Employee experience – the HR discipline of the next decade
How to turn isolated initiatives into one coherent experience – from recruiting through onboarding to retention.
Overview
Employee experience (EX) is more than a buzzword: it describes the sum of all touchpoints a person has with a company – from the job ad to offboarding. In times of skill shortage and hybrid models, EX is becoming the decisive competitive advantage.
In this cluster we show which levers HR teams can use to measurably improve their employees' experience – including concrete examples and studies.
Tip: A professional home-office setup is one of the most effective EX levers there is. onyo helps you provide it at scale.
Dive deeper
Wellbeing as a lever
Mental and physical health as part of modern EX strategies.
Read articleRecruiting & employer branding
How attractive working conditions measurably ease your recruiting load.
Read articleProductivity through good setups
Those who can work ergonomically and focused achieve more – and stay longer.
Read articleLatest articles
Why narcissistic leaders oppose remote work
A US study suggests that power and status motives may influence leaders’ attitudes towards remote work. What the findings mean – and how HR can develop fair hybrid-work policies.
Savills study 2026: How can we measure the value of the office?
99% see office value for culture and collaboration, but only 38% consider it highly measurable. What the Savills study means for HR, occupancy and hybrid work.
Tax-Free Home Office Budget: Equipment Instead of Cash Allowance
Work equipment is tax-free, a cash allowance is not. Why €1,000 in allowance leaves only about €420 in equipment value – and how employers should design a home office budget.
Booking a Desk: How a Workplace Booking System Works
From spreadsheet to workplace booking system: how employees book desks, rooms and parking, which rules make sense and how to roll it out in four weeks.
Zukunft Personal Europe 2026 in Cologne: What HR Teams Can Expect
From 15 to 17 September 2026, Koelnmesse becomes the centre of the European HR world again. Dates, key topics, and how to plan a visit focused on hybrid work and employee experience.
Remote Work and Mental Health: Why New Places, Movement and Contact Matter
A Science study of 588,322 workers finds remote work explains about a third of the rise in psychological distress. The problem is not working from home — it is how it is designed. What employers should take from the research.
Office Utilization Jumps to 53%: What the CBRE 2026 Study Means for Hybrid Work
Global office utilization rose from 38% to 53% in 2025 – the largest annual gain since 2021. The CBRE Global Workplace & Occupancy Insights 2026 report shows people come to the office for collaboration, not for attendance mandates. The key figures and what HR and workplace leaders should take from them.
Terms in the HR Glossary
- HR Glossary
Benefit-in-kind exemption (€ 50)
The monthly € 50 benefit-in-kind exemption lets German employers grant tax-free benefits to employees.
- HR Glossary
Employee Asset Management
Asset management tracks all devices and furniture across their lifecycle – essential for hybrid organizations.
- HR Glossary
Employee Engagement
Employee engagement measures emotional commitment – a key driver of productivity and retention.
- HR Glossary
Employee Retention
Employee retention covers all measures that keep key talent long-term.
- HR Glossary
Employee satisfaction in hybrid working models
With the rise of hybrid working models that combine both on-site and remote working, it is more important than ever to ensure employee satisfaction.
- HR Glossary
Employee Value Proposition (EVP)
The EVP is the employer's value promise – what employees get for what they give.
- HR Glossary
IT Onboarding
IT onboarding ensures new hires are productive from day 1 – with devices, accounts, and tools ready.
- HR Glossary
Remote Onboarding
Remote onboarding integrates new hires structurally – without requiring office days first.
Frequently asked questions
What does employee experience mean exactly?
Employee experience covers all perceptions an employee gathers throughout their employment – cultural, procedural and physical. It is measured across the entire employee journey.
How do you measure EX?
Typical KPIs are eNPS, engagement scores, churn rate, Glassdoor/Kununu ratings and pulse surveys. The mix of quantitative and qualitative data matters.
What impact does home office have on EX?
Home office can clearly improve EX when equipment and leadership are in place – or harm it when employees feel left alone. A consciously designed hybrid EX is therefore mandatory.
What is the ROI of a strong EX?
Studies show: companies with high EX have up to 25% lower attrition, higher productivity and better customer ratings. Investments in EX usually pay back within 12–18 months.
People also ask
Short, reliable answers from our knowledge base.
How large should the home office budget per employee be?
The budget should match the equipment needed. It is important to distinguish between the approved budget and actual costs: based on onyo experience, around 70% of eligible employees use the offer and draw on average about 75% of their budget.
Read answerWhat is home office as a service?
Home office as a service means companies no longer have to procure and manage home workstations themselves. With onyo, employees choose their equipment within the approved budget; onyo organises delivery and the agreed services through to collection.
Read answerMay the employer inspect the home workstation?
No. The home is protected by Article 13 of the German constitution, so the employer has no general right of entry. However, employers can require employees to cooperate – for example through a digital risk assessment.
Read answerWhat is workplace as a service?
Workplace as a service describes the provision of workstations with ongoing services instead of an isolated furniture or hardware order. Which equipment and services are included differs by provider.
Read answer
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