Discover how Canadian employers can enhance employee experience to boost engagement, retention, and productivity in today's workplace
In the age of social media, big names tap brand ambassadors and influencers to promote their products. A new title is emerging within this sphere: employee advocacy. These are employees who use social media to promote the organizations they work for.
To become credible advocates for their employers, it’s important for individuals to have had an amazing journey at that company. In this article, we’ll go over what employee experience is and how you can make it better for your organization.
What is employee experience?
Employee experience (also known as EX) refers to how your employees feel about working in your organization. It also covers their perception of the company, its leadership, their team, and their manager.
This starts from the time an employee applies for a job until the time they leave. The goal is to have a positive experience throughout the entire employee journey.
Why does it matter?
Employees who feel happy and engaged at work are your secret weapon. They contribute to a positive work environment. They are innovative and productive, which translates to profits for the organization.
Engaged and motivated employees make good ambassadors for your company. Prospective job candidates can see through them what working at your organization feels and looks like.
What does employee experience mean for HR?
Making people feel good about their company is one of the most important missions of any HR practitioner. It’s what brings talent through the door and what keeps them from walking out. Without a strong employee experience, no other HR tools or strategies can truly succeed.
In today’s competitive talent market, a great employee experience is more than a nice-to-have. It’s a strategic advantage.
The employee experience equation
According to author, speaker, and trained futurist Jacob Morgan, there are three environments that make up employee experience: culture, technology, and space.
These three make up the employee experience equation. Let’s go over each aspect, relating Morgan’s concepts with how they might look like in real life:
Culture
According to Morgan, culture is the "vibe" that employees feel, influenced by leadership style, organizational structure, and the behaviours of colleagues. Culture energizes or drains, motivates or discourages, and is a critical component of the overall employee experience.
When a leader walks into a room, do the people tense up? Or do they smile? Are colleagues respectful to each other?
Technology
Technology is all about the tools and platforms employees use every day. Morgan says that modern, user-friendly tools can enhance efficiency and satisfaction, making technology a vital element of the employee experience.
The pandemic shone a spotlight on the importance of having the right technology. Many companies have had to scramble to purchase laptops and remote devices; for others, the pivot was effortless because they had good tech in place.
Space
The physical environment includes the office layout, decor, amenities, and the overall ambiance. According to Morgan, the physical workspace can energize or drain employees. This has an impact on their engagement and productivity.
A thoughtfully designed space that reflects the company's values can enhance the employee experience.
How to improve employee experience
Now let’s look at some ways to make the workforce experience at your company even better. Studies and reports online show these to be emerging trends in Canadian workplaces:
- Make hybrid work the new normal
- Strengthen well-being programs
- Set upskilling and internal mobility as strategic priorities
- Use AI to support, not replace, employees
- Listen to your people
Let’s go over each trend in a bit more detail and how it relates to the employee journey:
1. Hybrid work as the new normal
According to a report from the C.D. Howe Institute, one out of four Canadians now work from home; hybrid work is becoming more common. There are variations, though, based on:
- type of industry – construction and agriculture jobs are still onsite
- education level – those with bachelor’s degrees have more opportunities for remote work
- location – cities with longer commute times tend to offer more remote roles
In light of this trend, think about making remote or hybrid roles available if you haven’t done so already. Employees should have equitable access to career opportunities; being physically away from the office should not count against them. A robust remote work policy should help with that.
Having great tech is non-negotiable. Responsive tech support is also a requirement. These make the remote worker feel supported even if they’re away from the office.
When it comes to physical space, consider offering a home office improvement allowance. In the office, implement hotdesking paired with smart booking systems or personal lockers. This balance supports both remote and in-office needs while reinforcing a sense of belonging.
2. Well-being program as a core benefit
The emphasis on mental health in the workplace is growing, says wealth management firm WealthCo. Conversations on mental well-being are becoming more common, and more organizations are investing in wellness initiatives.
Encourage a corporate culture where conversations on mental health are welcomed. Offer tools such as EAP, coaching, and wellness apps to support employees’ overall health.
The office space should evoke calm and order. As author Gretchen Rubin said, “outer order contributes to inner calm.” Encourage in-office employees to keep their areas clean and tidy. Have indoor plants and lots of natural light in different areas of the workspace.
3. Upskilling and internal mobility as strategic priorities
A workforce that embraces learning and development can spell success for the organization. Studies have shown that employees are more engaged and productive when their employers invest in their growth.
Start with an employee development program that flows from your organization’s business strategy. To support all employees with different preferences and styles, offer a variety of learning tools and resources.
Be clear and transparent about progression within the company. Have mentorship, coaching, and job shadow opportunities available for employees to explore career options.
4. Use AI to support, not replace, employees
Tech platform Firstup says that more companies are using AI to make employee experience better. AI and automation can help answer questions quickly and take care of simple tasks. This gives employees more time to focus on important work and planning.
How will this change the way employees feel about their jobs? Workers will get used to interacting with AI during their time at work. This is a change we should be excited about, not scared of.
Employers might consider offering AI and automation learning sessions, especially for those who find new technologies intimidating. Encouraging people to learn new skills leads to innovation and creativity.
Here’s a case study of how AI is helping, not hurting, roles like HR.
5. Listen to your people
Who else to give better advice on employee experience than the employees themselves? Ask them how they feel working for the company. Listen to what they say. Use different feedback tools like pulse checks, surveys, and 360-degree feedback.
Above all, take action on their feedback! Doing something about an issue they care about makes them feel valued.
Finally, this isn’t a trend, but it is worth mentioning: compensation is always a factor in employee experience. Employers who value quality work give fair pay and good benefits. This contributes to a fair and equitable workplace, resulting in good employee experience.
Make sure that your employees are compensated well. For a data-driven approach to addressing this issue, read our analysis on wages and shifts in the workforce. Subscribe to CHRR+ to access the full report.
Real-life case studies in employee experience
After looking at ways to improve employee experience, let’s now look at some organizations that did it right:
Ottawa Community Housing
The largest social housing provider in Ottawa has taken a forward-thinking approach to employee experience. Ottawa Community Housing implemented a hybrid work model designed through employee engagement via surveys and focus groups.
The organization offers options for people to work in the office, at home, or on site. This allowed its people to work wherever it suited them best, resulting in high levels of trust and engagement.
HomeEquity Bank
HomeEquity Bank fosters a culture of continuous feedback and leadership development. Its leaders are retention-focused, making sure employees stay engaged and motivated.
Part of their retention-focused strategy includes conducting stay interviews as a way to address possible reasons for departures.
The bank moved into a new office space in 2023. It was designed to be convenient and comfortable so that employees look forward to coming in every day. The result: people love their new workspace.
Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO)
IMCO refreshed its benefits program to reflect employee feedback, introducing coverage for fertility treatment and vet expenses, to name a few.
To stay responsive, IMCO conducts quarterly pulse checks and a yearly engagement survey, which saw a 93 percent response rate. Managers access team insights on an employee engagement platform, helping them see and act on feedback right away.
These three companies won the most innovative HR teams awards in 2023 and 2024. See who this year’s winners are by visiting our Best in HR section.
Why is employee experience so important?
Employee experience is one of the metrics that measure your company’s success. It’s not just about profit or performance; it’s about making your people engaged, happy, and proud to be part of your organization.
To become successful in this area, listen to your employees. Seek feedback regularly using different tools and approaches. And most importantly, take action on the issues they raise. This makes them feel valued. And that’s really what employee experience is all about.
For full access to stories, reports, and expert views on employee experience, subscribe to CHRR+ today!
