Customer Base – A positive work environment paves the way for satisfied consumers. Will companies be able to keep their staff happy and engaged as they return to work in the wake of the pandemic?
Many studies have found that firms with highly engaged staff outperform their competition, and these results demonstrate that employee engagement has a direct connection to customer experience. To retain employee happiness—and customer satisfaction—in a post-pandemic workplace, businesses will need to change their focus from business-as-usual to providing a rewarding employee experience.
Most businesses won’t be able to work remotely due to the nature of their work and other factors. Then again, if businesses want to keep their consumers engaged, they ought to keep their eyes on productivity and development, which happens most effectively when people are in the office working together and bouncing ideas off each other.
To ensure that teams are productive, healthy, and engaged when they return to the workplace, businesses must focus on establishing an enjoyable work environment for their employees.
Cultivate a Work Environment that Encourages Employee Involvement
‘Businesses seeking to enhance their customer experience and generate a commensurate improvement in ROI should focus on delivering the greatest employee experience possible,’ says Jamie Johnson, CEO of FJP Investment. “This involves making sure that workers are happy to return to the workplace, and they discover new ways to interact, feel comfortable and supported as they do so, with new health and wellness practices in place.”
As a result, companies would do well to consider the following changes to achieve this.
An Investment in Communication is a Must
Communication determines whether an organization’s employees are engaged. For employees to feel more engaged, greater openness surrounding activities performed in the new workplace might help them feel more connected to and invested in the organization’s goals. Employees will also want information and openness about new safety measures, health awareness, communication between in-office and remote teams, and more as they return to the workplace following the pandemic.
Innovative communication technology connecting employees will become commonplace in offices and conference rooms everywhere. In-person meetings can be virtually joined with the use of tools such as virtual whiteboarding software and smartboards, as well as synchronous and asynchronous communication platforms, and big format telepresence equipment.
Workplaces that are more Flexible
In a post-pandemic business, flexibility and resilience will be key. In addition, some staff will continue to work remotely, while some may return to the office.
Employers should consider a variety of workplace settings. For example, furniture and workspace may be flexible to suit rotating teams as well as social distancing measures.
The interest in workplaces with abundant natural daylight, as well as access to the outside, like gardens, terraces, or balconies where workers can stretch out, will only increase. Organizations should think creatively about how to create engaging, comfortable workspaces that foster teamwork and productivity.
Invest in Confidence for Returning Employees
As staff return to the workplace, they are concerned about their safety, which may affect whether they feel at ease returning to work. To enable employees to feel safe, companies will need to incorporate various tools and technology, such as welfare checks at the entry, touchless buttons, and digital signs to keep everyone apprised of new health programs, among other things.
Investment in welfare initiatives, especially when employees return after such a stressful year, is another way to let employees know that businesses care about their health. Implementing welfare initiatives will reduce sickness and improve overall employee wellbeing.
Place a high Value on Acknowledgment and Reward
Employees, especially those who work away from the office setting, are more focused when they feel that their efforts are being noticed and appreciated. Employee engagement and satisfaction will be improved by increasing the focus on recognizing and rewarding workers’ efforts. Everyone likes to be recognized for their work; validation is an important part of human nature.
Don’t Underestimate the Importance of Fun!
Fun is a great stress reliever. Fun eases the mind and allows creativity to flow more freely.
Ensure your staff has fun when they come back to work. When activities or initiatives are playful in tone, not only is there a pleasant rivalry, but it may also cut employee turnover by as much as 20 percent!
Lunches or happy hours, both in-person and online, can be arranged, as can periodically quizzes or other fun competitions. Thus, teams will be able to stay in touch and establish relationships from a distance. Out of sight but not out of mind.
