Our workplaces have changed more than ever in the last decade - and the way we work has shifted irrevocably. Whether it’s a realisation that more people want (and need) a better work/life balance, or the rise of the office beer pong tournament to foster better cohesion for staff, employees want to be able to perform to the best of their ability, whilst still being lifted up by their managers. 

Here are 6 great employee engagement trends that are creating a better work environment in 2024. 

Building better DEI policies 

Fostering better employee engagement happens much more easily when there are great DEI policies in place for everyone. When workers from different places, ethnicities, traditions, and social standpoints come together - it creates a wonderful melting pot of creativity and free thinking. Everyone can offer their fresh perspective on topics - and different ways to problem solve. The result is much better DEI, company growth, and a more innovative, creative, and engaged workforce.

Workplace wellness and cohesion

Throughout 2024 we’re seeing more companies take up workplace wellness strategies, in lots of different formats. It’s vitally important - employees spend a great deal of time in their workplace and their health will have an impact on their ability to perform to the best levels. 

Corporate wellness programs and ways for employees to bond away from their desks - including instigating fantastic corporate challenges that can help to bring employees and other stakeholders closer together, are now the moral responsibility of a business. 

Indeed, such is the demand for well trained event staff, temporary event managers and corporate hospitality teams that companies such as We Are Massive are thriving. They take the strain while employees benefit from a well run challenge event.

Employees becoming brand ambassadors

These days, employees have a much larger role in corporate branding than they ever have before. This is down to tech and the rise of social media. They’ve changed how companies approach branding and advertising and it’s one way for employees to become more engaged and have some fun too. Often, employees will influence their followers and can become a brand’s voice, which can improve their engagement, inspire productivity, and foster a greater sense of connection between the company and colleagues. 

Millennials and Gen-Z-friendly engagement

Blanket, one-size-fits-all benefits packages are no more. For better employee engagement it’s better that they’re tailored to every generation of the workforce. Of course, younger workers have different financial concerns to older employees - and so there will be more focus on making strides to ensure everyone is catered for, no matter what stage of life they’re at.

However, we’re at a juncture in which millennials already form the largest section of the workforce - and Gen Zers are hot on their heels. Times change and so do the ways in which employees want to be rewarded. A carriage clock after 25 years of service isn’t going to cut it anymore! 

Millennial and Gen Z workplace benefits might include breakout and gaming rooms, kitchens fitted with coffee makers and panini presses, free fruit every day, paid memberships to gyms, etc - days off on your birthday or other unexpected perks. 

Reskilling and upskilling employees 

Today, employees are concerned about career progression above all else - and want a job that helps them grow professionally as well as personally. Therefore reskilling and upskilling figure highly in employee engagement trends for 2024. Employees these days tend to shy away from companies where growth is stagnant - or where they sense there’s no room for progression or growth. Employers therefore have to invest more in learning and development programs and proper mentoring programs for everyone on their team. 

This could come in the form of teaching employees new tech skills or sending staff to specific training courses to improve their career progression. It’s a win-win strategy for all. Upskilling and reskilling efforts mean employees at every stage of their career feel valued, and cared for - and that they can perform their jobs to the very best of their ability. 

Giving more time to feedback from employees

Giving employees more of a voice in the workplace to help reduce stress levels and enable constructive discussion, is becoming de rigeur. There’s going to be an increase in engagement opportunities such as worker surveys, face-to-face discussions, and spaces in which employees can anonymously create and contribute suggestions to make the workspace a better place to be (without judgement). These ideas show that company leadership is listening to and understanding their staff's needs as best they can. 

This kind of activity empowers employees - not only that, it enables companies to make informed decisions about the business that will have a positive effect on the workforce and develop a much more involved, cohesive team.