14 Employee Engagement Trends for 2024
It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change.
~ Charles Darwin
Darwin might not have quoted the above line concerning business, but his words seem to echo in the business world, now more than ever. And managing people is no exception.
Employee engagement is a very abstract concept. It is the “emotional connect” that an employee feels towards its organization. What makes one feel connected to an organization and motivates to deliver her/his best varies from person to person. It also changes with what is happening in and around the world.
We live in a world where trends change in the blink of an eye. A practice that is working fine today might not be applicable tomorrow. The same goes for employee engagement.
With every new generation in the workforce, employee engagement trends change drastically. Forward-thinking business leaders and managers must keep themselves updated on these engagement strategies.
Listen to our podcast: Developing and Sustaining Employee Engagement.
14 Employee Engagement Trends for 2024
Ghosting traditional tactics, leaders? Well 2023 just RSVP’d with 14 disruptively human engagement trends to ignite inspired workplaces. Following these will help you build a happier, productive, and engaged workforce.
1. People-first culture
In 2024 we are looking at the rise of a culture-first decade. Employee engagement, which seemed like an exciting concept at the beginning of the last decade, is now an obvious business goal. There is an urgent need to elevate company culture or risk losing top talent. Companies like Hilton, Salesforce, American Express are setting the stage for companies to implement strategies to reinvent company culture.
A people-first culture can bloom only when every individual feels cared for and respected by the people organization, starting from top-level to bottom. It is a path that every organization must venture on.
Technology will become a more significant part of the picture in building an engaged workforce.
The need of the hour is to blend our technical prowess with a compassionate approach.
92 percent of employees believe showing empathy is an important way to advance employee retention. (Businessolver)
The World is advancing digitally at an unbelievable pace. But people still inherently seek compassion, appreciation, and recognition. Elevating the “Human” part in HR will become very important in the digital age.
Emotional intelligence and technology are the most critical aspects of any business today. And if you can bring them together, it would create wonders in the corporate scenario.
Millennial employees seek a greater sense of belongingness to their organization. They want to feel valued and recognized. A good company culture coupled with compassionate leaders will offer the ultimate job satisfaction.
Hence, embrace technology by all means but do not eliminate the need to form better interpersonal bonds with them through compassionate leaders.
2. More prominence to work-life harmony
Embracing flexibility will become a highlight in the employee engagement space in 2024.
Seeking work-life balance is not a new concept, but the desire to meet it is much higher.
Most job functions don't require employees to be at work every day physically. And the new-age employees are taking full advantage of it.
Constructive policies at work such as work-from-home options, flexible office timings, remote working options only go to prove this point right.
This is, in fact, a very cost-friendly yet highly effective employee engagement trend. It is a path that companies ought to take.
75% of workers said they experience greater productivity at home. They said they encounter fewer distractions (74%), less stress from commuting (71%), and fewer office politics (65%). (FlexJob)
62% of millennials are willing to switch to the gig economy within the next 2 years. (Deloitte)
3.Cloud-Technology will continue to reign
Cloud tools will continue to make noise in the human resource management landscape.
A 2018 study from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) found that 75 percent of surveyed companies now have at least one HR process in the cloud.
Technology has already emerged in every facet of human resource management. Technology has been integrated into Employee benefits platforms, employee recognition tools, performance management tools, to survey tools. It has made it easier for organizations to deliver better and quicker results.
These tools are a win-win proposition to both employers and employees. The current generation is the generation of digital nomads, and the best way of engaging employees remotely is by leveraging HR technology.
Cloud products have already made their place due to their efficiency and user-friendliness. More and more companies will move into this space in masses.
Investing in the right engagement tools will become crucial for companies in 2024.
4. Influx of AI and ML
In the past few years, we have seen efficient and sophisticated HR tools making their way to people management. The trend will only rise further by the massive inundation of ML and AI in the workplace.
Many tech-forward organizations have already started using AI and ML in various work functions and receive a good return on their investment. They have been quite successful so far.
AI is boosting robust communication and personalized actions in the workplace. For instance, some companies are now starting to use text to speech technology to produce job role specific personalised employee communications. HR departments can make more informed, analytics-driven, and logical decisions. The data is also helping managers understand the drivers of employee productivity.
The influx of AI and ML will be a notable employee engagement trend in 2024.
But AI also brings risks. If companies are not careful, AI might make employees feel less valued. People may think the AI is watching them too closely. Or that the AI is making all the decisions instead of human managers.
The key is to strike the right balance. Use AI to help understand employees and give them resources. But make sure real people still build relationships, listen to concerns, and include everyone. AI should assist human experts, not replace them.
When done right, AI lets companies support employees better than ever before. It gives HR more time to focus on the human side of their jobs. But it takes a thoughtful approach to bring people along on the journey. AI is powerful but people are still a company's most valuable asset. Losing their trust means losing their engagement over the long run.
5.Employee Recognition in the workplace
One key trend that stands out is recognition. Companies are increasingly realizing the impact of appreciating their team members. It's not just about formal programs; it's about recognizing successes at the moment from colleagues and managers alike. Beyond traditional performance appraisals, organizations increasingly realize the power of acknowledging and celebrating their employees' contributions in real-time.
This trend reflects the shift towards a workplace culture that values and celebrates every achievement, big or small. It's more than a pat on the back – it's a powerful tool for boosting morale, creating a positive atmosphere, and making employees feel truly valued, resulting in increased productivity and job satisfaction.
6. Diversity and inclusion in the workplace
Building a global working environment is the need of the hour. Diversity and inclusion need to prevail.
Companies in the top quartile for racial and ethnic diversity are 35 percent more likely to have financial returns that are above the national median for their industry. (EY)
When people from different parts, ethnicities, traditions and social structures come together, they bring new and unique ideas to the table. They offer a fresh perspective on matters and more ways of problem-solving. The combined result is a much-needed global outlook to matters in hand.
When you have a diverse, fair, and just culture, it results in a more innovative, creative, and engaged workforce.
But diversity without inclusion is like an Indian curry without salt.
Representation is just one piece of the puzzle. Inclusion is the binding force that will hold all the elements together. Diversity can only sustain when organizations are successful in creating a sense of belongingness for all employees.
Hopefully, we will see Diversity and inclusion become a huge part of a broader employee engagement strategy in 2024.
Creating a safer and more balanced work environment will become a prime agenda for companies in the coming decade.
7. Employees as brand ambassadors
Employees play a much bigger role in this generation for corporate branding. Technology has caused a massive change both in influence and how corporates approach branding.
An employee gets 561% more engagement on a message shared on social media than when the company shares the same.
An employee has 10 times more followers on social media than their employer.
Organizations who have jumped on the employee branding wagon transform their employees into brand ambassadors and increase productivity. Also, we are looking at a steady rise in the impact of employee review. According to 2017 study, 41% of job seekers rate employee reviews higher than any other source.
To have a numero uno employee branding endeavor, you need to keep a few things in mind.
You should educate your employees about the company’s value. Your employees cannot tell a story they are unaware of. You take a few formal steps like conducting brand training to achieve this.
One more thing you should take care of is recruitment. It is quite difficult to make great brand ambassadors out of misfit hires.
Last, but definitely the most important part, is employee engagement. Marketing your company culture will only take you so far. Your company should be great, and a fun place to work, or else see the attrition rates touch the roof.
To have a successful employee branding campaign make sure you map out your goals and communicate with your employees. And no rushing, please! You should announce one fine morning that from 1 pm, your organization will start the employee branding campaign!
8. Workplace wellness
More and more companies are taking up wellness initiatives for its employees. 2024 will only take this employee engagement trend further.
Employees spend a huge amount of their waking hours in their workplaces. Naturally, health has a lot to do with the company's work environment and work culture.
A healthy mind resides in a healthy body.
Naturally, a healthy individual outperforms others.
Health has a direct correlation with the productivity and performance level of employees. Hence, the bottom line of the company.
Offering a sound corporate wellness program is a financial as well as a moral responsibility of an organization.
In 2024, much focus will be given to mental health and creating a stress-free work environment.
Poor mental health is one of the biggest issues in the workplace today. It causes a loss of over 70 million working days every year.
The top five stress symptoms are fatigue, sleeplessness, aches and pains, anxiety, and weight gain.
Desk-bound employees are one of the prime sufferers of mental illnesses. They are so engrossed in the rat race of the corporate world that they often neglect their mental health. The result is a bunch of stressed employees in the workforce.
Surveys and case studies have repeatedly revealed appalling data about the mental health of employees.
The good news is, it brought with it the wind of change and awareness. People are now becoming more aware and concerned about taking care of their mental well-being. The stigma associated with mental health is also slowly fading away.
Employers and managers can play a unique role in supporting mental health in the workplace. The aim should be to address the issue, create awareness, identify the factors triggering stress, and taking the necessary steps to create a healthier work environment.
9. Interesting and challenging work
Top reasons for leaving a job: insufficient pay (44%), limited career paths (43%), lack of challenging work (30%), work-life balance (28%), and lack of recognition (27%)*.
~(Randstad)
Exciting and Challenging work is one of the prime and long-lasting motivators for employees. Your employees might continue to work in the absence of interesting work, but they will not put their heart and soul into it.
This phenomenon is prevalent in the case of GenX and GenZ employees. They are critical thinkers and challenger-seekers, and problem-solving is in their inherent nature.
Hence, creating interesting and challenging work will be an Employee engagement trend that every company must acknowledge.
Employers and managers can play a special role here. A good performance management system, welcoming suggestions, and setting goals are some ways to do so. Doing so will attract the right talent as well as retain employees for the long run.
10. Millenniials and Gen-Z friendly employee benefits
One-size-fits-all benefit packages are a thing of the past. Younger staff may care more about fertility coverage or repaying student loans. Middle-aged tend to prioritize health insurance and retirement saving options.
Employee benefits must evolve from traditional ones to more creative ones.
Millennials already form the largest section of the workforce. They will soon form half of the workforce in the next one year and three fourth by 2030. And they will be followed by Gen Zers (who will be even harder to impress and retain!) A watch on 10 years of tenure or a turkey on holiday season won’t work anymore.
The talent acquisition system is changing at a stunning rate. The number of companies is increasing, and economic stability has become a reality. Companies are now competing with one another to attract the best talent.
The job profile, including the perks and benefits offered by a company, plays an important role.
Millennials and Gen Zers put particular emphasis on the job package. They prefer unique, personalized, and thoughtful employee benefits and perks.
They love diverse and flexible choices. Most companies now adopt a point-based reward system for gifting and rewarding employees to give them more freedom over their perks.
Companies also provide millennial-friendly benefits such as flavored popcorn and granola packs, napping rooms, free breakfast, paid holidays, paid fitness memberships, vacation time, and so forth.
Thus, companies must take a tailored approach - allowing cafeteria-style benefit selections based on life stage. This flexibility empowers employees to care for their families. This approach demonstrates a commitment to employee satisfaction and fosters a sense of inclusivity and appreciation for the unique contributions of each team member.
11. Hybrid Work Model
As remote and hybrid work models become mainstream over the past couple years, companies are realizing the 80/20 approach (in office 2 days a week on average) optimizes engagement.This trend recognizes the importance of flexibility. It not only promotes a healthier work-life balance but also harnesses the power of technology to maintain efficient collaboration and productivity across dispersed teams. Trust in outputs over hours clocked are keyLeaders should provide collaborative digital tools for efficient hybrid management rather than micromanaging.
Did you know that - Ranstand workmonitor 2023 states research shows that more than half(61%) wouldn’t accept a position that is detrimental to their work-life balance
12.Upskilling & Reskilling
Employees today seek career progression in their profession more than anything. They want to be in a job that helps them grow as an individual, personally and professionally. They want to shape their careers with every job role they play progressively.
Facilitating career growth in the job will become one of the top-seeking employee engagement trends in 2024.
47% of higher educated workers said a limited career path could get them to leave for a better opportunity (Randstad)
The Gen Xers and Gen Zers in the workforce would never consider a place where growth is stagnant. To retain them, organizations must foster an environment where they can learn, grow and advance. Companies should invest more in learning and development programs and proper mentoring programs.
As the corporate world evolves rapidly, companies are placing a strong emphasis on upskilling and reskilling initiatives. Regular skills training, development workshops, and tuition reimbursement help future-proof employee adaptability as industries experience rapid digital transformation.
Whether teaching older employees new tech skills or sending younger staff to specialized training programs - is a win-win strategy. These upskilling and reskilling efforts make employees across all generations feel valued as professionals, keeping them motivated and engaged. Committing to developing talent internally allows companies to meet emerging demands flexibly and stay ahead of the curve over time. The adaptability and expanded capabilities energize employees while ensuring the business can thrive through future economic shifts.
Statistics from PwC found that 74% of workers want to acquire new skills in their training.
According to the World Economic Forum, employers estimate that 44% of workers’ skills will be disrupted in the next five years
13. Employee Voice & Feedback
Organizations increasingly prioritize employee voice and feedback, seeking ways to incorporate suggestions and address concerns. Regular engagement surveys, being open to anonymous constructive criticism, and having acceptable channels to contribute suggestions without judgment demonstrate leadership wants to understand staff needs better.
Companies are placing a premium on employee voice and feedback, establishing channels for open communication. This empowers employees and enables organizations to make informed decisions that resonate with the needs and aspirations of their workforce, ultimately fostering a more engaged and committed team.
14.Purpose & Meaning
Today, employees are seeking more than just a job! They want a sense of purpose and meaning in their work. Companies are aligning their missions with the values of their workforce, emphasizing the impact of each individual's contributions. Connecting work to a broader purpose motivates employees and strengthens the organization's identity and reputation.
Studies show that connecting work to a larger purpose increases effort and loyalty more than financial incentives alone. Employees should understand exactly how their daily tasks map to ethical corporate missions. CSR volunteering events and showcasing case studies linking work to real-world social impact are great binding and motivational strategies.
Finally
In summary, as we head into 2024, the way we engage employees is changing. Technology, empathy, and flexibility are becoming key players in creating a positive workplace. Prioritizing employee well-being, using innovative tools, and fostering a culture of continuous learning are crucial for organizations to thrive.
By staying on top of these trends, businesses can ensure that their employees are not just satisfied but actively contributing to success in 2024 and beyond.
This article was co-authored by Darshana and Supriya, who work as digital marketers at Vantage Circle. For any queries reach out to editor@vantagecircle.com.
