Employee Engagement Vs Employee Experience: What's The Difference?

Although the words "employee engagement" and "employee experience" can sound similar, they are actually very different.

Employers across the globe strive to ensure that their employees are satisfied and engaged with their job. But here, we need to understand that while engaged employees are satisfied with their jobs, satisfied employees are not necessarily engaged in their respective jobs.

Read our blog on: Employee Satisfaction Survey: A Brief Guide

Yes, this is a bit confusing, and that is why HRs must be mindful of the distinctions between the two terms- employee engagement and employee experience.

In this podcast, Cornelia (Conny) Kunert puts forward her view on the rising focus on employee engagement and a growing understanding of the value of the employee experience. She shares the "moments that matter" which are crucial encounter instances that decide whether or not an employee can remain involved with the organization. Here, you will also learn why it is important to concentrate on employee engagement or experience in the new world supposedly dominated by freelancers and temporary workers.

Conny Kunert is an accomplished People and Organizational Development Executive with over 25 years of experience in diverse workplace environments, cultures, and geographies, including Fortune 500. She is passionate about people, the way we want to work, and getting companies ready for the challenges they face to be attractive for top talents. She is known as a trusted mentor - someone with the ability to create and implement effective strategies, processes, and programs designed to develop organizational capabilities and improve operational effectiveness. She empowers companies to implement successful strategies for

• Employee Experience,
• Employee Engagement
• People Analytics and align businesses with people.

She has earned the title of Business Economist in Switzerland.

Connect with Conny on Linkedin

Show Notes:

(01:40) Tell us more about your HR journey in the corporate world

(03:08) Over the last few decades, there has been a rising focus on employee engagement and a growing understanding of the value of the employee experience. We know that both of them are intrinsically tied. Without a positive employee experience, engagement is highly improbable; and again, engagement is the outcome of a positive experience. So, where is the real difference between employee engagement and employee experience?

(05:07) Employee engagement and employee experience are both essential. Now when organizations are constantly faced with the challenge of how to deal in both of these fields, particularly in the face of a global pandemic and social and racial unrest, putting the people first would always stay as a priority. Leaders, especially, must demonstrate that commitment and expertise are top priorities by words and deeds. How would you like to highlight the role of leadership in maintaining higher levels of engagement or experience?

Read our blog on: 25 Leadership Qualities That Makes You A Good Leader

(07:48) Employee engagement and experience efforts need time to be fruitful. Does focusing on employee engagement or employee experience even make sense in a world supposedly dominated by freelancers and short-term employees?

(09:53) So would like to share some ideas to engage gig workers?

(10:48) Right, here I have a quote with me Maya Angelou, an American poet, and civil rights activist, famously said, "People will forget what you said, people will also forget what you did but people will never forget how you made them feel". Employees' perceptions of their employers are primarily shaped by how businesses make them feel. These vital moments, also known as "moments that matter" are the crucial encounter instances that decide whether or not an employee can remain involved with the organization. What are some of these moments that companies can leverage to deliver a superlative employee experience?

(14:40) How effective are rewards and recognition in employee engagement?

(16:35) What suggestions would you give to our listeners?

(17:45) Any HR book or HR leader you follow.

(21:18) How can our listeners reach out to you?