HR Acuity, a leader in employee relations case management and investigations software, has released findings from its comprehensive study on critical employee moments impacting today’s workforce. The survey, conducted in April 2024, sheds light on how organizational practices around leaves of absence, harassment, misconduct, and layoffs influence employee trust, loyalty, and brand reputation.
- Rising Leaves of Absence: The study reveals that 40% of employees took a leave of absence in 2023 for medical, family, or mental health reasons. Only 36% of those who went on leave would recommend their employer as a great place to work. When the leave was handled well, the referral rate improved to 48%, underscoring the importance of compassionate processes in maintaining employee trust.
- Harassment and Misconduct: Forty-one percent of employees experienced or witnessed inappropriate or illegal behaviors since early 2023. Notably, incidents of misconduct or harassment increased by 32 percentage points in remote work settings compared to previous studies. Despite high reporting rates—75% for witnessed incidents and 85% for experienced misconduct—one in four employees did not report issues, often due to mistrust or fear of retaliation. When issues were investigated and resolved, employees were more likely to recommend their employer (51% vs. 36%).
- Impact of Layoffs and Restructurings: Layoffs, reductions in force, and restructurings affected not only those directly impacted but also the remaining workforce. While 69% of those who experienced job changes felt the situation was well-handled, only 56% of unaffected employees agreed. This indicates a need for better communication and support for all staff during transitions. Only 23% of respondents felt that their employer had gained their trust through these experiences, highlighting opportunities to improve workplace communication and transition processes.
- Deb Muller, CEO of HR Acuity: “Today’s workforce expects trust, transparency, accountability, and flexibility from their employers. Yet, our survey found that organizations are missing the mark on providing effective support and follow-through care during critical employee moments. This has huge implications for loyalty, referral rates, brand reputation, and retention.”
HR Acuity’s study emphasizes the critical need for organizations to enhance their handling of key employee moments. By focusing on compassionate leave management, effective harassment reporting, and improved support during layoffs and restructurings, companies can significantly boost employee trust, loyalty, and overall brand reputation. The findings provide actionable insights for organizations aiming to create a supportive and transparent work environment.
