Employee Engagement and Experience Top HR Priorities for 2025, Study Reveals

As organizations prepare for 2025, a new study conducted by Workbuzz and HR.com's HR Research Institute has identified enhancing employee engagement and experience as the top priority for HR professionals. The research, which explores current trends in employee engagement, underscores the interconnected nature of HR priorities and the significant role of communication in addressing these challenges.

The study reveals that HR leaders are not solely focused on engagement and experience, but are also prioritizing increased worker productivity, talent attraction, fostering a positive organizational culture, and promoting employee well-being. These findings suggest a holistic approach to human resource management is becoming increasingly necessary in today's rapidly evolving workplace landscape.

One of the most striking revelations from the research is the positive correlation between the frequency of employee surveys and organizational success in key HR areas. Companies that conduct surveys at least quarterly report significantly greater improvements across various metrics compared to those surveying less frequently. For instance, 53% of organizations conducting frequent surveys saw improvements in retention, compared to only 21% of those surveying less often. Similar disparities were observed in talent attraction (58% vs. 27%), productivity and performance (62% vs. 30%), and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) efforts (64% vs. 43%).

The study also highlights the importance of effective communication with frontline workers, who often lack designated offices and computers, making them harder to reach. Organizations reporting increased employee experience and engagement levels over the past year were much more likely to find it easy or very easy to communicate with frontline workers (70% vs. 20%). This finding emphasizes the critical role of inclusive communication strategies in driving overall organizational success.

Debbie McGrath, Chief Instigator and CEO of HR.com, emphasized the significance of these findings, stating, "Employee engagement and communication are more than just buzzwords; they are a cornerstone of organizational success." She further noted that organizations prioritizing these aspects tend to retain top talent better and see measurable improvements in productivity and overall performance.

Ryan Tahmassebi, People Science Director at WorkBuzz, added insight on the frequency of feedback, noting that annual surveys are insufficient in today's fast-paced workplace. He stressed the importance of real-time feedback loops and open communication channels in responding to employee needs and driving engagement effectively.

The implications of this research are far-reaching for organizations across industries. As businesses navigate the complexities of the modern workforce, the findings suggest that investing in robust employee engagement strategies and frequent, inclusive communication can yield significant benefits. These include improved retention rates, enhanced ability to attract top talent, increased productivity, and stronger DEIB outcomes.

For HR professionals and organizational leaders, the study provides a clear directive: prioritize employee engagement and experience, implement frequent feedback mechanisms, and ensure effective communication with all employees, including frontline workers. By doing so, organizations can create a more responsive, productive, and inclusive work environment that is better equipped to meet the challenges of the coming years.

As the workforce continues to evolve, the insights from this study offer a roadmap for organizations looking to strengthen their human resource strategies. By focusing on engagement, experience, and communication, businesses can create a foundation for success that extends beyond HR metrics to overall organizational performance and competitiveness in an increasingly dynamic marketplace.