Employee experience is a worker’s perceptions about his or her journey through all the touchpoints at a particular company, starting with job candidacy through to the exit from the company. The company’s physical workspace, culture and technology are all important components of the employee experience, which is often abbreviated as EX.
Employee perceptions and experiences will affect every other aspect of a company’s processes. Happy employees who perceive their experience as good are more engaged and complete tasks more effectively and efficiently.
The aim of EX is to make employees excited, proud, happy and confident about their work and the company they work for. Organisations capable of doing this create a positive EX, while companies that fall short may deliver a negative or unexciting one. It’s an outcome largely influenced by a company’s willingness and ability to meet and exceed employee needs, expectations and standards.
Employee experience is internal, not just physical
“Employee experience” is a dangerously broad term, one easily misconstrued as meaning expensive perks and flashy offices. While cold brew on-tap and weekly happy hours are nice additions to the workplace, they do not necessarily equal a healthy, positive employee experience. In fact, without a strong foundation, these perks can erode positivity and create a culture of entitlement.
Employee experience is internal, not just Digital
We are aware that we are repeating. Maybe we’ll repeat it one more time. Digital Employee Experience; otherwise known as DEX. Just like it sounds, DEX aims to convey the impact of the digital workplace on its employees. The digital employee experience encompasses how employees work, what tools and technology they use, and the culture they exist within. We all agree that it is very necessary. But we insist that technological tools are a supporter of the intangible experience that the company offers.
Employee experience is a reflection of culture
The answer to the question of what we should do to create a great employee experience is clear: You should be on your way to becoming a great company. Employee experience is a long-term journey. It is never a project. It starts with the advertisement you prepare to attract candidates and continues until the Alumni meetings. It is the first day experience. It is the attitude you show in the exit interview. It goes far beyond ergonomic desks and smart software.