Claire Hastwell
As the Content Program Manager at Great Place To Work, Claire helps decode the psychology behind high-trust workplaces using Great Place To Work's extensive data repository on employee experience. Claire has co-authored noted reports such as "Women in the Workplace" and “The Power of Purpose at Work,” and contributed to Fortune with her profiles of the Best Workplaces™. Her latest report on employee retention strategies draws on the experience of 1.3 million employees to give leaders strategic guidance on retaining their top people.
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Blog The Role of Gratitude in Enhancing Workplace Satisfaction
Workplace gratitude is about more than being polite. When practiced with intention, it fosters a culture of appreciation, boosts morale, improves relationships, and drives organizational success. Imagine this: You’ve put a ton of work into a report for...
Blog Surveying Builds Trust — Even When You’re Not Ready to Act (Yet)
Don’t hit pause on listening: Why skipping employee surveys can get in the way of progress. Imagine you’ve launched a new product. It’s popular at first — flying off the shelves or racking up downloads. But a few months in, sales slow. Engagement...
Blog Empowering Employee Voices: A Guide to Fostering a Culture of Open Communication
Building a great workplace for all isn’t a solo endeavor. By creating space for employees to voice their thoughts and put forward ideas, you foster a culture of open communication that drives engagement, innovation, and trust. What makes an...
Blog Protecting Employee Voices: How We Handle Confidentiality and De-Identification in Your Survey
At Great Place To Work®, we know that earning employees’ trust is the key to getting honest feedback. That trust — and the data it generates — is also what gives leaders the insight they need to build better workplaces. That’s why we’ve designed our...
Blog Emotional Intelligence in Leadership: Why It’s a Game-Changer for Effective Management
We all have emotions, but great leaders know how to harness them for productive outcomes. They have self-awareness, empathy, and social awareness — the key traits of emotional intelligence — and their teams are stronger for it. If you’ve ever had a...
Blog What Is Career Pathing? A Framework for Developing Employee Growth
Many of us have a desire to grow – personally and professionally. That’s one reason why employees typically seek out new responsibilities around the two- to five-year mark of their current role. “But if they don't get those responsibilities, they'll...
Blog Worried About Survey Fatigue? Here’s What Might Really Be Happening (and How to Fix It)
It’s not the survey itself that wears employees down—it’s the sense that their feedback disappears into a void. When people see that their voices lead to meaningful action, they’re far more likely to stay engaged. We often hear, “Our employees are...
Blog Leadership That Works: Give Managers the Data To Succeed
Great leadership isn’t about holding a title—it’s about driving engagement, performance, and trust. Yet, many managers struggle to translate employee feedback into meaningful action. Manager Access in the Trust Index Survey gives leaders the insights...
Blog Key Types of Performance Metrics To Track
There are key performance metrics that all workplaces should track. Measuring them effectively is the first step in improving your company culture, enhancing the employee experience, and ensuring business success. Data is king. But knowing the right...
Blog The Link Between Employee Development and Performance Management: Creating a Culture of Growth
Boost retention, productivity, and profitability by integrating employee development with performance management. Learn how structured growth strategies enhance engagement, leadership accountability, and business success. In modern business, the...
Blog What Is a Staffing Plan and How to Create One That Works?
Understand the essentials of building a staffing plan that aligns with your objectives. Gain insights on effective workforce planning and recruitment strategies. In today’s ever-changing world, having a clear plan for your team isn’t just helpful —...
Blog Employee Value Proposition: What It Is and Examples to Inspire Your Strategy
A good salary might get employees through the door, but it won’t keep them. People stay for growth, purpose, and a workplace that genuinely values their well-being. A well-defined employee value proposition (EVP) helps organizations stand out, making...
Blog What is Employee Satisfaction and How to Measure It?
Unlock what truly drives employee satisfaction and how to measure it effectively. Get practical strategies and the right tools — like insightful surveys — to create a workplace where people thrive. Employee satisfaction seems relatively...
Blog Creating a Culture of Recognition: Tips for Driving Loyalty
Employee recognition is a method of support that helps employees know their contributions are recognized and appreciated. Employees want to know how they are doing and recognizing employees demonstrates what success looks like. Companies recognize...
Blog 8 Key Elements of Company Culture with Inspiring Examples
The secret to attracting and holding onto the world’s best talent isn’t about the work perks — it’s about relationships. It can be hard to define, but you know it when you see it: a great company culture. One where employees feel seen and heard, where...
Blog Defining and Living Your Company Core Values: A Roadmap to Building a Purpose-Driven Culture
Want a company culture people actually care about? It starts with living your core values—not just framing them on the wall. Let’s talk about why relevance, resonance, and leading by example turn good cultures into great ones. We all have our own...
Blog The Ultimate Guide to Performance Management: What It Is and How To Do It Right
Think of performance management as a garden. Without regular care—watering, pruning, and guidance—growth stalls. But with the right attention, employees can flourish, contributing to a vibrant, thriving workplace. Imagine taking a road trip without a...
Blog Employee Training and Development: The Benefits of Upskilling or Reskilling Your Team
Employee training and development isn’t just about teaching employees to do their jobs. It’s about showing employees they are valued and that upward movement in the organization is possible. When employees don’t see opportunity, they don’t bring their...
Blog Navigating Uncertainty: Why Listening During Change Builds Stronger Teams
Change is messy, but silence is riskier. Gathering feedback during tough times isn’t just smart — it’s essential to maintaining trust and resilience. “It’s not the right time — we’re going through [insert big change here].” Mergers, layoffs,...
Blog How to Build Psychological Safety in the Workplace
Psychological safety is often misunderstood and undervalued in the workplace. When leaders cultivate a psychologically safe workplace, employees are more engaged and far more likely to bring forward game-changing ideas. I once was in charge of running...
Blog What Is a Fortune 100 Company? How Top Workplaces Make the List
What is a Fortune 100 company, and how do businesses earn this prestigious recognition? Explore the rigorous selection process and the factors that define workplace excellence. In the nuanced world of business, the formula for staff...
Blog Workplace ESG: How ESG Factors Shape Employee Engagement
The correlation between ESG and employee engagement is undeniable.ESG performance is a driver of employee engagement and an important piece of what makes a company a great place to work. It may sound almost too good to believe, but there's a...
Blog 9 Employee Well-being Programs From the 100 Best Companies
See how employee well-being programs thrive at the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® — real strategies that boost health, engagement, and retention. Perhaps more than any other aspect of workplace culture, employee well-being requires a holistic...
Blog Why Job Seekers Are 15X More Likely to Choose Certified Workplaces
How Great Place To Work Certified companies outpace the average U.S. workplace Are you feeling the heat in today’s competitive job market? You’re not alone. Attracting and retaining top talent is becoming a tougher puzzle to solve. But what if I...
Blog How to Address Menopause in the Workplace
Supporting women with menopausal symptoms can have a positive impact on both employee well-being, retention and the bottom line of your business. If you’re not a woman approaching your 50s, you may be wondering why you need to read further. But here’s...
Blog Parental Leave: How Much Time Off Do Companies Give?
When it comes to your company’s parental leave policy, how does it compare to the Best Workplaces for Parents? Becoming a parent is a time of great excitement and great planning. There are plenty of things to organize before welcoming a new child into...
Blog How To Plan Inclusive Office Parties & Holiday Celebrations
Your company holiday party is an opportunity to show employees that you appreciate them and to strengthen your culture— but only if all employees feel included in the celebration. Planning an inclusive holiday party can be trickier than it might seem....
Blog What Is Employee Experience? Definition & Strategies
An exceptional employee experience can help differentiate your company from your competitors. Here’s how to improve your strategy. The employee experience (also known as EX) starts with the hiring and onboarding process and continues until a person...
Blog Employee Recognition & Team Celebrations: Why Recognizing Milestones Is Vital for Team Success
How you celebrate shared achievements reinforces your commitment to a high-trust, people-first workplace. When you take a moment to celebrate achievements like earning Great Place To Work® Certification™, you’re doing more than just boosting morale....