SHRM

What Workers Want: Key Takeaways From SHRM’s Global Employee Monitor | All Things Work

The SHRM All Things Work podcast unpacked the latest Global Employee Monitor, a quarterly survey of workers in 26 countries, to reveal what truly drives hiring, staying and engagement across diverse markets. The research underscores that while pay remains the dominant factor for attracting talent and preventing turnover, the elements that spark day‑to‑day enthusiasm are fundamentally different. Key findings show a clear split between retention and engagement drivers. Foundational elements—salary, benefits, job security—keep employees in their roles, with 94% of those satisfied with pay indicating they would stay. In contrast, meaningful work, opportunities to develop skills, role clarity, autonomy and recognition top the list for engagement. Managers play a pivotal role: 93% of workers who rate their manager positively are inclined to remain, reinforcing the adage that people leave managers, not jobs. The report also highlights a sizable gap between employee priorities and current satisfaction. Pay, career advancement and benefits are both the most valued and the most dissatisfying aspects, suggesting many organizations fail to meet baseline expectations. Regional satisfaction varies, with Saudi Arabia, India, South Africa, Nigeria and Brazil reporting the highest contentment levels, indicating that cultural and economic contexts shape employee sentiment. For employers, the takeaway is to treat compensation as a baseline requirement while differentiating through a holistic employee value proposition that emphasizes growth, autonomy and strong managerial relationships. Tailoring strategies to regional nuances and investing in manager development can close the value‑satisfaction gap and convert retention into genuine engagement.