Employees are more than just cogs in a machine. They’re individuals with unique needs and aspirations. To foster a positive work environment and drive employee satisfaction, it’s essential to understand what truly motivates them. Beyond the obvious perks like salary and benefits, there are deeper-seated expectations that employees have of their C-suite leaders. Let’s dive into the top eight things employees want from their leadership but may not always vocalize.
Top employee expectations
1.Better technology
Technology is the backbone of modern work. Employees expect tools that are not only functional but also enhance their productivity and efficiency. Unfortunately, many still grapple with outdated or malfunctioning technologies that hinder their ability to perform their jobs effectively
The challenge for businesses is to stay ahead of the curve. This means investing in cutting-edge technologies that streamline workflows, improve collaboration, and support remote work. From cloud solutions and telephony systems to office management software and mobile applications, the right tools can significantly boost employee morale and productivity.
Fortunately, today’s business technology offers unprecedented flexibility and affordability. With hosted solutions, businesses can access powerful tools without the need for costly hardware investments. By prioritizing technology that meets the needs of their employees, companies can create a more efficient, enjoyable, and competitive work environment.
2. Mobility and flexibility
Millennials make up 36% of the American workforce. Unlike their predecessors, Millennials grew up with the Internet for the majority of their lives. Technology skills are practically second nature for this generation, and they’re constantly using this knowledge to look for ways to achieve a better work-life balance. They have just as many ambitions outside the office as they do in it.
More than any other generation, Millennials want mobile software and technology to support their “work smarter, not harder” mentality. They’re comfortable with it, and they get more done when they have the freedom and flexibility to work the hours they want. More often than not, this autonomy makes millennials even more productive.
3. Work-life balance
Ultimately, mobility and flex scheduling come down to better work-life balance. A report done by Scoop at the end of 2023 shows that companies that were fully flexible between 2020 and 2022 saw their revenue grow by 21%, much higher than the 5% growth recorded by those that required in-person work. Even better, flexible work arrangements enable firms to cut costs through office expenses.
The key benefits of providing a flexible schedule and telecommuting capability include:
- Reduced absenteeism
- Lower turnover rate, higher loyalty and longer tenure
- Improved employee health
- Greater productivity
- Lower overheads
4. Organization
You know the saying “a happy home is an organized home”? The same goes for the office. People are process-oriented beings who like order and predictability (in the workplace, at least).
The challenge faced by companies today is finding a way to build structure in both the physical and digital realms of business. Without logical processes that align with department responsibilities and goals, an effective system for accessing and storing files, and clearly defined expectations, employees feel like they’re juggling a vague number of duties. The stress of dropping the ball on even one of these tasks makes for an unpleasant work situation.
Organization begins with the leadership team and trickles down through the rest of the organization. Set your team up for success with universal workplace management software to wrangle information and better interpret how each department is performing.
5. Continued education
“By providing L&D opportunities for employees, companies can help reduce burnout, boost employee engagement, and drive job satisfaction,” says Charlie Schilling, President of Enterprise Business and Workforce Development at Emeritus in a Forbes article.
“Another huge benefit to companies that invest in continuing education is that it allows them to stay competitive in emerging fields and topics,” Schilling added.
By providing L&D opportunities for employees, companies can help reduce burnout, boost employee engagement, and drive job satisfaction. —
Charlie Schilling, President of Enterprise Business and Workforce Development at Emeritus
Schilling says that when companies invest in upskilling programs, it can contribute to a stronger employer brand externally, which attracts new hires who are culturally aligned and driven by long-term professional growth.
As you know, successful people are insatiable learners — we want to become top experts in our trade. Like you, your employees want to be innovators, able to walk into a room of peers and lead the conversation. Be it certification programs, seminars, webinars or opportunities to earn additional degrees, the modern-day professional is extremely hungry for more knowledge.
6. Respect
Positive reinforcement and respect makes employees feel safe, valued and fairly treated. And a work environment with these attributes inspires innovation. The equation is simple: the more respected and appreciated employees feel, the more likely they are to share their ideas and raise the bar.
But employees don’t just want to get respect — they want a reason to give respect. They want a leadership team worthy of their hard work and loyalty. They want a company they can feel proud of, and that ball is in the C-suite’s court.
7. Parental leave and childcare
Women make up about just under 50% of the U.S. workforce today but the desire for parental leave isn’t just for working moms. Gender roles have dramatically changed over the past few decades, and fathers are sharing just as much of the parenting responsibility as mothers. And yet, the minimum required paid maternity leave in the U.S. is zero weeks. Not to mention, our current policies don’t cover new parents in adoption or surrogate scenarios. Moreover, the U.S. has fewer maternity leave protections and benefits than any other country in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), an international alliance that includes many of the world’s most developed and highest-income countries. However, many states, including California, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, and the non-state District of Columbia have created their own plans to offer paid maternity leave. Both mothers and fathers agree that nearby childcare would greatly improve their work experience.
8. Fewer meetings
Of employees the 2000 UK workers polled in a 2023 Craft Docs survey, a staggering 39% strongly agreed that they often felt anxious or worried when attending work meetings. The biggest underlying reason is that they feel they derive little value from the meetings when they could be doing something more productive. Imagine the most intense deadline hanging over your head like a guillotine poised to execute, and you must drop everything for a “weekly round-up” that could be conveyed by email and reviewed at a more convenient time. Nerve-wracking, isn’t it?
Of course, meetings are an integral part of any business. While it’s impossible to give up this necessity, it’s important to keep meetings quick and efficient with streamlined agendas and a hard end-time.
Give your people what they want
If there is one certainty in business, it’s that the landscape is only growing more complex, competitive and fast-paced. Now, more than ever, you need to protect the talent you have, draw the best new industry talent in and nurture innovation from within. The only way to find out what your people really want and need is to ask them.
Uplifting an entire company culture will involve working through pain points from the ground up. But the benefits of a happy work environment are inarguable, and the potential of an elated employee is limitless.
By Gabi Bellairs-Lombard
Gabi is a London-based writer with 8 years of experience in copywriting and strategy across various verticals. She has been immersed in tech for two years, previously writing for a fintech company. Her specialities lie in long- and short-form writing, SEO writing and strategy, and market research. In her current role at Eptura, she covers the latest worktech and workplace experience trends.
