Trends in Employee Engagement
Andrew Heath
September 21, 2021
It’s possible to plot a timeline of how employee engagement has evolved over recent times, but what are the new trends in employee engagement you should focus on?
As years have passed, employers have increasingly recognised the connection between an engaged workforce and a successful business. That change in recognition had been tangible, yet steady; a smooth upward trajectory in understanding – until the coronavirus changed everything.
A former Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, was once asked what would determine his government’s course. He apparently replied, “Events, dear boy, events.” And events don’t come much bigger than a global pandemic.
Suddenly millions set up home offices, enacting a way of working which had previously been predicted, but rarely practiced. Then, as the lockdowns eased, employers found themselves facing daunting skills shortages, as well as a battle to source and retain talent.
Did the pandemic change the course of employee engagement trends? The answer is no. The compass still points in the same direction, but what happened was the velocity of travel which accelerated at break-neck speed.
With all the upheaval, ideas have now become established practice, and predictions have become trends. The future has arrived.
Employment Engagement Trends
Hybrid working – the time for talking is over
For most industries, flexible or hybrid working is now tried and tested. In fact, it is now on the verge of crossing over from a trend into the accepted mainstream.
The desire to have some form of remote or home working isn’t new. A 2020 Forbes paper on hybrid working quotes a 2017 survey, which found 47% of employees would consider leaving if their company didn’t provide remote work options. It can be assumed this figure is far higher in 2021.
As job vacancies rise and the skills shortage intensifies, more and more employees will see the option of hybrid working as a right, just as they would expect to get at least 20 days holiday. Employers that ignore this employee engagement trend and remain rigid will do so at their peril.
A people first culture – an essential employee engagement trend
A people first approach is another employee engagement trend which has flipped from desirable to essential in 2021. The reasons are the same – the fight for talent and a rise in employee expectations.
The ethos of creating a positive company-wide culture is still relatively new. In the late 20th century, many organisations looked to improve the employee experience, but few joined up the dots and realised just how important engagement was.
DEI – a top priority for organisations
Another essential element of company culture that has accelerated in the last couple of years is the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion. However, this is much more than simply an employee engagement trend and should be a top priority in all organisations. Not only is it a legal and ethical requirement, but DEI delivers greater levels of innovation, talent, profitability, and employee engagement.
DEI is hardly a new concept – organisations have been working to remove discrimination and unconscious bias for some time now. But important social and political movements, such as BLM, #MeToo, and transgender equality mean that momentum has gained pace, and led to important demands from the workforce.
Hybrid working – the time for talking is over
For most industries, flexible or hybrid working is now tried and tested. In fact, it is now on the verge of crossing over from a trend into the accepted mainstream.
The desire to have some form of remote or home working isn’t new. A 2020 Forbes paper on hybrid working quotes a 2017 survey, which found 47% of employees would consider leaving if their company didn’t provide remote work options. It can be assumed this figure is far higher in 2021.
As job vacancies rise and the skills shortage intensifies, more and more employees will see the option of hybrid working as a right, just as they would expect to get at least 20 days holiday. Employers that ignore this employee engagement trend and remain rigid will do so at their peril.
Hybrid working – the time for talking is over
For most industries, flexible or hybrid working is now tried and tested. In fact, it is now on the verge of crossing over from a trend into the accepted mainstream.
The desire to have some form of remote or home working isn’t new. A 2020 Forbes paper on hybrid working quotes a 2017 survey, which found 47% of employees would consider leaving if their company didn’t provide remote work options. It can be assumed this figure is far higher in 2021.
As job vacancies rise and the skills shortage intensifies, more and more employees will see the option of hybrid working as a right, just as they would expect to get at least 20 days holiday. Employers that ignore this employee engagement trend and remain rigid will do so at their peril.
Hybrid working – the time for talking is over
For most industries, flexible or hybrid working is now tried and tested. In fact, it is now on the verge of crossing over from a trend into the accepted mainstream.
The desire to have some form of remote or home working isn’t new. A 2020 Forbes paper on hybrid working quotes a 2017 survey, which found 47% of employees would consider leaving if their company didn’t provide remote work options. It can be assumed this figure is far higher in 2021.
As job vacancies rise and the skills shortage intensifies, more and more employees will see the option of hybrid working as a right, just as they would expect to get at least 20 days holiday. Employers that ignore this employee engagement trend and remain rigid will do so at their peril.