10 Ways to Improve Employee Experience in the Workplace in 2025

Are you struggling to retain your top talent despite your best efforts? A negative employee experience could be the reason.

In 2025, employee expectations from the workplace will continue to rise. Employees today not only seek just a good paycheck; they also consider other factors.

As per a 2023 survey, only 38% of employees cite an aligned pay cheque as the reason for choosing a job. 45% want to work in an organisation where their work is meaningful, and 43% cite career advancements and opportunities as the reason for choosing the company. 

By understanding and addressing these evolving needs, organisations can unlock the full potential of their workforce. Companies focusing on employee experience and engagement also generate 2.5x  more revenue than those with low engagement levels. 

This blog explores 10 actionable ways to enhance employee experience, helping you create a more engaged, motivated, and productive workforce. 

What is employee experience?

Employee experience (EX) refers to the overall journey of an employee within an organisation. It encompasses every interaction, process, and experience they encounter from the moment they’re hired to the day they exit.

EX is similar to customer experience if you consider employees as internal customers in departments such as IT, HR, and communications.

The seven stages of employee experience include

1. Recruitment: Focuses on sourcing, screening, and selecting talent so that only the right talent is incorporated into the company
2. Onboarding: Aspects that help create a positive environment for new hires and integrate them into the organisation
3. Engagement: Methods and policies such as 360-degree feedback, active listening, and anonymous feedback help improve employee engagement in the organisation
4. Performance: The methods and strategies for employee productivity and output
5. Development: Upskilling and learning opportunities to advance a team member’s career
6. Retention/Attrition: Aspects that focus on the retention of top talent
7. Exit: Managing processes and behaviour to make a safe, positive exit for voluntary or involuntary exits

These detailed insights help the organisation and the HR teams build better policies and processes.

What are the Most Common Indicators of Poor Employee Experience at the Workplace?

The first step to improving employee experience is to practice active listening and understand what your employees think about your company’s processes and overall culture.

Some clear signs of poor employee experience include:

• High Employee Turnover: A tell-tale sign of poor employee experience is high employee turnover rates. If you are struggling to retain top talent despite offering fair compensation and benefits, it’s a clear sign that employees are not satisfied with their roles or the work environment.
• Low Employee Engagement: Most employees won’t speak out when they realise there is a hostile work environment. Instead, they go silent, and they usually share their grievances only in exit interviews or if it is all too much.
• Frequent Burnout: If you notice a high rate of burnout or a decrease in the level of productivity, it could be a sign of poor employee experience and lack of work-life balance.

A bad employee experience might be defined as when people are undervalued, overworked, or just demotivated about their jobs. It can take on numerous guises, such as experiencing excessive stress, being unmotivated, or feeling unaccomplished.

Also Read: 10 Ways to Improve Mental Health at Workplace

10 Ways to Improve Employee Experience in the Workplace

Here are some proactive strategies to address the challenges of low employee morale and decreased productivity.

1. Encourage a Culture of Open Communication

Employees feel connected to the workplace when they can speak their minds without any threat of backlash or stifling their voices. This allows them to share actionable feedback to improve employee experiences and, eventually, the overall work environment. 

To build open communication at work:

• Implement regular feedback mechanisms, such as anonymous surveys, 360-degree feedback, or team meetings/town hall meetings, to provide a platform for employees to share their thoughts
• Create multiple team communication channels like Slack or in-person team meetings where employees can voice their opinions freely
• Practice transparent leadership communication and ensure that each leader abides by these values. This will ensure fairness regardless of one’s role or seniority in the company
• Make team and one-on-one meetings with managers a part of your company culture. This allows teams to discuss their workloads, challenges, and career aspirations with the managers

2. Prioritise Health and Wellness Benefits

There is more to employee health than just group insurance coverage. Companies that wish to prioritise their team’s overall health and well-being must go beyond the basics by including the following:

• Mental health programs should consist of free counselling sessions, team meditations, and stress-management workshops to help manage mental health challenges and seek professional guidance
• Organise activities like yoga classes, step challenges, or wellness retreats that encourage the entire team to take up a healthier lifestyle
• Provide regular health checkups and immunisation drives that promote long-term health and prevention
• Provide comprehensive health insurance plans that include physical, mental, and preventive care, such as Onsurity’s health and wellness benefits. With providers like Onsurity, you can tailor healthcare solutions to your team requirements, making them feel secure and supported

Also read: Top 10 Monetary and Non-Monetary Benefits to Offer Employees

3. Design Flexible Work Arrangements

Research shows that the number of remote employees worldwide increased to 28% in 2023, up from 13% in 2020 and just 10% the year before the pandemic. 

Remote work has both benefits and drawbacks, but offering the flexibility to work as your team prefers can significantly improve employee satisfaction and work-life balance.

To adopt a healthy and flexible work arrangement, make sure to:

• Allow employees to work remotely, either full-time or part-time
• Provide flexible start and end times, compressed workweeks, or the opportunity to work anywhere
• Institute policies that promote work-life balance in the organisation. Some examples may include – providing ample vacation time, paternity leave, or flexible time off
• Offer to employees whatever they may need in terms of technology and equipment to function productively in a hybrid mode so productivity does not suffer in work-from-home environments

4. Invest in Professional Development

Employees want to feel that their organisation is invested in their personal and professional development and values their career growth. So, ensure that you provide avenues for professional growth by:

• Promising clear paths for growth, internal mobility options, as well as, customised development programs
• Skill development programs like upskilling existing employees with workshops, online courses, training, or funding upskill courses to match organisational goals
• Match employees with seasoned mentors for guidance through challenges and knowledge-sharing
• Empower employees to take up courses, attend conferences, or be a part of industry-related events by providing a budget to each team and individual for learning and development

5. Create a Comfortable Physical Workspace

While employees have flexibility in the workplace, they will also feel more productive in a comfortable physical space. Creating a comfortable and inspiring environment can enhance employee satisfaction and engagement and allow them to work productively.

To achieve this:

• Designate separate areas where teams can brainstorm and work together creatively, like open-plan seating or breakout zones
• Provide private spaces or soundproof pods for tasks requiring concentration
• Add areas for relaxation and social interaction, such as lounges, game rooms, or wellness corners
• Invest in comfortable desks and chairs that promote good posture and prevent workplace injuries

Also read: 10 Ways to Improve Work-Life Balance for Your Employees

6. Implement Recognition and Rewards Programs

A good way to increase morale and improve job satisfaction is by recognising and rewarding employees. 91% of HRs believe that recognition and reward positively impact employee retention and also boost productivity as a whole.

To build a thriving recognition and rewards program:

• Offer performance-based incentives like bonuses, promotions, or salary increments
• Encourage employees to recognise each other’s contributions through tools like Kudos boards or digital shoutouts
• Celebrate anniversaries, completion of projects, or teams with a special gift or an event
• Give non-cash incentives that may be gift cards, extra paid holidays, or other recognition through public announcements that celebrate the work done by employees

7. Strengthen Team Building and Social Connections

It may be that the managers were not considered while engaging in team building.

In order to genuinely strengthen team building and the work environment you must:

• Organise team-building activities, such as escape rooms, cooking classes, or volunteer work, to help team members bond and collaborate
• Host social events, such as holiday parties, birthday celebrations, or team lunches, to create opportunities for employees to socialise and connect
• Support employee resource groups (ERGs) that bring together employees with shared interests or backgrounds
• Encourage collaboration between different departments to foster cross-functional relationships and knowledge-sharing

Suggested read: 15 Top Fun Friday Games & Activities For Employees In Office

8. Provide Modern Tools and Technology

As per Gallup’s findings, only 38% of employees mentioned having the materials and equipment to complete their work. 

Investing in modern tools can empower employees to work smarter, not harder. So, make sure to:

• Update software and hardware so all your teams can perform their tasks effectively
• Use collaboration tools like project management software, communication platforms, and cloud storage, to facilitate teamwork and remote work
• Implement automation tools to streamline repetitive tasks and free up employees’ time for more strategic work
• You provide access to digital training resources and online courses so that employees can understand how to do their tasks more efficiently by leveraging technology

9. Establish Clear Career Paths

Research shows that 94% of employees would stay longer at a company offering upskilling and career growth opportunities. Unfortunately, not many companies can help their team members understand their career progression, leading to most quitting or looking for jobs outside the organisation.

To build a clear pathway and help your employees understand their growth opportunities:

• Communicate criteria for promotions and career advancement to employees so that they know the values and skills they need to progress in their roles
• Have regular career discussions with employees on setting goals, identifying development needs, and discussing possible career paths
• Use skill maps to identify the skills and competencies required for different organisational roles
• Offer chances for internal mobility by providing opportunities for employees to switch roles and departments

10. Promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

A diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace is essential for innovation, creativity, and employee well-being. By creating a culture of belonging, you can attract and retain top talent from diverse backgrounds.

To cultivate diversity and inclusion:

• Implement inclusive hiring practices to attract and hire a diverse workforce
• Provide cultural awareness training to help your team members understand and respect different cultures and perspectives
• Implement policies and practices that ensure equal opportunities for all employees, regardless of their background
• Encourage diversity in leadership roles to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace

You can use these effective employee experience strategies to transform your organisation into a workplace where employees want to stay and grow.

Conclusion

By focusing on employee experience, you will improve attrition rates or productivity. But that is just the beginning!

You can even attract the best talent in the job market because candidates are always looking for a work environment that makes them feel valued and supported. In the coming decades, these expectations will only increase, tilting towards organisations that offer excellent work-life balance and growth opportunities.

Ready to prioritise employee experience? Start with Onsurity’s comprehensive business health plans to cover your employees and their families for all their health-related needs. Be it doctor teleconsultations, discounted health checkups, or medicine delivery, our medical insurance and health plan have you covered end-to-end.

Take the next step towards a healthier work environment – request a demo now!

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