Employee experience: What not to do

Positive employee experience drives engagement and improves retention.

We spend a lot of time at work. Making it an enjoyable experience is a win-win.
It helps employers put their organisation in the spotlight and showcase how great they are to work for.

A poor employee experience is damaging to reputation and retention. 

You don’t want to be featured in the latest viral social media video about someone quitting their job. Yes, it is another trend. And no, it’s not pretty! There are even articles listing the best QuitTok videos.

There are many examples of great employee experience. Instead, we’re highlighting some of the bad ones as examples of what not to do. Some are so terrible they’re funny!

Here’s what not to do

Unrealistic work hours and commitment

One of the most famous leaders in the world reportedly told a group of newly-acquired employees that people who worked for him had to commit to making the business “extremely hardcore”. He insisted workers endured “long hours at high intensity” or leave. Apparently, his monitoring methods made employees wary of even taking a toilet break.

Denying basic needs

Reddit once asked the public about the most absurd work rules they’ve experienced. One reader messaged to say that at his workplace, people were only allowed to drink from a small cup, and they had to drink it immediately before disposing of the cup. They were also only allowed to drink water on their scheduled break. 

Micro-monitoring

The New York Times once reported about methods US employers were using to monitor employee productivity, including tracking mouse clicks and key strokes to check productivity levels. Apparently, they also had to take random photos to prove they were working.

Uncomfortable work environments

A UK company designed The standard toilet. It’s a toilet like no other. While it looks like a normal toilet, the seat is loped forward making it uncomfortable to sit on. Organisations have replaced their existing toilets with ‘The Standard Toilet’ to stop employees spending so much time in the bathroom, and more time at their desks working!

Overly strict rules around employee appearance

It’s understandable that employers expect employees to dress appropriately for the job. Yet some organisations have been known to take this a few steps too far. Until 2012, Disney had a strict policy that banned facial hair. Apparently, the organisation still maintains that all facial hair must be fully grown and kept within a quarter of an inch long. Disney is clearly not a fan of stubble! In a similar theme, Swiss bank UBS provides employees with a 43-page handbook detailing the business dress code, which includes what type of makeup to wear.

Wrapping up

Poor employee experience can lead to a toxic work culture. However, providing a great employee experience will help shape your employer brand. A strong employer brand will help engage, retain and attract talent, driving the success of your organisation.

Looking for more insights about talent attraction and engagement? Check out our employer resources.