Global Survey Talks about the Future of Employee Engagement Post-Pandemic

The COVID-19 global pandemic has dramatically shifted the workplace where employers were forced to rethink their operations. While some may have pivoted and adapted successfully, the need to put in a discretionary effort when it comes to employee engagement has been put into focus.

This poses an important question for businesses, big and small: How can they foster an environment where their employees are motivated enough to stay committed and perform during tough economic times associated with the pandemic?

In discussion with our partners in the Gallagher Employee Experience Specialty Practice, they answer the question through the State of the Sector 2021, the definitive global survey of the internal communication and employee engagement landscape. Gallagher is a global leader in insurance, risk management, and consulting services and has been conducting State of the Sector 2021 for over a decade with insights growing as the environment develops.

Below are the key trends gathered and analyzed from insights across 45 countries and 35 industries that could be here to stay. Knowing these will help businesses make more informed strategies and decisions about their employees that, if implemented accordingly, could help maintain a healthy business that moves forward for everyone’s good.

• DIGITAL EXPERIENCE

Think of a digital strategy that works for your business--one that does not only focus on mere communication through increase in web calls, messaging apps, and the like. Just like how brands make sure that their messages and products reach their customers in a way that they would drive awareness, recall, and sale, a good digital strategy for employees works the same. Think of what your employees need to be more productive at work. Think of how they can create communities and build relationships online. Think of the communication channels that suit your workplace’s environment.

• EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE

In every kind of business, employee experience is indeed just as important as the customer experience. Think about it: the more positive an experience a person has with a brand or company, the more likely it is that he will either come back or stay longer. Like customers, employees are also a primary concern. It’s become all the more clear that employers must invest in their people in a way that will support them as humans. This means an increased focus on employee mental health, wellbeing, learning and development should be considered on top of proper and relevant strategies for the company’s purpose, culture, and vision. 

• TRANSFORMATION

Humans are naturally resistant to change. In the workplace, this can become challenging especially when operational shifts are becoming even more apparent. Because of this, it’s important to prepare programs and plan communication campaigns that focus on such change, the top priority being culture change. Culture change has to do with a reenvisioning and realigning of the company values, behaviors, and leadership styles. More than ever before, employees are looking for new mindsets and ways of working. So when creating a strategy in line with change, make sure to do the following:

1. Create clarity

2. Engage the people

3. Create the climate

4. Encourage behaviors

5. Inspire resilience

Every business has this game-changing opportunity to reinvent how they are as employers into the kind that cares about their employees. Engaged employees will go the extra mile for the company, and will consequently work collaboratively with colleagues to bring the company to a level of success. 

The next state of the sector (2022) survey is now open! To participate and get an advanced copy of the next report CLICK HERE!

If you and your organization want a free copy of the full 2021 report send an email to [email protected].