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What Employees Really Want At Work

What Employees Really Want At Work
by Alan Kohll

Throughout the years, employees’ desires and demands have evolved, and it can be challenging for companies to keep up. Employers are bombarded with a wide range of trendy tips for keeping different generations of workers happy. But when it comes to attracting and retaining top talent, employers need to understand what employees really want from a company. While we all know that competitive pay and good benefits factor into an employee’s decision to join and stay at a company, there are many other overlooked desires that are more important than a paycheck.

To truly enjoy their jobs, employees must feel that their employers respect them and will provide them with what they need to be successful in both their professional and personal lives. The 2018 Global Talent Trends study by Mercer revealed a few employee desires that many organizations seem to be missing.

The study took a multi-perspective approach and collected input from 800 business executives and 1,800 HR leaders, as well as 5,000-plus employees across 21 industries and 44 countries around the world. Mercer gathered these voices to analyze how both employers and employees are reimagining the future of work. The study identified top talent trends, which can be useful for companies who are trying to stay ahead of the game when it comes to employee satisfaction.


Among the findings, Mercer identified three factors that employees and job candidates are looking for in a company. This included permanent workplace flexibility, a commitment to health and well-being and working with a purpose.

Permanent Flexibility

It’s clear that the strict nine-to-five workday is outdated – and it won’t help employers attract or maintain today’s top talent. The 2018 Global Talent Trends study found that 51% of employees wish their company offered more flexible work options. No matter the industry, flexibility is incredibly important to employees and job seekers across the nation. Companies that offer employees flexibility in the form of telecommuting, flexible schedules and unlimited PTO help employees maintain a positive work-life balance. Flexibility has also been shown to reduce workplace stress, boost mental well-being and encourage productivity.

Read full article on Forbes.