Most UK employees now report feeling a sense of belonging at work, with workplace inclusion reaching its highest level in more than a decade, according to new research.
But despite growing investment in workplace culture and employee experience, only a small minority of workers said they consistently felt genuinely included and valued in their day-to-day working lives.
It suggests that employers are making progress on workplace culture while still struggling to translate inclusion policies into everyday experiences for staff.
Belonging increasingly linked to retention
Research from consumer goods company Procter & Gamble (P&G) UK found that 82 percent of employees now felt a sense of belonging at work, the highest level recorded in more than ten years. It indicates that workplace belonging is becoming a major factor in employee retention and long-term commitment.
Three quarters of workers said they would stay with an employer for years if they felt valued, while 73 percent said they were more likely to remain with organisations where they experienced a genuine sense of belonging.
By contrast, almost six in ten employees said they would leave jobs where they did not feel part of a team. Despite the broader improvement, only 20 percent of respondents said they consistently experienced the conditions that made them truly feel they belonged at work.
The study suggests that many employees still feel a gap between formal workplace inclusion initiatives and their everyday experiences with colleagues and managers.
Alessandro Catellani, vice president of human resources for Northern Europe at P&G, said belonging was closely tied to whether employees felt recognised and supported at work.
“Belonging is about much more than policies; it’s about whether people feel valued and supported,” he said.
“At P&G, we believe a career should offer more than a job. That’s why we focus on giving people real responsibility from day one, world-class training and development and a supportive culture where every employee’s wellbeing is a priority.”
Different generations view belonging differently
The research also pointed to significant generational differences in how employees define workplace belonging. Younger workers were more likely to associate belonging with career development, recognition and wellbeing support.
Generation Z employees placed greater importance on having ambitions taken seriously and employers recognising their wellbeing needs. Millennials were more focused on fairness and having their opinions heard within organisations.
Generation X workers most commonly linked belonging to respect and teamwork, while Baby Boomers placed greater emphasis on inclusion and not feeling like outsiders.
Across all age groups, the most common indicators of belonging included feeling respected by colleagues, being accepted for who they are and feeling part of a team.
Employees also valued being treated fairly regardless of background and feeling their voice mattered within the organisation.
The research found that smaller everyday interactions also played an important role in workplace culture. One in ten respondents said simple gestures, such as colleagues remembering how they take their tea or coffee, contributed to a stronger sense of belonging.
Culture becoming a business priority
The findings come as employers continue placing greater emphasis on workplace culture, retention and employee experience following several years of labour market disruption and changing workforce expectations.
Businesses have increasingly focused on inclusion, wellbeing and organisational culture as competition for skilled workers remains strong across many sectors.
Catellani said employers needed to recognise that expectations around belonging changed across different stages of working life.
“What this research shows is that while the fundamentals of belonging remain consistent, how people experience it evolves across life and career stages,” he said.
“For those earlier in their careers, belonging is often about being seen, supported and given opportunities to grow. For more experienced colleagues, it is about respect, inclusion and feeling part of something bigger.”
He said employers needed to create environments where employees across multiple generations could progress and feel included simultaneously.
The research was conducted by P&G UK and polling firm Opinium between 10 and 14 April and surveyed 2,000 nationally representative UK adults.
William Furney is a Managing Editor at Black and White Trading Ltd based in Kingston upon Hull, UK. He is a prolific author and contributor at Workplace Wellbeing Professional, with over 127 published posts covering HR, employee engagement, and workplace wellbeing topics. His writing focuses on contemporary employment issues including pension schemes, employee health, financial struggles affecting workers, and broader workplace trends.
- William Furney
- William Furney
- William Furney
- William Furney
