Employee experience will be the top priority of most Filipino employers in the post pandemic world as it is seen to drive productivity and overall business performance, according to a survey.
Based on the results of the 2021 Employee Experience Survey by global advisory firm Willis Towers Watsons, 95 percent of Philippine employers said enhancing the employee experience will be an important priority in their organization over the next three years with 65 percent indicating it as important prior to the pandemic.
The results show that 89 percent of respondents said a positive employee experience will be a key driver or engagement, while 88 percent said this will contribute to productivity and overall business performance.
In addition, 87 percent of the respondents also said that positive employee experience will also drive employee wellbeing.
“Whether it’s due to employer actions such as pay reductions and layoffs or because of virtual work and personal hardships for some, the pandemic exposed shortfalls in the employee experience at many organizations. Many employers are not equipped to deal with these challenges,” said Lee Briones, Employee Insights Leader, Philippines, Willis Towers Watson.
“Our study reveals that 40 percent of organizations have an undefined or a basic approach to the employee experience that is not aligned to the business strategy. Enhancing the employee experience has therefore become an imperative for organisations and it’s one that will take time,”Briones added.
Willis Towers Watson emphasized that as the pandemic continues to run its course in the country, the stress on employee experience will not go away anytime soon.
“Employers recognized that this elongated return will require a clear focus on three areas: a change in work model, prioritizing wellbeing and aligning total rewards programs to diverse employee needs,”the company said.
In line with this, around 87 percent of respondents recognize that the new realities of the labor markets will require a hybrid model for many roles.
While many employers have begun the process of change, only 61 percent are flexible about where or when work gets done 70 percent are in the process of reimagining careers in response to changes in the way work is accomplished.
In addition, Willis Towers Watson said more than half or 61 percent of employers are segmenting the company’s Total Rewards solution, aimed at empowering the workforce, to account for a different workforce profile.
“As organizations look ahead to a post-pandemic era, their ability to move the needle on the employee experience will be critical. To succeed, they must start with a bold employee experience strategy that supports their business strategy and is based on a consistent model.Then, they can turn to execution – adapting programs and policies reflective of flexible work, paying employees fairly, enhancing benefit delivery and wellbeing programs, supporting workers in a more agile and flexible workspace, and aligning Total Rewards programs to meet the needs of a diverse workforce,”Lee added.