What Do Employees Really Want? Not a Ping Pong Table!

The history of the human race is a testament to our constant craving for improvement. From the wheel to the smartphone, we've come a long way. But there's one invention that has consistently outperformed all others in workplaces around the world: the ping pong table.

Ah, the ping pong table – a symbol of progress, innovation, and serious fun. It's become a workplace staple and a metaphor for cool company culture. But is it really what employees want?

Before you start clearing space in the breakroom, let's take a moment to understand what truly engages employees, and how HR professionals can create an environment that fosters happiness, productivity, and collaboration.

Here's a witty piece of advice that will make you feel like you just got served by a ping pong champion: employees want more than just table tennis.

According to a recent Gallup poll, a mere 36% of employees are engaged at work, and a staggering 13% are actively disengaged. These figures make it painfully clear that having a ping pong table isn't enough to keep employees engaged.

So, what do employees want?

1. Autonomy: According to a study by the University of Birmingham, employees who have a sense of autonomy at work are more likely to be engaged, productive, and satisfied. It's not rocket science; after all, who wouldn't want to have some control over their work environment? So, instead of buying that ping pong table, try trusting your employees with more freedom and decision-making power.
2. Feedback and Recognition: Remember the time your boss praised your work, and you felt like you could conquer the world? That's the power of feedback and recognition. A study by Harvard Business Review revealed that 72% of employees feel that their performance would improve with more feedback. So, channel your inner Oprah and start giving feedback like it's the hottest giveaway of the year.
3. Opportunities for Growth: People are like plants; they need the right environment to grow. And no, that doesn't mean adding a ping pong table to the breakroom. A study by LinkedIn found that 94% of employees would stay at a company longer if it invested in their career development. So, if you want to keep your employees around, start investing in their growth.
4. Connection and Communication: We're social animals, and even the most introverted among us crave some level of connection. According to a study by Gallup, employees who have a best friend at work are seven times more likely to be engaged. So, while ping pong can create some friendly competition, don't forget to invest in team-building activities and create a culture of open communication.
5. Work-Life Balance: Ping pong tables can't solve the work-life balance conundrum. A study by FlexJobs found that 80% of employees would be more loyal to their employers if they offered flexible work options. By promoting a healthy work-life balance, you can ensure that your employees don't just come to work for the ping pong tournaments.

In conclusion, while ping pong tables are a fun addition to any workplace, they're no magic bullet for employee engagement. Instead, focus on fostering autonomy, providing feedback, offering opportunities for growth, encouraging connection, and promoting work-life balance.

And, if you still want to buy that ping pong table, go ahead – just remember that it's only one piece of the employee engagement puzzle.

Hope you enjoyed reading this article and found it insightful too. To read more such articles and post follow me on LinkedIn Faisal Siddiqui . I frequently write on topics related to human resource management, employee experience, employee engagement, organization behaviour, work culture and leadership.