very effective. And because 70% of the variance in an employee’s experience is tied to management, it’s important to take it seriously. Help your managers develop the right habits to focus on their people and make the biggest impact. You’ll be impressed by what they can do when you give them the tools they need to be successful.

5. Build a community of connection.

One of the greatest indicators of employee sentiment is whether or not your people have a friend at work. And it makes sense. Would you want to come to work or spend 8 hours a day with people you don’t know or feel connected to? Encourage employees to make connections with their peers through things like interest groups, company activities, and more. (Also, don’t taboo chatting or hanging out at work. That’s often when the friendships start to form!)

6. Prioritize cultural onboarding.

When you think of onboarding, you probably think of passwords, new computers, benefits elections, and more. But it doesn’t stop there. Cultural onboarding is an essential part of kicking the employee experience off on the right foot. Help your new team members get to know their coworkers, become familiar with company values, and much more to make their experience a great one.

7. Make recognition the expectation, not the exception.

Everyone wants to be appreciated for their hard work. And when you save recognition and appreciation for a single MVP award once a quarter, you’re missing out on every other employee that put time and effort into helping your business grow. Make frequent recognition a daily ritual, and in return, you’ll see more grateful and productive employees willing to do what it takes to see success.

All in all, creating a great employee experience takes time and effort, but the benefits are well worth it. By investing in your team's well-being and growth, you can create a workplace that attracts and retains top talent, boosts productivity, and ultimately contributes to your company's success.

Cultivating a great employee experience can be achieved! It’ll take a little practice, and if you’re in need of further guidance, contact us at Motivosity, we’re here to help every step of the way.