Facing pandemic-induced employee shortages and eroding staff loyalty, record numbers of employers are embracing workplace culture recognition programs as a way to boost morale and amplify hiring programs. Energage, the company behind the Top Workplaces program, added seven new regional awards, and reports a 44 percent increase in employee participation compared with the same period a year ago.
“Employers are feeling the pinch from all angles right now and our data shows a persistent reduction in employee engagement since the beginning of the year,” said Dan Kessler, president and chief operating officer of Energage. “Employees are rethinking their affiliations and are being selective in the search for a new job, creating fierce competition for organizations looking to quickly fill open positions. At the same time, leadership teams are working to contain the employee exodus taking place and trying to attract their customers back. Stress levels continue to remain high.”
As a result, workplace culture recognition programs, such as Top Workplaces, are being employed in record numbers. So far in 2021, Energage has surveyed employees from more than 4,500 companies, XX percent higher than 2020. Among regional awards whose winners have been determined so far this year, 17 have reached all-time high participation, including Michigan, Utah, Dallas-Fort Worth, Orlando and Charlotte.
In the past year, Top Workplaces has expanded to Arizona, New York City, Hawaii, Montana, Idaho, Rhode Island and Louisville. Energage powers the Top Workplaces program in 59 markets nationwide.
Top Workplaces helps employers build healthy companies with strong employee cultures. The program anonymously surveys employees and provides science-based insights and industry benchmarks to help employers improve in key areas. These results can be leveraged to benefit companywide efforts, especially in human resources and marketing.
“Those organizations that prioritize workplace culture by listening to their employees, putting them first, and including them in the tough decisions going forward will come out on top,” continued Kessler.
Showcasing a People-First Culture is Top Priority for HR and Marketing Leaders
Energage recorded record revenue for the first half of this year as demand increased for their Top Workplaces employer branding solutions. These solutions help companies showcase their culture, stand out from the competition with a trusted and authentic recognition, and boost their reputation.
Panda Restaurant Group, parent company of Panda Express, Panda Inn, and Hibachi-San, is leveraging its Top Workplace status to cement employee loyalty, bolster hiring, and make customers feel good about supporting the company.
“Since COVID-19, we’ve noticed that our associates are even more driven to get recognized as a Top Workplace,” said Kayo Asakura-Mendoza, program manager, human resources for Panda Restaurant Group. “It feels like our associates are more engaged now, and this helps us convey our brand message to the industry: we take care of our people.”
Panda spreads the word about its Top Workplaces designations by using the branding materials provided by Energage. “Our employees love putting the window clings on our doors and drive-through windows,” said Asakura-Mendoza. “Our guests say the award makes them feel good about supporting Panda, and they definitely help with recruitment.”
About Energage
Energage is a purpose-driven technology company that powers Top Workplaces, the premier employer recognition program. Analyzing data from a short, research-based employee survey, Energage identifies people-first Top Workplaces across the country, as well as regionally in partnership with 58 of the nation’s most reputable media outlets. National quarterly awards recognize Top Workplaces in culture-specific topics important to job seekers, such as Appreciation, Compensation, DE&I, Remote Work, Woman-Led, Work-Life Flexibility, and more. Energage empowers organizations to exceed the competition, evaluate where they stand in the market, and engage with employees. More than 70,000 organizations have completed over 23 million employee surveys, including some of the nation’s leading brands: Accenture, Ace Hardware, The Atlanta Hawks, Go Daddy, Facebook, Hubspot, Microsoft, Progressive Insurance, Salesforce and Wayfair. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com.
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