The billion-dollar team management system startup Slack conducted a survey of over 1,000 employees to find the answer to the question: What do employees need from an ideal work environment?

Clearly, candidates have the advantage and are proactive in the recruitment market. They have the right to choose which company to apply to and are ready to leave if a company does not meet their needs and expectations in the job.

Therefore, to attract new candidates and retain talented employees, businesses clearly need to strive to create an ideal work environment that satisfies employee needs. However, the question arises: What constitutes an ideal work environment? What elements do employees need from an ideal work environment?

To find the answers to these questions, Slack conducted a survey of 1,400 knowledge workers across the United States, including 500 Slack users. With this survey, Slack aimed to understand employees' current work environments and their aspirations for an ideal work environment.

The results show that there are three factors employees desire from their work environment: trust and transparency, relationships and connections with colleagues, and work management tools.

1. Trust and transparency in business.

Employees are very concerned about a company's transparency. For some employees, transparency helps them build trust, feel secure, and eliminates worries about being treated unfairly, disrespected, or deceived.

Other employees believe that transparency helps them develop their skills at work. When job requirements, desired outcomes, and necessary skills are transparent, employees have the opportunity to learn new skills and take on tasks that go beyond their comfort zone.

Things employees want to know about transparency include:

  • Businesses: transparency in finances, development strategies, and the decision-making process of senior management.

  • Career: internal information, career progression paths, company-organized events related to professional skill development.

  • Competitors: market trends, external events.

Here are some impressive statistics about transparency in businesses, according to a Slack survey.

  • 87% of employees want to see a clear vision of the company's future.

  • 80% are interested in the decision-making basis of leadership.

  • 55% of business owners say their company is “very transparent,” but only 18% of their employees acknowledge this.

  • 37% of managers and 38% of employees ranked harmony as an important factor in connecting with colleagues.

Transparency isn't just about how management releases information. It also relates to whether employees within the company are aware of what's happening in other departments. Wise leaders will readily adopt a transparent work style because it fosters employee growth and engagement. Furthermore, transparency helps employees connect with each other while still allowing them to work independently and autonomously.

Some methods to increase transparency include:

  • Honesty at work

  • Transparency regarding work results

  • Dismantle the silo structure.

  • Transparency from the recruitment process

  • Use supporting tools

2. Relationships and connections with colleagues

According to organizational psychologist Adam Grant, connection at work improves personal happiness and increases productivity. Slack's research shows that 91% of employees desire closer contact with their colleagues, while nearly 85% prefer connection with colleagues who are physically distant.

To learn more about how employees stay connected, Slack researched workplace communication satisfaction levels. The results showed that nearly a quarter of employees said they were dissatisfied with the state of communication at their company, including how information is shared.

When asked what they could do to change this situation, two issues were raised:

  • There are better ways to communicate.

  • More collaboration

One fairly understandable reason why communication tools are prioritized is that most companies use email as a means of communicating and sharing information within the business. However, the nature of email is not to communicate quickly, causing delays in the work process. Up to 80% of employees say they wish their colleagues would respond to emails faster.

Dissatisfaction with traditional media tools is not only prevalent among young people – the Millennials – but also among older generations, specifically Boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) and Gen X (those born between 1965 and 1980).

Below are the statistical results for each generation group in response to the question: "Are you satisfied with your current communication tools at work?".

  • 16% of Millennials are dissatisfied.

  • 13% of Gen X are dissatisfied.

  • 12% of Boomers are dissatisfied.

This shows that the need for communication, specifically communication tools within the business, is something that employees of all ages care about and value. A work environment that allows employees to communicate quickly is always more comfortable and efficient than one where they are constantly waiting. Therefore, businesses should have solutions to improve the communication experience within the company, seeking ways to connect all members across different geographical locations.

Some statistics about engagement and interaction within businesses might surprise you:

  • 43% of employees want to adopt modern work communication software.

  • 52% of employees want communication processes to be improved.

  • 50% of employees want to work in a collaborative environment.

Here are some methods to help improve communication in the workplace:

  • Building trust within the business.

  • Motivating employees to communicate.

  • Cultural communication about open communication

  • Always listen and be available promptly.

  • Always support your employees.

3. The effectiveness of task management tools

With task management tools, employees can easily manage their time spent on tasks and projects. This allows them to organize their work to fit their personal schedules and communicate effectively with colleagues. In a survey, Slack found that 87% of participants believed task management software helped them work more productively. Using task management tools also helps them connect with colleagues and improve workplace relationships.

Task management tools also affect employee morale. Accordingly:

  • 83% said they were satisfied with having management tools.

  • 73% said it made them feel less lonely.

  • 74% said that management tools made them feel more engaged in their work.

In today's work environment, self-discipline and proactiveness are highly valued, and management tools are essential for ensuring that all activities are both independent and under control. Possessing work management tools also demonstrates that your business is dynamic and knows how to apply technology to its work, aligning with global trends.

The criteria for selecting task management software include:

  • Provide reports on work results and progress.

  • You can set real-time deadlines and prioritize tasks.

  • The work can be divided among multiple people for independent projects.

  • Supports a to-do list display interface.

Source: HR Insider 4.0