UKG joins bold, three-year research initiative to build a blueprint for the future of work, unlocking new ways to hire, promote, and retain employees, and build more resilient, innovative, and productive workplaces so businesses can thrive in an ever-changing world
UKG, a leading provider of HR, payroll, and workforce management solutions for all people, today announced it has joined 10 other global organizations in a groundbreaking, three-year research initiative led by Great Place To Work® called The Great Transformation. CEOs, CHROs, and Chief Diversity Officers from Accenture, Cadence, Cisco, DHL Express, Dow, Encore, Hilton, KPMG, Synchrony, UKG, and World Wide Technology have committed to participating in targeted, data-backed pilot initiatives designed to unlock the full potential of all employees and improve organizational productivity, agility, resilience, and innovation.
The first-of-its-kind cohort collectively represents more than 1.4 million global employees across a broad range of industries, including technology, finance, transportation, hospitality, professional services, semiconductors, and manufacturing.
“These companies have boldly taken action to transform their organizations,” said Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place To Work. “At the peak of COVID-19, they decided to redesign their For All business processes. They have courage in ways that we know most companies do not. These leaders are willing to change, make hard decisions, and commit to finding solutions that will move their business forward. It’s one thing to have data that shows how you can improve the experience of your people and your business, but it’s another to have the courage to act on that data. That’s not easy to do, but that’s what these companies have done.”
Great Place To Work used its methodology, backed by 30 years of measuring great company culture, to analyze each cohort member’s extensive employee data set to develop and test radical new ways to revolutionize the employee experience.
“These companies were already great, but they want to be even better,” said Bush. “Other companies say, ‘We have work to do.’ But after three years, these companies will be able to tell the world: ‘Look how far we’ve come.’”
Cohort companies are making unprecedented strides in their approach to hiring, promoting, and retaining employees from all backgrounds.
“It’s been incredibly thought provoking to work with this collection of leaders who understand that engaged employees and business success are intrinsically linked,” said Chris Todd, CEO of UKG. We’re on a journey to understand how we can further lean on the voices of our employees to drive better outcomes for ourselves and our customers. One avenue we’re exploring together is the untapped potential of ERGs. We already see the incredible impact that ERGs have at UKG, surfacing ideas that have led to meaningful changes for our employees and the business. It has been energizing for me personally and I’m grateful for this journey to keep learning together.”
Actions include a range of transformative ideas and pilot initiatives, including how to unlock advocacy throughout organizations by utilizing employee resource groups (ERGs) so they become engines for innovation, talent development, and revenue growth. Other companies are using technology to find new ways to make sure all employees are seen and recognized for promotions. And others are training leaders to lead differently so these new initiatives can succeed.
“Leaders have to transform and evolve, and these companies understand that to be the best in the world, you need to lead for all,” said Bush. “Every leader wants to generate greater innovation and productivity, and by tapping into the full potential of their people, they can do that. A ‘For All’ leader ensures every employee can contribute their best. Thanks to the work of this cohort, we now have the metrics to measure the experience the leader creates for all levels of their organization. When that happens, companies outperform. That’s the future of leadership.”
At the end of the three-year initiative in May 2024, Great Place To Work and the cohort will showcase the results at the For All™ Summit in New Orleans. Leaders from the cohort will share which approaches have proven successful and what concrete steps will create more equitable and innovative workplaces for every worker, including women and marginalized communities to hourly workers and mid-managers.
The impact of The Great Transformation goes beyond the cohort and will inspire organizations around the world to create more equitable workplaces where all people are seen, recognized, and valued for their contributions.
“This journey isn’t just about our cohort; it’s about helping businesses all over the world,” said Bush. “These 11 companies have opened themselves up to change and transformation and did the hard work so the rest of the world can learn from their experience and insights. This will be as close to a blueprint for the future of work as anything we’ve seen because the future of work is for all.”
