What makes an employee excited to start work every morning?
A thriving workplace culture, strong leadership, and meaningful engagement all play a critical role in shaping that enthusiasm. However, creating an environment where employees feel valued and empowered doesn’t happen by chance—it’s a strategic process backed by proven practices.
Throughout this article, we’ll explore companies that are setting the standard for employee experience and examine the strategies that make workplaces exceptional.
Companies Providing Exceptional Employee Experience
When it comes to creating a positive and inspiring work environment, a few standout companies serve as excellent employee experience examples. These organizations prioritize their people, offering benefits and growth opportunities that go beyond the standard.
By focusing on holistic well-being, open communication, and innovative support systems, these companies show that a dedicated employee experience strategy can transform a workplace into a thriving community.
1. Pure Insurance
PURE Insurance has redefined what it means to create an empowering and collaborative workplace, with employees consistently praising its people-first culture. It’s not surprising that they were voted Top Insurance Employer in 2023 and one of the Top Companies to Work For in Arizona in the same year.
Through initiatives like CoffeePals for virtual coffee chats, PURE enables cross-team interactions that strengthen relationships and boost engagement. They also have Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) where 47% of employees are active participants.
These efforts, alongside other thoughtful practices, create a workplace where employees feel valued, aligned, and inspired—a model any organization could follow to elevate its own employee experience.
See more data on the outcome of PURE Insurance’s virtual coffee program here: How Pure Insurance Enhanced Connectivity and Efficiency with CoffeePals
2. Hilton
Hilton is renowned for its exceptional employee experience, offering a supportive and inclusive workplace that fosters growth and well-being. Employees appreciate Hilton's commitment to recognition through programs like the CEO Light & Warmth Award and Team Member Appreciation Week, which celebrate outstanding contributions and milestones.
Additionally, Hilton's Go Hilton Travel Discount Program provides team members and their families with exclusive travel benefits, including discounted stays at Hilton properties worldwide. This initiative not only rewards employees but also allows them to experience the hospitality they help create, further enhancing job satisfaction and engagement.
3. Lexia Learning
Employees at Lexia Learning are inspired by a shared mission to improve literacy, creating a workplace fueled by purpose and impact. With a culture that values collaboration and professional growth, Lexia empowers its team to innovate and make a real difference in students' daily lives.
To keep employees connected in a remote-first environment, Lexia introduced CoffeePals, a platform for virtual coffee chats that helps bring team members together. This initiative has been a hit, allowing spontaneous, friendly interactions that make the workplace feel more cohesive and welcoming. It’s especially helpful for new hires, who get the chance to integrate into the team more naturally.
Through CoffeePals, Lexia has strengthened engagement and created a sense of community that employees truly value.
Find out more about this initiative here: Lexia Learning's Transformation: Enhancing Company Culture, Onboarding and Connectivity
4. Accenture
Accenture stands out for its flexible, collaborative work environment that empowers employees to find balance and connect meaningfully with their teams. With a range of adaptable work options, Accenture lets employees shape their schedules and workspaces, whether they need quiet focus areas or dynamic collaborative spaces, promoting both productivity and well-being.
A key part of Accenture’s culture is its strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. The company fosters a sense of belonging through employee resource groups focused on gender, race, disability, LGBTIQ+, and more, creating supportive spaces where everyone can thrive. Through initiatives like allyship and bias training, Accenture helps employees grow and excel in an inclusive environment where every voice is valued.
5. Wegmans
Wegmans is celebrated for creating a work environment that truly values employee well-being, offering flexible scheduling options to help team members balance work with their personal lives. This approach allows employees to manage their time effectively, fostering a healthier work-life balance.
The company also provides comprehensive health and life benefits, including affordable healthcare coverage, dental and vision plans, and access to a personal health advocate.
Wegmans also supports educational advancement through a generous scholarship program, offering up to $16,000 over four years for full-time employees and up to $8,000 for part-time employees. This commitment to learning empowers staff to pursue their academic goals while building a rewarding career.
How to Build an Outstanding Employee Experience
After exploring companies that excel in employee experience, it’s clear that these standout practices don’t happen by accident—they’re the result of thoughtful strategies designed to create a meaningful and engaging workplace.
For organizations looking to replicate similar success, implementing targeted actions can make all the difference in cultivating a work environment where employees feel valued and motivated. Here are a few strategies to consider:
1. Provide Personalized Learning and Development Paths
Give employees opportunities tailored to their interests and career goals by creating personalized development paths. Programs like Mentor Connect offer structured mentoring, connecting employees with mentors who can guide their growth and development. This approach enhances skill-building and demonstrates a genuine investment in employees' long-term success.
2. Foster a Culture of Open Recognition
Build a culture where achievements are regularly recognized, both formally and informally. Tools like the Shoutout Coffeemaker enable spontaneous recognition by allowing employees to give each other shoutouts for standout contributions. These recognitions, whether public or private, help create a sense of appreciation and boost morale across the organization.
3. Facilitate Cross-Departmental Collaboration with Rotational Programs
Encourage collaboration by offering employees temporary rotations in different departments. Programs like Shoe Swap allow team members to "walk in each other's shoes," gaining diverse perspectives and connecting with colleagues across the company. This practice fosters a collaborative spirit and broadens employee skill sets, enhancing both engagement and productivity.
4. Implement Flexible and Inclusive Work Options
Support a diverse range of working preferences by offering options like remote work, hybrid schedules, or compressed workweeks. Ensure flexibility accommodates employees’ individual needs, improves satisfaction, and helps them manage work-life balance more effectively.
5. Establish a Clear Career Progression Framework
Provide transparency around career growth by establishing a structured pathway for advancement. This includes creating defined levels, required competencies, and potential timelines for promotion. Regular reviews with managers on career goals and growth opportunities also help employees feel they are on a clear, achievable path.
6. Create Employee Resource Groups for Support and Connection
Encourage the formation of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to help build community and inclusivity in the workplace. Virtual coffee chats can also serve as informal, safe spaces where employees can discuss their unique challenges or goals with colleagues who share similar backgrounds or interests. These connections foster inclusion and create a sense of belonging.
7. Offer Wellness Programs that Go Beyond the Basics
Move beyond standard wellness benefits by introducing holistic wellness programs. Consider offering on-site wellness activities, mental health resources, financial planning sessions, and access to wellness apps or platforms. These initiatives show a commitment to supporting employees’ overall well-being.
8. Provide Direct Access to Leadership
Give employees regular access to leadership through open Q&A sessions, “Ask Me Anything” events, or Exec Encounters, which facilitate casual conversations with executives. By breaking down hierarchical barriers, employees feel heard and valued, while leaders gain direct insights from their teams.
9. Leverage Technology for a Seamless Employee Experience
Implement platforms that make workplace processes and interactions smoother. From onboarding software and learning management systems to virtual collaboration tools, having the right technology streamlines daily operations, helping employees focus more on meaningful tasks and less on administrative processes.
10. Create Spaces for Social Interaction and Team Bonding
Encourage team connection with dedicated spaces or time for social interaction, whether it’s through team-building sessions or Coffee Maker Questions, which spark light-hearted discussions. These casual interactions foster a sense of community and strengthen bonds among colleagues.
Creating a Workplace Where Employees Thrive
As companies continue redefining what it means to provide an exceptional employee experience, one takeaway is clear: investing in people drives lasting success.
A strong, engaged team not only brings out the best in each individual but also elevates the entire organization, fostering an environment of growth, innovation, and loyalty. Simple yet intentional strategies, like those discussed in this article, can be transformative when applied with purpose.
Building connections across departments, offering growth opportunities, and valuing employee voices are the foundations of a thriving workplace. Tools like CoffeePals make this easier by fostering personal connections and enhancing engagement through virtual coffee chats, mentorship programs, or meaningful conversations with leadership.
Ultimately, creating a workplace where employees thrive is an ongoing journey, one that evolves with each new initiative and connection made. When organizations focus on employee experience as a core priority, they don’t just build a stronger team—they shape a culture that everyone wants to be part of.
Ready to learn more about creating an amazing employee experience for your team members? Read this next: How to Create an Effective Employee Engagement Committee
