.png)
Here comes the million-dollar question from World Employer Branding Day 2019 Country Partner for Hungary, Brandfizz:
Do you know what's on your employees' wish list from your company this Christmas (and it's more than just money)? Or are you too busy shooting images or videos at this time of the year to know?
Many still think it is just the compensation and benefit package candidates really care about. At Brandfizz, we are driven to build our partners’ employer brand by developing their employee experience.
In our 2018 Employee Need vs. Experience quantitative research of more than 3000 office staff we found that money only ranks in 3rd or 4th place among most respondents as what they are seeking in their employment experience.
In the IT sector, software developers ranked 'compensation and benefits' 6th on their priority list of attributes they seek when choosing an employer. Furthermore, the research found developers are willing to accept an offer 10-15 percent below their market value, if a company delivers key employee experience priorities on their wish list.
So, let’s take a look what to put under the company Christmas tree in your employee experience package, or should I say, stocking, this year to fuel engagement in 2019.
#1 A culture of appreciation
On top of the employee experience wish list is having stimulating tasks that bring 'a sense of belonging to the bigger picture' and a 'feeling of leaving a mark'. Companies where appreciation and positive energy are the norms rather than the exceptions, can create an organizational culture where employees are happy to talk with enthusiasm about their jobs to their friends.
#2 Career opportunities
The second item on our wish list is a 'clear career path.' Your career shouldn’t depend on who you have coffee with most. Transparency in development opportunities is a top priority. Employees will stay if they feel they have a place to grow.
#3 Time to develop oneself
Becoming increasingly more important to top talent is providing them with time to 'work on themselves' and it is also an essential item on our wish list. Experimenting on hobby projects while at work adds to the sense of having the 'freedom to develop' oneself. It isn’t an accident that hackathon events are becoming more popular in sectors other than IT.
+1 …and a ribbon to tie it all up: office extras
By adapting Maslow's pyramid to employee experience, when the top level is achieved, adding a few elements of fun in the office can make your employees feel extra special. You know the drill. Chill rooms, complimentary coffee, dry cleaners, beauty salons, swings and slides in the office space are all things colleagues like to brag about to their friends. Adding a little sparkle to your employer brand always goes a long way.
Are we saying money doesn’t matter, I hear you ask?
No, money does matter, financial stability is significant. However, the more important question is, 'Why do our colleagues choose to come to the office each day?' Which is why, more than just money needs to be on your company wish list this Christmas.
The team at Brandfizz wish you wonderful holidays and healthy and happy employees in 2019!
Add a little sparkle every day, make sure you are a good Santa and know your employees’ needs this Christmas. At this time of the year, fill their Christmas stockings with experiences that make their time at your company in 2019, the time of their lives.