The Growing Demand for Tech-Driven Employee Experience in 2024

A recent study conducted by Qualtrics, involving 37,000 global employees, has revealed that the majority of employees are in favour of their organisations introducing new technology, on the condition that it is used for the greater good. However, the significant question arising from this revelation is what exactly employees mean by “good”.

The study has demonstrated that employees are seeking improvements in their overall employee experience, along with opportunities for career growth and tools to assist in achieving their personal and professional goals. Interestingly, despite their openness to new technology, employees do not appear keen on the idea of using AI for performance management or hiring decisions.

It is evident that employee expectations are constantly evolving, and it is imperative for HR teams and employers to address this growing demand for tech-driven employee experience. There is a strong belief among employees that technology, particularly AI, has the potential to bring about significant improvements in productivity, task delegation, and the overall work environment.

According to Ronni Zehavi, Co-Founder and CEO at human resource platform HiBob, there is mounting pressure on businesses to integrate AI-driven tools. However, Zehavi emphasizes the importance of identifying genuine business needs before integrating new tools, and achieving a balance between innovation and user-friendly interfaces to ensure widespread use and benefits for all employees.

Looking forward, technology analyst firm Valoir predicts that 2024 will witness a closer integration of customer experience (CX) and employee experience (EX). This convergence could lead to workplace functions resembling the user-friendly apps that people love to use in their daily lives. Josh Bersin, an industry analyst, believes that if technology, including AI, is made easy to use, it will significantly enhance the value it brings to organisations.

One of the most significant changes predicted is the decline of traditional surveys in determining employee needs and preferences. Real-time voice and sentiment analysis are expected to take precedence over backward-looking data collection efforts, aligning with the growing trend of analysing sentiment and interactions rather than relying on traditional surveys or polls.

However, as the report highlights, it is not sufficient to just listen to employees; it is equally important to take action that will improve the overall organisation while benefiting the employees. The HR function is deemed a critical growth driver that should work towards synthesising employee desires with business leader expectations to achieve the year’s business goals and foster a workforce that remains loyal and creates memorable experiences for customers.

In conclusion, the demand for tech-driven employee experience is on the rise, and organisations need to be prepared to meet these evolving expectations. It is imperative to listen to employees, adopt AI-driven tools, and take action that benefits both the organisation and its employees. As businesses move forward into this new era of employee experience, it is vital to embrace new listening formats and ensure transparent and trust-driven processes to drive growth and success.

Author: Jill Barth, HR Tech Editor of Human Resource Executive