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By now it’s widely known that flexible work options, including the ability to work remotely, are near the top of today’s job seekers’ wish lists. Our own survey report on The Remote Workforce found that nearly 75% of millennials have expressed a desire to have more opportunities to work remotely. The shifting dynamic of where employees are clocking in from brings with it an increased focus on how to keep all workers, regardless of location, engaged and feeling valued.

“That’s an amazing invention, but who would ever want to use one of them?” This is what President Hayes said to Alexander Graham Bell when he first saw the telephone in 1876. Now, fast forward over a century, and answer this question: what was the first thing you did when you woke up this morning? If you’re like most cell phone users, there’s a good chance you started your day by checking your device to catch up on the things you missed out on from the night before. It’s no secret that our phones have become our lifeline. As their capabilities continue to increase, so do the attachments we have to them.

Throughout this blog series, based on Dr. Jack Wiley’s paper Suggested Actions for Human Resources to Create a Better Employee Experience, we have explored the different dimensions that are at the heart of the employee experience and provided strategies for incorporating this RESPECT framework into your organization’s daily practices.

We’ve all probably experienced it at one point or another in our personal or professional lives, the dreadful sight of a constant nagger approaching. What could there possibly be to complain about first thing in the day, when the coffee is still hot? They’ll find something. If you don’t find an exit strategy, you’ll find yourself captive audience to the negative chatter, and suddenly your mood is affected too. As will be the next person you encounter, and so on. Negativity is contagious and will undoubtedly impact the work atmosphere in such a way that productivity suffers and employees disengage.