"Community building" is the new focus for organisations, which are increasingly making it an extension to their employee engagement programmes. Approximately 50% of corporates are using such services to bolster engagement, says a report by global employee engagement platform Advantage Club.

Given the hybrid nature of work and its issues, community building can significantly impact employee mental well-being and improve retention rates. It also positively impacts the culture, brings empoyees respect at work and enhancing their belongingness too, all key results of community building intervention, the report noted.

Individuals derive their sense of purpose and value from their associated community and build their own sense of identity. Corporates are exploring new ideas to strengthen employee engagement offerings and reward employees by getting employees involved in community-building programmes.

On further analysis, the report noted that there is a decrease in attrition rates too with community-building services. The retention rate has increased by 45% for corporates using the Advantage Club community module compared to the ones not using it.

A recently conducted survey on the platform has also concluded that 78% of employees feel community building is essential in the workplace.

"We have analysed companies using our platform as a part of their employee engagement programme and 'community building' has emerged as a surprise element to have long-term impact on employees positively. Social connections and interactions are pivotal to human existence, but as many organisations enter a hybrid mode, their effectiveness is bound to impact. Workplaces that effectively encourage community culture among employees frequently see higher rates of overall trust, respect, empathy, productivity, and cooperation,” said Sourabh Deorah, co-founder & CEO at Advantage Club.