Only a sixth of employees feel highly connected at work, with employees who work onsite feeling the least connected, according to a new survey by Accenture.
The survey, which polled 1,100 executives and 5,000 employees, found 42 per cent of onsite workers said they don’t feel connected, compared to 36 per cent of employees in hybrid work arrangements and 22 per cent of those working fully remotely.
More than a quarter (29 per cent) of employees who feel connected to their colleagues said they’re more likely to experience a deeper level of trust in their organization. A feeling of connection accounts for 59 per cent of an employee’s intention to stay in their job. As well, companies whose employees feel connected reported an average 7.4 per cent annual revenue growth premium.
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Among employees who said they feel connected, more than 90 per cent said they can be productive anywhere. However, only 17 per cent of respondents felt they were benefitting from a connected experience at work. The survey noted four key actions for employers seeking to increase connectivity: instilling modern leadership, growing a thriving culture, enabling and agile organization and empowering workers through technology.
“People and culture are organizations’ top sources of competitive differentiation and at the heart of growth,” said Ellyn Shook, chief leadership and human resources officer at Accenture, in a press release. “By creating omni-connected experiences, leaders put relationships first and level the playing field so every person can work to their full potential in ways that work for them — which deepens trust and drives business results.”
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