What Success Looks Like in Digital Workplaces

First published in theHRDIRECTOR, March Edition, 2025. Reproduced with permission.

Interestingly, the preferred metric for measuring digital workplace success is effectiveness, rather than efficiency. Traditionally, workplace effectiveness has been evaluated through metrics like space utilization, employee engagement scores and retention rates. However, a study has revealed that a shift toward measuring factors like employee sentiment and satisfaction, reflect a growing recognition of the importance of these elements in business success. In particular, the study found a notable increase in the emphasis on employee satisfaction – rising by 14
percent in 2024 compared with eight percent in 2023. Implementing new technologies is crucial to supporting this shift and accurately measuring workplace effectiveness. However, introducing workplace technology without first considering the employee experience is a missed opportunity. Enhancing the employee digital experience is about ensuring that the tools and systems used in the workplace are intuitive, user-friendly and designed to improve daily work lives. That said, optimizing employee experience should not come at the expense of workplace efficiency, space utilization or cost savings. If workplace technologies are thoughtfully introduced with a focus on ease of integration and
employee experience from the start, the adjustment period for employees will be much smoother.

Automation and Al can also play a key role in improving the employee experience by streamlining repetitive tasks, saving time and reducing errors. Furthermore, ensuring that different tools and systems work well together to create a seamless workflow is critical. For instance, a scheduling system could be introduced to help employees plan when to work from home. An app could allow employees to check when their team is working remotely. It could also display unavailable days for preferred workspaces or parking spots. This would help hybrid workers to plan their weeks more effectively, ensuring that office visits are well-timed and worthwhile. Such a system could also help to promote company culture by highlighting workplace events – encouraging employees to participate and fostering a sense of camaraderie and team spirit.

While the initial investment in such technologies may seem unnecessary, the long-term costs of neglecting employee experience – such as
lower productivity, higher staff turnover and reduced collaboration – are likely to outweigh the upfront costs. To improve the digital employee
experience, the key is to focus on user-centric design. This involves understanding the specific needs and challenges of employees before rolling
out new tools or systems. Gathering feedback through surveys, interviews or focus groups helps inform the criteria for selecting or developing new systems. The result is technology that is easy to use, with minimal initial training required. Once up and running, ongoing training is crucial to help employees stay up-to-date with new features and tools. Additionally, providing a robust and reliable support system ensures that any technical issues can be addressed promptly, minimizing disruption. To ensure that employee experience remains a priority in an ongoing digital workplace strategy, it is important to regularly gather feedback. Creating channels for employees to share their experiences with new technologies and actively responding to their suggestions, helps maintain a happy and engaged workforce.