WorkForce Software Blog Enhance Employee Experience: Checklist for European Operational Leaders

No longer just the remit of HR, workforce management has become an important enabler of a successful operational strategy. This includes a focus on quality delivery of products and services, optimising productivity and identifying the root causes of performance issues, all whilst ensuring prudent cost management.Operational leaders in Europe who prioritise workforce management understand the need to keep a keen eye on managing schedules and reducing excessive labour costs whilst fostering a work environment conducive to employee satisfaction.Checklist for European Operational LeadersDesigned for those who manage their organisation's operations and front-line teams, use this handy checklist to help you prioritise and target the best ways to improve the experience of your workers.Get it HereInsightsInsights from the Third Annual Global Employee Experience Study reveal the importance of aligning operational strategies with workforce needs. The study surveyed employees and managers, highlighting what employees value and where their employers lack most, particularly in scheduling flexibility, training access and communication tools. As you strive to retain talent and optimise labour investments, these findings emphasise the urgent need for action. Failure to address these concerns risks exacerbating employee dissatisfaction and undermining organisational performance.Here are practical steps and technology functionalities to significantly enhance the areas your employees find most impactful for their experience in your organisation.SchedulingCommunicationsJob TrainingEmployee FeedbackEmployee RecognitionEmployees Want Scheduling FlexibilityChecklistImplement tools for employees to control their schedules and swap shifts to manage personal plans and sudden conflictUse rule-based preferences to schedule employees with the right skills at the right time, improving scheduling accuracy and satisfactionRefine scheduling practices and labour standards as operations mature and new processes and technology are adoptedFunctional CapabilitiesSchedule Management Access for EmployeesPredictive SchedulingDynamic Optmisation of Workforce SchedulingScheduling control is one of the most important aspects of employee experience. When employees have control of their schedules, they're less likely to experience burnout and unplanned absences-and more likely to be invested in their work and their employer.Employees Want Easy Communication and Collaboration ToolsChecklistEvaluate and implement mobile communication solutions that offer end-to-end encryption and are compliant with industry standardsIntegrate communication tools with existing workforce management systems to centralise information accessDevelop protocols for emergency communications, including regular drills and updates to contact informationFunctional CapabilitiesMobile-First Communication ToolsIntegrated Communication ChannelsEmergency Alert SystemsEffective communication is the cornerstone of employee engagement, operational efficiency and agility.Employees Want Easy Access to Training and InformationChecklistIdentify key skill gaps across departments and allocate resources for targeted training programsInvest in mobile-friendly learning management systems (LMS) that support micro-learning and incentivise engagementTrain workers in new skills, re-train team members needing extra details and up-skill workers in new talents at the time work happensFunctional CapabilitiesAutomated Skill MatchingOn-Demand Micro-LearningAdaptive Learning for On-the-Job Skill EnhancementInvesting in the development of your frontline staff not only grows their skillset but also nurtures their intrinsic desire to contribute, innovate and excel. They become more adaptable to changing operational demands, sparking inventive problem-solving and efficiency improvements.Employees Want Their Employer to Ask for Regular FeedbackChecklistSelect feedback tools that are intuitive and easily accessible for employees, encouraging regular useSet up and automate personalised feedback loops to regularly gather insights, allowing employees to share how they're doingCreate cross-functional teams responsible for analysing feedback and implementing changes based on employee input Functional CapabilitiesReal-Time Feedback MechanismsPulse SurveysFeedback-Driven Decision MakingA proactive approach to employee feedback is the lifeblood of transformational improvement within any organisation. It encourages a sense of ownership among employees, where they see themselves as integral contributors to the company's success.Employees Want to be Recognised For Their ContributionsChecklistPartner with HR to select and customise a digital recognition platform that aligns with your company cultureDefine clear performance metrics for achieving specific production-oriented goalsEnsure milestones and achievements are properly documented and celebrated across the organisationFunctional CapabilitiesDigital Recognition PlatformsPerformance-Based RewardsCelebration of MilestonesEmployee recognition directly influences morale, engagement and retention. When employees feel appreciated for their efforts and contributions, it reinforces their sense of value within the company. This not only boosts individual performance but also elevates team dynamics and operational productivity.Employees Want Scheduling FlexibilityChecklistImplement tools for employees to control their schedules and swap shifts to manage personal plans and sudden conflictUse rule-based preferences to schedule employees with the right skills at the right time, improving scheduling accuracy and satisfactionRefine scheduling practices and labour standards as operations mature and new processes and technology are adoptedFunctional CapabilitiesSchedule Management Access for EmployeesPredictive SchedulingDynamic Optmisation of Workforce SchedulingScheduling control is one of the most important aspects of employee experience. When employees have control of their schedules, they're less likely to experience burnout and unplanned absences-and more likely to be invested in their work and their employer.Employees Want Easy Communication and Collaboration ToolsChecklistEvaluate and implement mobile communication solutions that offer end-to-end encryption and are compliant with industry standardsIntegrate communication tools with existing workforce management systems to centralise information accessDevelop protocols for emergency communications, including regular drills and updates to contact informationFunctional CapabilitiesMobile-First Communication ToolsIntegrated Communication ChannelsEmergency Alert SystemsEffective communication is the cornerstone of employee engagement, operational efficiency and agility.Employees Want Easy Access to Training and InformationChecklistIdentify key skill gaps across departments and allocate resources for targeted training programsInvest in mobile-friendly learning management systems (LMS) that support micro-learning and incentivise engagementTrain workers in new skills, re-train team members needing extra details and up-skill workers in new talents at the time work happensFunctional CapabilitiesAutomated Skill MatchingOn-Demand Micro-LearningAdaptive Learning for On-the-Job Skill EnhancementInvesting in the development of your frontline staff not only grows their skillset but also nurtures their intrinsic desire to contribute, innovate and excel. They become more adaptable to changing operational demands, sparking inventive problem-solving and efficiency improvements.Employees Want Their Employer to Ask for Regular FeedbackChecklistSelect feedback tools that are intuitive and easily accessible for employees, encouraging regular useSet up and automate personalised feedback loops to regularly gather insights, allowing employees to share how they're doingCreate cross-functional teams responsible for analysing feedback and implementing changes based on employee input Functional CapabilitiesReal-Time Feedback MechanismsPulse SurveysFeedback-Driven Decision MakingA proactive approach to employee feedback is the lifeblood of transformational improvement within any organisation. It encourages a sense of ownership among employees, where they see themselves as integral contributors to the company's success.Employees Want to be Recognised For Their ContributionsChecklistPartner with HR to select and customise a digital recognition platform that aligns with your company cultureDefine clear performance metrics for achieving specific production-oriented goalsEnsure milestones and achievements are properly documented and celebrated across the organisationFunctional CapabilitiesDigital Recognition PlatformsPerformance-Based RewardsCelebration of MilestonesEmployee recognition directly influences morale, engagement and retention. When employees feel appreciated for their efforts and contributions, it reinforces their sense of value within the company. This not only boosts individual performance but also elevates team dynamics and operational productivity.of European employees believe their employer lags in adopting the latest technology like workplace experience or process automation tools.European Employees Dissatisfied by Outdated Technology in the Workplace | Ricoh, 2024Connecting workers' experiences to their digital technologies is the biggest revolution in employee experience, improving communication, satisfaction and retention. The trust you build with employees will be positively reflected in your organisation's productivity, efficiency and financial position.Access to company-approved, consumer-grade apps makes employees' working lives easier. Whether it's booking time off in a few clicks, accessing shift scheduling on a live dashboard, asking peers for how-to help, or alerting managers to issues with the touch of a button on their mobile device, employees not only appreciate digitalisation, they expect it.Gartner® Market Guide for Workforce ManagementT