A recent survey of over 5,000 employees across companies from the U.S., UK, Ireland, Germany, Australia, France, Canada, Singapore, Japan, and Colombia illuminates the challenges and opportunities around building a connected workforce in a hybrid world.
This research suggests that the future of work is creating ways for employees to connect with their company’s culture, purpose and each other. While there’s no single solution to improving connection across your workforce, the opportunity is to rebuild how we foster connection by offering a variety of tools, resources, and moments to do so. Below are three of the global highlights from our survey.
- Regardless of work preference, employees are seeking more meaningful ways to connect with each other. When given the choice, 52% of respondents would prioritize great relationships with their colleagues over a 10% salary increase. And while 70% feel connected to their company culture and 69% feel connected to their company’s mission or purpose, only 34% feel strongly connected to their colleagues.
- Connection boosts alignment, retention and the customer experience. 33% of flex employees find relationship-building and establishing connections to be the biggest challenge of working with a hybrid team. 66% of respondents who report having a close friend at work say that this impacts their intent to stay and 31% believe that connection amongst teams would help improve the customer experience.
- Employees need safe spaces where they can connect around shared experiences and through vulnerability. 43% of respondents would like to see their company invest in more team-building events in order to foster a strong culture.
