Improving Employee Engagement and Experience Tops HR Priorities – New Study by Workbuzz & HR Research Institute

According to new research from Workbuzz and HR.com’s HR Research Institute, enhancing employee engagement and experience is currently the foremost priority among HR professionals. However, this focus doesn’t exist in isolation. HR leaders also prioritize boosting worker productivity, attracting top talent, fostering a positive organizational culture, and promoting employee well-being.

The research also shows that better communication plays a role in addressing these HR priorities. It looks at both survey frequency and communication with frontline workers, who are typically harder to reach because they lack designated offices and computers. It turns out there is a positive correlation between the frequency of employee surveys and organizational success in key HR areas. Companies conducting surveys at least quarterly report significantly greater improvements in:

• Retention: 53% versus 21% for those surveying less frequently.

• Talent Attraction: 58% versus 27%.

• Productivity and Performance: 62% versus 30%.

• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB): 64% versus 43%.

The study also found that organizations that say their employee experience and engagement levels rose over the last year are much more likely to say it is easy or very easy to communicate with frontline workers (70% versus 20%). The bottom line is that better communication may well help drive improvements among these other top HR priorities.

“Employee engagement and communication are more than just buzzwords; they are a cornerstone of organizational success,” said Debbie McGrath, Chief Instigator and CEO of HR.com. “Organizations that prioritize them not only tend to retain their top talent better but also tend to see measurable improvements in productivity and overall performance. When employees feel heard and valued, businesses thrive.”

“Annual surveys are a start, but they’re not enough in today’s fast-paced workplace,” added Ryan Tahmassebi, People Science Director, WorkBuzz. “Organizations that create real-time feedback loops and maintain open communication channels are better equipped to respond to employee needs and drive engagement.”

The full research report, Trends in Employee Engagement 24/25, is available for free download and offers a detailed look at engagement practices and strategies to provide actionable insights to help HR practitioners and leaders to develop more sophisticated approaches that meet future needs.

HR professionals can also view the recorded session, Today’s Top HR Priorities and Practices Heading into 2025, to hear insights from a panel of experts that will provide guidance for navigating the complexities of managing today’s workforce.

About WorkBuzz

WorkBuzz offers flexible, simple and actionable surveys, helping organizations to reach and engage all their employees – wherever they are, and whatever they do. Get real-time feedback from your people, track employee engagement and experience, and make more informed, data-driven people decisions. Create a culture where every voice matters, and every person can reach their full potential.

About HR.com and the HR Research Institute

The HR Research Institute (HRRI) helps you keep your finger on the pulse of HR! Powered by HR.com, the world’s largest HR community, the HRRI identifies key trends and best practices to help more than 2 million HR professionals and their organizations make strategic decisions with informed and insightful research findings. Among the most productive and respected HR research institutes globally, the HRRI publishes dozens of high-quality reports every year across a wide array of HR topics. HR.com’s free membership offers many benefits, including access to over 250 exclusive primary research, state-of-the-industry reports, and infographics. These resources are published based on surveys developed with the assistance of a panel of thought leaders and industry experts on the advisory boards. Visit hr.com/hrresearchinstitute to maximize your HR potential.

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