An employee engagement platform such as HqO’s can connect workforces and employers through features ranging from employee benefits to food and beverage options. Image courtesy of HqO

The ramifications of “The Great Resignation” are everywhere. At times, they can feel hard to escape – they’re in the news, they come up in personal conversations and are especially a point of discussion with human resources and talent recruitment teams. However, they seem more daunting than they actually are.  

The good news is there are plenty of tools at your disposal to address and combat “The Great Resignation.” Workplace and employee experience technologies, for example, are more important than ever to support the hybrid workforce and engage and attract employees. If you’re on the fence about whether this type of technology is right for you, let’s explore why you should invest. 

“The Great Resignation” at its core is all about people – those who are choosing to leave their current job behind because, for one reason or another, it no longer serves them. These jobs often overlook employee needs that go beyond a desk, computer, and compensation. 

An Employee’s Job Market 

Gallup’s recent State of the American Workplace Report confirms the market we’re all working in belongs to the employee. It’s up to companies and managers to provide value in the workplace for their employees. 

So, what, exactly, do employees want?  

First, they want a focus on employee well-being. The modern employee’s needs go beyond the work-life balance debate, demanding a workplace that encompasses “better personal well-being.” This may include a focus on wellness and fitness programs, as well as changes in office policy that support these initiatives. 

They also seek to feel valued. In the same McKinsey survey, 51 percent of those polled said a lack of a sense of belonging was a factor in their resignation. Of course, salary, benefits and perks often drive employees’ decisions, but more than anything, it appears we all want to feel valued, both by our organization and our managers.  

They also hope to find a sense of purpose and belonging at work. Employees seek human-oriented experiences, and that includes in-person collaboration and communication. The office plays a pivotal role in this human connection. This includes direct colleagues, but also managers. More than half of those who recently resigned cited the lack of human interaction as their reason for leaving.  

At the same time, they say they need flexibility. The pandemic has changed the modern office and workweek. With the majority of the workforce either hybrid or fully remote, offering flexibility in the workplace is more important than ever to provide employees with environments that help them do their best work. 

And lastly, they want to be engaged. Engaged employees are happier and more productive. According to Gallup, however, only 33 percent of American employees feel engaged, leaving significant room for improvement. This could look distressing, but it’s actually an opportunity: Enhancing employee engagement can improve satisfaction with your overall workplace. 

Mobile App Fosters Connections 

Once you understand the needs of the workforce, you must then develop, maintain and adapt your plans for employee retention. This is already under way for many, with a recent HR Morning article reporting that more than 90 percent of employers plan to make employee experience a top priority in 2022. 

To implement solutions effectively, one must form a team focused on the design and delivery of the organization’s employee experience, which includes updating tools to elevate the workplace and providing employee experiences that keep them connected and happy.  

Lauren Mead

Connectivity helps foster engagement, so offer employees convenient, authentic ways to stay connected with the organization, as well as with their colleagues. Think beyond basic communication tools and consider a fully integrated platform that brings the workplace to the employee, wherever they are. This includes community forum features, employee perks and benefits, food and beverage options, digital programing and contactless workplace tools. 

The workplace is evolving, and the only way to stay connected with modern employees is through technology that is built around the people who are in the workplace every day. Fully integrated workplace experience platforms, such as industry-leading platform HqO, are the key to reaching your goals. They offer managers or administrators the ability to access real-time insights into employee behaviors and activity that enable organizations to make better-informed decisions when it comes to future investments. They also serve as talent attractors, offering seamless, convenient methods of interacting with physical work environments around the world. 

Lauren Mead is vice president of marketing at HqO.