2012 Workplace Trends Report: Integration, Flexibility and Wellness Top Drivers of Employee Engagement

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Jan. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sodexo, Quality of Daily Life Solutions provider to more than 1,800 corporate clients in the United States, released its 2012 Workplace Trends Report today, offering a unique perspective on the workplace that combines insight from clients, academia, principal research, and leading facilities management and human resource trade organizations. 

The research predicts continued focus on well-being and the ability to deliver a unique value proposition to business communities that focuses on not only integrated, effective and efficient use of space, but also the performance of human capital. Employees are looking to organizations for tools and resources to help them simplify their lives, stay healthy and balanced, and bring their "whole self" to work as these continue to be top drivers of engagement. Employee engagement, productivity, brand image and loyalty continue to be relevant measures of success.

"For any business wanting to grow, these trends show there is a premium on programs that are outcome driven and on sustainable results that address both people and physical space," said Michael Norris, COO and market president for Sodexo's Corporate segment.

The 2012 report* identifies ten key Workplace Trends:

1. Integration of Workplace Solutions: Creating Higher Value
2. Workplaces That Promote Sustainability
3. Inclusive Workplaces
4. It's All About Me: Rewards and Recognition
5. Virtual Workforces
6. The Built Environment as a Driver of Employee Engagement
7. Evidence-based Space Design
8. Quantifiable Employee Health and Wellness Initiatives
9. Psychological Health in the Workplace
10. Flexible Workplaces

*complete report including trend abstracts can be viewed at http://bit.ly/SDXworkplacetrends2012

"We studied research over the last year to understand what issues are top of mind for our clients and what are the benchmarks in the overall market," added Rachel Permuth-Levine PhD, MSPH, senior director, outcomes-based research and solutions for Sodexo's toLive workplace strategies. "Our team predicts these trends are the direct link to designing environments that enhance individual performance, foster collaboration, and contribute to the well-being of employees – it's the workplace of the future."

Sodexo's experts in human capital solutions used mixed-method research to monitor and collectively examine trends that affect the quality of daily life of their consumers in the workplace.  This approach included traditional quantitative measures such as end user satisfaction and preference surveys, psychographic analysis at client sites, and a literary review consisting of consultant reports, academic and trade journals, and information from industry associations.  The research team also gathered data from several social media properties, including LinkedIn and Twitter.  The 2012 Workplace Trends Report represents a sample size in excess of 800 end users.

About toLive

ToLive, a quality of life solution by Sodexo, creates an employee centric workplace experience uniquely customized to integrate the values and culture and future business objectives of an organization, incorporating all elements of well-being.

About Sodexo in North America

Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com), leading Quality of Daily Life Solutions company in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, delivers On-site Service Solutions in Corporate, Education, Health Care, Government, and Remote Site segments, as well as Motivation Solutions such as Esteem Pass. Sodexo, Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., funds all administrative costs for the Sodexo Foundation (www.SodexoFoundation.org), an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $17 million in grants to fight hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at www.sodexoUSA.com/blog.

Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Daily Life Solutions

Quality of Life plays an important role in the progress of individuals and the performance of organizations. Based on this conviction, Sodexo acts as a partner for companies and institutions that place a premium on performance and employee well-being, as it has since Pierre Bellon founded the company in 1966. Sharing the same passion for service, Sodexo's 413,000 employees in 80 countries design, manage and deliver an unrivaled array of Quality of Life Services. Sodexo has created a new form of service business that contributes to the fulfillment of its employees and the economic, social and environmental development of the communities, regions and countries in which it operates.

Key Figures (as of August 31, 2011)

SOURCE Sodexo