Game Changers in Employee Happiness, Productivity and Retention

LinkedIn reports that a mere 30% of employees feel their company's technology aligns with expectations, underscoring an untapped transformative potential. This sentiment is echoed in Mexico, where businesses are increasingly recognizing the need to align their technological infrastructure with employee expectations. Emphasizing technological advancements in the workplace not only nurtures a more engaged, collaborative, and productive workforce but is particularly crucial for Mexican companies looking to secure success in the digital age amid a rapidly evolving global landscape.

Employee experience goes beyond HR jargon; it encapsulates an employee's entire journey within a company. It revolves around how employees perceive their work and workplace, playing a pivotal role in business success. BetterUp indicates that inclusive and engaged employees consistently outperform their counterparts. They exhibit higher productivity, job satisfaction, and are more likely to stay with the company long-term. This, in turn, leads to enhanced work quality, increased revenue, and an improved customer experience. 

According to LinkedIn, the impact of technology on the employee experience is significant. Through deliberate integration of technology, businesses can undergo a profound shift. Implementing efficient feedback systems, powered by technology, can transform the traditional feedback process into a personalized and real-time experience. Pulse surveys, feedback tools, and chatbots enable organizations to gather feedback efficiently, identifying areas for improvement. Thus, fostering a sense of value and support among employees. 

Barbara Robles, Talent Management and Leadership Development Deputy Director, Grupo Posadas, considers that the approach to employee experience must be hybrid. While technology enables the automation of certain processes, human interaction still plays an important role in employee happiness. “Nowadays, the world has become hybrid in every way, and in HR, we need to take advantage of this. There are points where employees appreciate the inclusion of technology, but there are times when automation is not the same, especially in situations that require personalized attention. Some processes can be automated, but nothing replaces human interaction," she noted. 

Additionally, offering learning opportunities through AI-driven adaptive platforms can create a positive employee experience. Identifying individual strengths and weaknesses, these platforms suggest personalized training programs, conveying a clear investment in professional growth. For Andrea Vargas, CIO and Co-Founder, Potentor, technology can help draw this roadmap forward, which must be translated into actionable information, also considering evaluation for leaders. "It is crucial for leaders to receive informal feedback. Promoting surveys is important, but sometimes active listening to employees is truly enriching,” Vargas added. 

Vargas said another strategy that has given positive results is reverse mentoring. “It is a highly effective strategy as it helps employees from different areas feel valued, and it enables leaders to understand the processes of other departments more clearly,” she noted 

Communication is key in improving employee experience. CEOs can foster a sense of autonomy by providing employees with clear expectations, ample resources, and the freedom to innovate within their roles. By delegating responsibilities, encouraging experimentation, and recognizing individual achievements, CEOs can empower employees to take ownership of their work, leading to increased motivation, productivity, and retention.

Employers also need to consider the sources of stress for their workforce, recognizing that it may not always be directly related to job duties. Nima Pourshasb, CEO and Co-Founder, Minu, outlined that during surveys conducted on Minu’s platform, the company found that most of the employees in its clients’ workforce admitted to being stressed, being the financial aspect the main cause of this. Pourshasb said that solutions like salary-on-demand can help reduce financial stress and, as a consequence, job rotation. 

Another factor that hinders employee happiness is burnout, which has become a common subject of discussion among HR professionals. Dunia Salomon Pintado, Mexico Managing Director, TMF Group, said that this is not a new issue, but the pandemic put it in the spotlight. “The pandemic was the turning point that made us take notice (of burnout). For us, the balance between life and work is crucial. It's important to communicate and distribute workloads effectively, avoiding overcommitting,” she commented, adding that her organization implemented a strategy of a "no-meeting day, aimed to dedicate time to genuinely prioritized tasks, Solomon said it noted an increased efficiency and value creation, especially for the new generations.

HR experts said it is positive to discuss these issues in the Talent sector, as it demonstrates how much the industry has advanced over the years. They outlined the importance of active listening, combined with digital solutions as it empowers employees and allows more transparency. “Information access is fundamental; information is power,” said Mariana Diaz de Rivera, Chief of Staff, Collective Academy.