Employer/employee workplace experience ratings show the gap is closing

There is evidence that employees and employers are aligning on more areas at work. A new Workforce Experience Gap study shows that closer alignment was found in areas such as job training, pay rates, schedule flexibility, and employee recognition.

“Understanding your employees’ needs and addressing them in a way that supports business requirements will result in a more productive and motivated workforce and will help retain and recruit top talent across all levels and job roles,” says Mike Morini, CEO of WorkForce Software. “Organizations that continue to work towards closing the experience gap will benefit immensely. A company’s greatest asset is the employees, so ensuring you are on the same page as they are and working towards a common goal is extremely important in today’s competitive market.”

Most managers and employees agree that schedule flexibility is essential to job satisfaction. However, many report that their companies do not offer a flexible, predictable, and accessible scheduling process — making it difficult for these employees to feel they have control in their personal and professional lives. Other findings include:

• 79% of employees surveyed say they would prefer an organization that offered more flexibility over one that did not.
• 39% of employees and 43% of managers report that their companies do not offer flexible scheduling.
• 55% of employees experience changes in shift patterns weekly.
• Only 25% report that their organizations utilize online scheduling software.
• The reduction in the gap in employer and employee perceptions on flexible scheduling was due to 82% of employers reporting they offered flexible scheduling in 2021 versus only 56% reporting they did in 2022.

Related: A simple factor such as job flexibility could improve health care access

Employees also value feedback with 75% saying they would choose to work for an employer who regularly asked or feedback over one who did not. While 61% of employees report regular feedback loops ranging from every three months to anytime in the moment via mobile device, 33% report they provided feedback either once a year or never, indicating some organizations are still isolating their employees through outdated processes.

“As the workplace continues to evolve, it’s imperative that employees and employers grow closer in meeting expectations when it comes to the workplace experience,” adds Morini.