By Lalitha M Shetty, VP – Human Resources, Omega Healthcare
Employee engagement has taken precedence in today’s fast-paced business world, where competition is more intense than ever before and talent retention is crucial. According to Gallup’s latest insights on employee engagement, highly engaged teams exhibit an 18% reduction in turnover in organisations where the turnover rate is high. In organisations where turnover is relatively lower, highly engaged teams achieve a 43% lower turnover rate, and the benefits are even more pronounced. This demonstrates that not only are engaged employees happier and more fulfilled, but they also make major contributions to the expansion and success of their companies.
Companies now have a potent tool at their disposal to transform traditional employee experiences and develop a workforce that is highly motivated, productive, and committed. The dawn of artificial intelligence has not only improved decision-making and automated tasks, it also allows for individualized interactions and learning to change the employee experience. Artificial intelligence monitors well-being and expedites hiring, onboarding, and HR administration. These tools facilitate productivity and communication in remote work. All in all, technology transforms conventional experiences, enhancing human potential and encouraging creativity.
Understanding employee engagement
Employee engagement encompasses the emotional commitment and dedication an employee has towards their organisation and its goals. It goes beyond mere job satisfaction and reflects an employee’s enthusiasm, passion, and willingness to go the extra mile. Engaged employees are more likely to be proactive, creative, and loyal to the organisation, leading to improved performance and better business outcomes. Engaged employees are also more likely to deliver exceptional customer service, driving customer satisfaction and loyalty.
However, maintaining high levels of employee engagement presents several challenges for organisations. Factors such as poor communication, lack of recognition, limited opportunities for growth, and work-life balance issues can all contribute to disengagement among employees. Additionally, the rise of remote work has further complicated the task of keeping employees connected, motivated, and engaged.
The evolution of employee experiences
Employee experiences have typically been centered on standard procedures and one-size-fits-all methods. Most traditional employee engagement strategies include physical surveys, team-building activities, individual performance reviews and social events which can be time-consuming and tedious in the long run and cannot be carried out regularly. However, the rapid development of AI and other emerging technologies has revolutionised the way companies engage and empower their workforce and employers can now customise and personalise employee experiences to each employee’s particular requirements.
Artificial Intelligence has the power to completely transform the employee experience and streamline processes in all areas, including hiring, onboarding, periodic personalized interactions, performance reviews, learning & development, career advancement and provide invaluable insights into employee needs and preferences. Organisations can learn more about their employees’ behavioural patterns, preferences, and performance drivers by utilizing AI-driven insights and predictive analytics. With data gathered from these tools, companies can build more comprehensive engagement strategies for understanding and engaging their employees.
AI-powered solutions for employee engagement
Organisations nowadays have a wide range of options at their disposal for customising and improving employee engagement through Artificial Intelligence.
Traditional recruitment processes, for example, often involve manual resume screening, lengthy interview schedules, and administrative tasks that consume valuable time and resources. However, AI-driven recruitment platforms are transforming this landscape by automating repetitive tasks, identifying top talent more efficiently, and enhancing the overall candidate experience. AI algorithms help recruiters to analyze vast amounts of data to identify patterns and predict candidate success, leading to more informed hiring decisions. Additionally, AI-powered chatbots can engage with candidates in real-time, providing personalised support and information throughout the application and onboarding process.
Virtual assistants, for instance, can improve communication and shorten response times by giving staff members immediate access to resources, information, and assistance. To promote a culture of appreciation and recognition, managers require AI-driven feedback and recognition platforms to promptly provide feedback and acknowledge their team members. Virtual assistants powered by AI can also address common HR inquiries, provide access to relevant policies and procedures, and even offer personalised recommendations for stress management and self-care.
Several businesses have started using AI-powered tools to monitor and control employee engagement. For example, a lot of businesses these days collaborate with third-party applications and HR chatbots that use real-time advanced analytics and machine learning algorithms to assess employee satisfaction, sentiment, well-being, and engagement levels. Employers can use this to pinpoint problem areas, take proactive measures to fix them before they escalate, and enhance the employee work experience by implementing targeted interventions.
To conclude, from recruitment and onboarding to ongoing engagement, continuous development and even during pre and post exit engagement, AI is reshaping every aspect of the employee journey. AI’s importance in promoting employee engagement, personalising interactions, streamlining processes and driving continuous improvement will only increase as companies continue to manage the complexity of today’s workforce & their aspirations.
With the assistance of AI and cutting-edge technology, organisations hold the potential to create a more meaningful, rewarding, and personalised employee experience that boosts engagement, productivity, retention and business success by leveraging AI-driven insights. As technology and workplace continues to evolve, it is essential for organisations to stay competitive by embracing the power of AI, to foster a culture of innovation and create a workplace where employees feel empowered and thrive to drive business success.