by Kim Coombs, UK and Ireland HR Director, ServiceNow
Employee satisfaction in Ireland has hit an all-time low, with 90% of workers in the Republic unenthused by their work or workplace, according to Gallup. Organisations need to bring employee experience back to the top of their agendas to make way for more satisfied workers. The first step? Focusing on employee wellbeing.
The importance of wellbeing
Work-related stress—outlined by the Health and Safety Authority as stress caused or made worse by work—is a serious problem. Stress in the workplace often involves a sense of anxiety or not being able to cope. It impacts people differently, but it has been linked to a heightened risk of short- and long-term physical and mental health issues.
According to the latest Health Workplace Ireland Report, more than half of employers surveyed say absenteeism due to mental ill-health has increased over the previous year. In fact, as per the latest figures from the Health and Safety Authority, more than one million days are lost in Ireland a year because of work-related illnesses. It’s no wonder that 64% of employers say it’s adversely impacted business performance.
Bolstering healthy working practices and helping to reduce stress go a long way toward improving satisfaction and engagement. Improving employee wellbeing also has a positive impact on organisational performance. The 2024 Global Work Wellbeing Report, for instance, reports that higher levels of employee wellbeing are associated with improved firm valuation, return on assets, gross profits and stock market performance.
Employee wellbeing is also linked to greater customer satisfaction. Not only do happier workers provide better interactions, but ServiceNow and Opinium research found that customers in Ireland are less likely to do business with a company that doesn’t treat its employees well. The case for solid employee wellbeing policies is clear.
Employee satisfaction in the remote age
Remote working adds complexity to employee wellbeing. Working from home can blur the boundaries between employees’ professional and personal lives, making it difficult to strike a healthy work-life balance. According to Buffer, 22% of employees say their biggest challenge is not being able to unplug.
However, evidence suggests that eliminating remote work would be a mistake. According to Morgan McKinley’s Global Workplace Guide, 92% of Ireland respondents prefer hybrid or remote work. Moreover, recent research found that almost half (47%) of Irish job seekers would refuse a job offer if there were no hybrid or fully remote options.
With such a high percentage of job seekers unwilling to entertain offers without remote options, it becomes increasingly clear that adapting to these preferences is vital for organisational success. In light of employees’ strong preference for flexibility, organisations should consider how these work arrangements directly impact overall employee satisfaction. By fostering an environment that prioritises flexibility and work-life balance, companies can not only attract top talent but also retain their current workforce.
Three ways to improve employee satisfaction
Employee satisfaction may seem like a complex issue, but there are some simple steps organisations can take to improve it.
- Cultivate a culture that promotes employee wellbeing: This involves promoting a healthy work-life balance and providing space for employee feedback. This kind of initiative should be driven from the top down and implemented across every level to ensure it works—that means getting the leadership team on board is essential.
- Invest in technology solutions that underpin a positive employee experience: Simple and intuitive solutions can take the burden of manual, repetitive tasks off your people and allow for a less stressful experience. This could include automating certain workflows or providing low-code technology, which empowers employees to automate processes without coding or programming knowledge.
- Ask your staff where there’s room for improvement: If employees are dealing with heavy workloads and light resources, ask them where you could introduce solutions to help relieve the burden. Employee portals and dashboards are great facilitators of open communication and continuous feedback.
Organisations that don’t prioritise employee experience and implement helpful processes and technology can face tangible cost implications. Putting employee experience at the centre of the business strategy will help improve employee satisfaction and deliver a solid competitive advantage.
About the author
Kim Coombs is the UK and Ireland HR director for ServiceNow. She has extensive generalist HR experience spanning start-ups to large organisations, primarily with US-based tech companies. Kim has expertise in navigating complex global environments during times of change, contributing directly to commercial success as a key member of senior leadership teams.
Known for her strong business acumen and interpersonal skills, Kim builds high-trust relationships and influences decisions at a senior level. She’s passionate about fostering a healthy business culture and takes pride in coaching and supporting the growth of leadership and teams.
