As both the workforce and the workplace continue to change, many organizations find themselves wondering whether they need an employee experience manager.
The employee experience is more complex than ever before, with people working remotely, based in the office, or taking a hybrid approach. You can have employees located anywhere in the world. Plus, you can also have freelancers or consultants filling out your workforce when you need it.
All of this is a lot for HR teams to juggle and consider. Each situation has different needs and requires different management approaches.
You also have to factor in employees’ individual needs based on their personal situation. This could include their health, location, neurodiversity, disability, household type, and even their personal preferences.
The more of these things you factor in, the more likely you are to retain employees.
However, it all adds up to a lot to manage on top of someone’s existing responsibilities. That’s why it helps to have a dedicated employee experience manager whose sole responsibility is to focus on these things.
77% of job seekers say that employee experience is a deciding factor when considering where to apply. So not investing in yours means you might miss out on the best candidate for a role. This then risks harming your business’s long-term growth.
Let’s take a deeper look at the benefits of having an employee experience manager in the new world of work:
Better customer experience
When it comes to existing employees, 85% of people agree that an improved employee experience, and higher employee engagement, means a better customer experience and higher customer satisfaction.
When employees are happier and more engaged at work, they’re much more likely to provide a great customer experience. This is true for both new and old customers. It reflects well on your brand, meaning you’re more likely to get high reviews and repeat customers who spread the word about you and your business.
As a result, you get to earn more money, attract more customers, charge more, and grow faster.
Greater sense of belonging
25% of American employees feel they lack a sense of belonging in the workplace. And 40% of employees now feel isolated at work.
When employees feel this way, their performance suffers and they’re more likely to leave.
A lot more likely to leave: the turnover risk for someone who feels unhappy at work or like they don’t belong is 50%. How many of your employees can you risk feeling that way?
An employee experience manager prevents this high turnover risk. It’s their job to help employees feel like they do belong.
They can organize things like employee groups, networking events, individual accomodations, whatever someone needs to feel appreciated.
And they can manage your feedback surveys to spot any problems before they evolve into bigger issues.
Reduced churn rate
As mentioned above, the risk of someone leaving if they’re unhappy at work is 50%.
Every time an employee who doesn’t feel like they belong leaves, it costs you money. You have to hire and train someone new to fill the gap they left behind.
And if you haven’t fixed the issues the original employee faced, their replacement may not stay all that long either. This same cycle could end up repeating itself just a few months later.
More tailored approach to employees’ individual needs
HR teams are busier than ever before. That means they simply don’t have the time or the head space to take an individualized approach to someone’s needs.
Having an employee experience manager whose job it is to focus on ensuring everyone can build a work-life they love means it doesn’t add to the stress of other HR team members. It complements the efforts of the larger people team and boosts employee satisfaction.
The more we learn about people and their different ways of working, the more important it is for us to tailor our approaches and our office environment to employees’ individual needs.
Some employees might work better in a busy, open-plan office environment, while others will thrive in silence.
Not all employees are comfortable asking for what they need. Or, HR managers dealing with certain situations may not know what help is available. Having an employee experience manager who’s knowledgeable about these things is vital to helping workers achieve—and exceed—their potential.
There are so many different needs out there that understanding them all is a full-time job. An employee experience manager can monitor and manage employees’ needs without it distracting from other HR tasks.
Stay competitive
Innovation is moving faster than ever before. You need a highly engaged workforce and a low turnover rate to remain competitive.
Otherwise, you risk spending too much money on the hiring process and on trying to retain your employees. These are resources you could be spending on growing and staying competitive.
Exceed employees’ expectations
As the world of work continues to change, employees’ expectations of their employers are growing.
Many employees aren’t just going to accept the status quo anymore. They’re demanding better because they know they deserve it.
An employee experience manager shows the outside world, and your employees, that you’re dedicated to helping your team achieve their potential and ensuring they’re happy and fulfilled in their roles.
It also shows you’re a part of the modern world of work and not stuck in the Dark Ages like some businesses still are.
And it differentiates you from your competitors—particularly if they don’t prioritize their employee experience.
It could even be the difference between someone choosing to work for your business or going to your competitor.
Conclusion
An employee experience manager helps both you and your employees feel happy, fulfilled, and successful.
They take the burden off of HR teams who may already be feeling overwhelmed with everything they have to juggle in the ever-changing world of work.
And they ensure that employees are more productive by providing a better employee experience. This then allows your business to grow and stay competitive.
Whether you’re considering hiring an employee experience manager or trying to succeed without one, having the right tools is key. With a one-stop shop for all your employee programs, events, announcements, files, calendars, and more, everyone can tap into the best your company has to offer from day one.
Plus, with automated surveys, data tracking, and analytics, you’ll have the power to optimize your employee experience in real-time. Don’t fall behind the pack and lose out on top talent. Visit us online today to learn more, or send us a note at hello@workrowd.com.
