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Want happier employees? New research says it's time to get personal

By: Brandpoint

September 26, 2024 at 08:01 AM EDT

(BPT) - In an eye-opening look at workplace well-being, researchers have found that only one-third (28%) of knowledge workers globally say they have a healthy relationship with their jobs.

The culprit, according to HP's 2024 Work Relationship Index (WRI), is an outdated, one-size-fits-all approach to the employee experience. The data shows that offices, company culture, tools and leadership styles have remained nearly the same while the world's expectations of work have evolved. To keep up, businesses must prioritize what today's workers really want. (Hint: It's not just free snacks.)

The future of work? It's personal

Gone are the days of cookie-cutter career experiences. Modern employees are looking to be treated as individuals, rather than simply part of a collective workforce. According to HP's 2024 WRI, at least two-thirds of knowledge workers and business leaders want tailored professional experiences, meaning choices across workspaces, tools, schedules and trainings that meet their unique needs and goals. It's all about options, customization and autonomy.

And if you think this only applies to the younger generation, think again. While more than 70% of Gen Z and Millennials say more personalized work would improve their overall well-being and relationship with work, more than 65% of Gen X and more than 55% of Boomers agreed, too.

"This shift toward personalization reveals crucial insights for employers," said Anneliese Olson, senior vice president and managing director, North America, HP. "Tailored experiences could be the key to unlocking workforce potential and employee longevity."

Harnessing AI's workplace potential

AI usage at work has exploded among knowledge workers and emerged as one tool helping create more personalized work experiences. The study found that nearly 7-in-10 (69%) knowledge workers who use AI agree they can customize their use of AI to be more productive. Many knowledge workers who used AI in 2024 saw other benefits too, including better work-life balance, new opportunities to enjoy their careers, and 73% said AI makes their jobs easier. Notably, the Work Relationship Index score for knowledge workers who use AI is 11 points higher than that of their colleagues who don't.

Trust at the top

Today's workers want a company they can believe in. They seek out strong, confident leaders who will make the right decisions for them and their businesses. In fact, trust in senior leadership was one of the most influential factors in determining WRI scores, highlighting the pivotal role executives play in shaping the employee experience. Despite a clear demand for bold leadership, the data found that less than half (44%) of business leaders felt confident in their "human skills," including mindfulness, self-awareness, communication, creative thinking, resilience, emotional intelligence and empathy; and only 42% were confident in their hard or technical skills.

Women leaders, however, emerged as a bright spot in the research, displaying greater confidence in both human and hard skills compared to their male counterparts. In fact, female business leaders were found to be 10 points more confident in their hard skills, and most notably 13 points more confident in human skills than their male counterparts.

Empathy and the employee experience

Feeling seen and heard by management is another top priority for workers across generations - and one that greatly impacts not only their desire to stay put, but also their overall well-being and their professional growth. It all comes down to empathy. The 2024 HP WRI data shows that while 78% of knowledge workers say it's important to have senior leadership who demonstrate empathy, only 28% say their executives consistently demonstrate it. This empathy disconnect is further underscored at the leadership level. While many leaders lack confidence in their human skills, at least 90% acknowledge empathy's positive impact on employee well-being, professional growth and retention.

"Today's workforce wants so much more than a paycheck," said Olson. "The 2024 HP Work Relationship Index (WRI) highlights a clear demand for choice, individualization and a human-first approach to leadership. To realize this vision, we need empathic leaders and the right technologies to meet these evolving needs. The moment has arrived for businesses to fundamentally redefine relationships with work."

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Want happier employees? New research says it's time to get personal

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