Events: a study at IFTM highlights that 48% of employees want a more human touch

What is the employees’ view on the events offered by their company, what do they get out of them, what should these events serve according to them? A Rejolt study answered these questions during Paris B2B show IFTM Top Resa.

During the show, Rejolt, a corporate event organization, and the prospective trends consulting agency Peclers Paris, surveyed a representative panel of more than 500 employees. To summarize what has been put in light: employees consider corporate events as useful and positive, but they want them to be more human and friendly, less “top-down”. Young people in particular express strong expectations for events with renewed content, emphasizing sharing and authenticity.

76% of respondents affirmed the following. When their company organizes an event, they participate, every time or at least from time to time. But 51% never or rarely see them offered, a proportion that rises to 57% among non-managers.

Result: 34% of employees would like to be offered more collective events. The 18-29-year olds enjoy them. 42% of them would like to participate in more events.

Another notable point among these young people, often portrayed as detached from their professional lives. They declared themselves particularly satisfied (65%, compared to an average of 58%) with these kind of activities.

However, these moments do not always leave them with very strong memories: only 35% of employees (and 29% of young people) say they remember a significant event. “This figure shows that standardized content, the trendy event, does not necessarily meet the expectations of employees,” comments Mickaël Hadjadj, founder of Rejolt.

It is essential to think about an event in its integrity, so that each element – the setting, the activities, the messages – is consistent with the company’s reality at that moment. For this, it seems essential to us to start from the feelings of the employees, to propose an event that resonates with their experiences.

The respondents confirmed the analysis of Rejolt study. Sharing moments is much more memorable (24%) than participating in unique or luxury experiences (5%).

In the longer term, what could be the ultimate purpose of these events? For 85% of young people, it is all about creating connections. For 66% of executives, it is to retain employees. While, for 75% of non-managers, these collective moments should primarily serve to recognize the efforts of employees.

When asked about the daily impact of these corporate events, 45% of respondents consider it important or very important. This proportion reaches 50% among those over 51, who also refute the preconceived notions about their supposedly lesser commitment to their company.

A desire for more human events, focused on the participants

Finally, what elements would make employees want to get more involved in company events? 48% of respondents -and 51% of non-managers look at finding a more human atmosphere. A second motivating factor is the participation of people (colleagues, speakers) : 37% of respondents cite this aspect as essential.

These figures reflect a more global evolution, that of the relationship with work, adds Hadjadj. A growing number of employees consider a good work atmosphere to be as important -or even more- than salary. Events must take this expectation into account and offer truly inclusive formats capable of reaching and engaging every employee.

To reflect this more human dimension, employees would also like to see the incentivized content evolving. 47% would like more convivial events or practical workshops, such as coffee or breakfasts, or even cooking or DIY classes. This desire for proximity does not prevent them from also expressing a demand for large collective events: 42% would like to participate, once or twice a year, in “highlights” bringing together all the company’s employees.

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