Worker Voice

Overview

Jobs for the Future (JFF) is investing in piloting new models for worker voice to provide feedback to and fuel innovation in talent management practices and policies. At a basic level, worker voice means that employees throughout a company’s hierarchy should have the freedom and the opportunity to discuss workplace issues that matter to them. So, we launched this effort in response to the great need expressed by workers and employers alike. Employers are interested in finding new ways to retain and satisfy employees, and workers want to positively impact their workplace for themselves and future generations.   

But why worker voice? Because it is good for business and your employees.   

• Improve your agility and adaptability by getting real-time insights directly from employees. You can see a fuller picture of your business and adjust strategy and operations faster than you would otherwise.   
• Fuel your innovation and increase retention rates by authentically engaging with your employees. Discover a wealth of ideas and trends you may not have heard while also fostering a culture of collaboration, respect, belonging, and openness to diverse opinions.  
• Grow employee skills and unlock opportunities by listening to your employees to uncover barriers to advancement and training gaps. You can tune your skills development efforts to the way your employees want to learn.
• Enhance employee well-being by not only allowing employees to express concerns, but also addressing concerns to contribute to a healthier, less stressful, and more supportive work environment.  

These are just a few ways that the voice of your employees can drive outcomes and meet your evolving needs as a business leader. By prioritizing worker voice and making their input a key part of your business decisions, you will unlock a critical lever in meeting your bottom line and caring for the well-being of your employees.   

Our Work

Since 2021, JFF has been convening worker and employer forums aimed at elevating bright spots and developing actionable guidance for employers. In 2024, we launched our second Worker Forum, which included more than 30 frontline and entry-level workers, and an Employer Forum with 14 employers that collectively employ over 4 million people in the retail, manufacturing, health care, and food services and hospitality industries. These forums focused on elevating promising worker voice practices and developing new ideas that benefit both employees and employers. 

In the fall of 2024, to help employers unleash the power of employee feedback and innovation, JFF will release a Worker Voice Playbook that will offer suggestions of strategies employers can adopt to improve their worker voice practices. The playbook will highlight case studies and testimonials from workers and employers, build on insights from the field, and guide employers at all stages of their worker voice journeys. It will also include a step-by-step blueprint for establishing a worker council for employers that are ready to be bold and deeply engage employees. 

For practical recommendations on what your organization can do, dive into the resources linked below and visit our site later this fall to see our playbook.