Edenred India Launches Employee Engagement: An Economic Value Study

Edenred India unveils landmark Economic Value Study, redefining how organizations measure the impact of employee experience and engagement

The study explores the relationship between employee experience, employee engagement and organizational performance, offering one of the most comprehensive examinations of how workforce experiences shape business outcomes in India.

Mumbai: Edenred India today announced the launch of its flagship research report, Employee Engagement: An Economic Value Study - a landmark body of research that examines the economic value of employee engagement and its increasingly important role in driving organizational performance.

The report arrives at a defining moment for India's workforce.

As organizations accelerate digital transformation, navigate changing workforce expectations and compete for talent in an increasingly dynamic labor market, leaders are being challenged to deliver stronger business outcomes while simultaneously creating workplaces where employees can thrive. Yet despite the growing focus on employee experience and engagement, many organizations continue to struggle with a fundamental question: what tangible value do these investments create for the business?

The Economic Value Study was commissioned to help answer that question.

Drawing on perspectives from HR and business leaders across India, including CHROs, HR Heads, CEOs, Managing Directors and senior decision-makers, the study captures insights from organizations spanning sectors such as Technology, ITES, Manufacturing, BFSI, Retail, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Professional Services and other key industries that collectively reflect the diversity and complexity of India's business landscape.

Through an in-depth examination of employee experiences, organizational priorities and business outcomes, the study explores how workplace factors including recognition, wellbeing, growth opportunities, communication, belonging and purpose influence performance at an organizational level.

Among its most significant findings, the research identifies a strong correlation of 76% between employee engagement and business performance, underscoring the close connection between workforce experience and organizational success. The findings suggest that organizations with stronger levels of employee engagement are better positioned to drive productivity, innovation, resilience and sustainable growth.

The study also challenges several long-held assumptions surrounding engagement. While compensation remains an important aspect of the employee experience, the research highlights the growing influence of factors such as recognition, career progression, meaningful work, workplace relationships and a sense of connection to the organization. The findings reinforce the view that engagement is rarely driven by a single intervention and is instead shaped by the cumulative employee experience.

Importantly, the report highlights that organizations adopting a more holistic approach to employee experience consistently outperform those relying on isolated initiatives. In doing so, it shifts the conversation beyond engagement as a periodic HR metric and positions it as a strategic capability with measurable implications for business performance.

Beyond its findings, the Economic Value Study introduces a practical framework that can help organizations better understand employee needs, assess engagement maturity and make more informed decisions about workforce investments.

‍"When we began this work, our ambition was simple - to bring greater clarity to a topic that is often discussed, but not always fully understood. The result is a study that I believe will spark important conversations across boardrooms, HR teams and leadership circles about what it really takes to build thriving organizations.  We've spent years talking about employee engagement, but often through the lens of instinct rather than evidence. What excited me most about this study was the opportunity to understand, in a much deeper way, what truly shapes the employee experience and why it matters to organizations. I hope it encourages leaders to ask bigger questions and rethink some long-held assumptions about people, performance and workplace culture." - Minaxi Indra, Managing Director, Edenred India

With the launch of the Economic Value Study, Edenred India aims to contribute meaningfully to India's future-of-work dialogue by providing leaders with evidence-based insights into one of the most important questions facing organizations today: how can businesses create environments where people thrive while simultaneously driving sustainable organizational performance?

More than a research report, the study represents an effort to advance the conversation around employee experience, engagement and business value. At a time when organizations are seeking new sources of competitive advantage, the findings offer a timely perspective on why workforce experience is increasingly becoming a defining factor in organizational success.

As the world of work continues to evolve, the Economic Value Study provides leaders with a new lens through which to evaluate employee engagement, not merely as a people priority, but as a strategic business imperative capable of shaping the future performance of organizations.

The full report, Employee Engagement: An Economic Value Study, is now available for download from Edenred India.

About Edenred India

Edenred India has been a trusted partner to Indian organizations for over 25 years, helping businesses enhance employee experiences and drive meaningful business outcomes. With deep expertise across employee rewards and recognition, employee engagement, wellness and benefits, Edenred partners with organizations to build more connected, motivated and productive workforces. Trusted by leading enterprises across sectors including BFSI, IT/ITeS, Manufacturing and FMCG, Edenred combines technology, operational excellence and workforce insights to help organizations strengthen employee value propositions and create lasting impact.  

Part of Edenred, the global leader in Benefits & Engagement and Mobility, the company serves more than 60 million users through a network of over 1 million corporate clients and 2 million partner merchants worldwide. Guided by its purpose,"Enrich connections. For good.", Edenred delivers solutions that enhance employee wellbeing, improve business performance and create more sustainable and connected workplaces.

For more information, visit www.edenred.in