The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged all of us. Employees had more time to reflect and re-evaluate what they want in life – resulting in a record number of workers leaving their jobs voluntarily. Companies on the other hand, are rebuilding their organisations – reimagining new ways of working to attract and retain top talent in an increasingly competitive and dynamic labour market. While it was once enough to offer high salaries and attractive working conditions to win this War for Talent, businesses today are operating in a society that expects more out of companies. People are looking for organisations that align with their values. Therefore, companies may need to rethink their workplace culture to boost their (current and prospective) employees’ work experience.
The Best Workplaces™ of 2022 show an excellent example of how it should be done! They are thriving in this dynamic business environment by putting their employees at the heart of their organisations, even during difficult times. They turn the challenges the pandemic posed, into opportunities to grow rather than experiencing them as a burden. Each in their own way, the Best Workplaces have made significant changes in their existing structures to bring out the best in all of their employees – thereby reporting stronger relationships of trust, greater talent attraction, higher retention and increased workforce productivity.
How did the Best Workplaces respond to this new business reality?
The Great Place to Work® Institute identified 4 key trends which essentially represent flexibility in various domains to meet employees’ divergent needs!
1. Hybrid Working
As the pandemic accelerated existing trends in remote work, the Best Workplaces are using this opportunity to design a future workplace that is more effective than before. While they trust their employees with more control over where and when they work – depending on their personal needs – these companies all understand the added value of a connecting physical workspace next to a digital one. That is why the Best Workplaces are now formalising a hybrid work model that combines the best of both worlds: in-person work with some form of remote flexibility.
2. Well-being For All™
As the pandemic accentuated the diversity of work experiences across individuals, the Best Workplaces have stepped up their efforts to create a caring workplace culture. They put their employees’ overall well-being (physical, mental, financial, social and occupational) above profits, having genuine conversations with the people who work for them about what they need, and following through with the right resources. They succeed well in creating a psychologically safe working environment that allows for a personal touch, and they support all employees in developing a resilient mindset.
3. Employee Empowerment
In today’s turbulent business environment, change is happening all around us and is impossible to overlook. The Best Workplaces are able to adapt themselves fluently by building a high-trust learning culture. They empower their employees to continuously develop themselves and give them the agency to create their own learning paths according to their passions. They have a broad view of professional growth and support employees in any kind of movement – whether vertical, lateral or even cross-training to learn from another team.
4. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
The Best Workplaces are broadening their potential talent pool by seeking out candidates that are a culture fit - using their company values as the golden standard in hiring decisions. ‘Hire for attitude, train for skills’ has never been more important. Furthermore, they promote an inclusive workplace culture that does not merely have a diversity of people present – but it has a diversity of people equally involved, developed, and trusted by the business. In other words, the Best Workplaces install diversity, equity and inclusion as a central building block in their workplace culture – creating a consistent positive work experience For All™ employees, no matter who they are or what they do.
Inspired to build a better workplace and bring out the best in your employees?
Download here our full report and gain unique insights into the best practices of Belgium’s Best Workplaces 2022!
Do you also want to build a strong high-trust and innovative culture, for All?! Be sure to find out more about our way of working and the ways we can support you in your journey towards an even better workplace!