Outsourcing to Circles delivers real employee experience ROI

Creating a workplace people want to show up to is no small feat. Behind every engaging event, seamless concierge request, or stocked break room is a web of logistics that someone has to manage. For most companies, that “someone” ends up being an overstretched HR or facilities team juggling service requests while trying to focus on their actual jobs.

That’s where Circles comes in. Our workplace hospitality services — from high-impact concierge programs to curated amenities and experiences — are a vital component of the broader employee experience. We deliver the logistics, personalization and consistency that help companies create an environment where people feel valued and supported. The result? A stronger employee experience that delivers real ROI.

What Is employee experience ROI?

Employee experience ROI is the return a company sees from improving how employees interact with and feel about their work environment — how supported they are, how frictionless their day-to-day tasks feel, and how connected they are to their team and mission.

It’s not always flashy, but it’s incredibly powerful. Thoughtful touches like helpful apps, well-stocked pantries or quick support often translate into better retention and stronger performance. According to a 2023 MIT Sloan study, companies in the top quartile for employee experience delivered 2x the innovation, 2x the customer satisfaction, and 25% higher profitability than their peers.

What is the value of employee experience?

The value of employee experience shows up in the everyday: how easy it is to get things done, how supported people feel and how connected they are to the organization. When that experience is positive, people are more likely to engage, contribute and stay.

Gallup’s 2024 State of the Workplace report found that organizations with high employee engagement — a key result of a strong employee experience — saw 43% lower turnover and 81% lower absenteeism. And this spans industries: people want workplaces that support their lives, not just their output.

That’s where workplace hospitality plays a powerful supporting role. As a visible and tangible part of the employee experience, it brings everyday interactions to life — through services, moments of care and environments that make people feel valued. While it’s just one piece of the broader strategy, it’s often the one employees feel most directly. Done well, it reinforces culture, builds trust and helps create the kind of workplace people want to be part of.

The bottom line? Better experience means better performance — and better business outcomes.

The real cost of doing it yourself

On paper, keeping workplace services in-house may look cheaper. But under the surface, hidden costs add up quickly.

Hiring, training and retaining service-minded staff is expensive. Managing them is time-intensive. And when they leave? The cycle restarts. Add the burden of coordinating vendors, responding to requests, troubleshooting issues and aligning efforts with company culture — and you’ve got a full-time job for multiple people.

Outsourcing hospitality with Circles changes the equation. We deliver plug-and-play solutions with built-in systems, trained teams and years of experience — from day one. That means internal teams spend less time on execution and more time improving the employee experience.

Tech that keeps things running smoothly

Internal teams often lack the tools needed to run a seamless experience. They’re stuck with shared inboxes, manual trackers and cobbled-together systems.

Circles brings a purpose-built platform that simplifies everything. Employees make requests via a user-friendly app or portal, receive personalized responses and track progress in one place. Managers get insights into usage, trends and time saved — without the spreadsheet headaches.

It’s more than just convenience. It’s the backbone of a smooth, scalable and measurable employee experience.

Results that speak for themselves

Employee experience isn’t a side hustle for us — it’s the core of what we do.

We’ve helped healthcare providers and hospitals support burned-out staff, tech firms reboot post-pandemic, and financial institutions bring hospitality into their culture. That experience means we can walk into a workplace and know what will work, what won’t and where the quick wins are.

While internal teams often rely on trial and error, Circles brings a playbook built from years of refinement — then customizes it to your culture and goals.

Making internal teams even stronger

In many companies, the people managing employee experience are already on staff — an office manager, a receptionist, a jack-of-all-trades. They’re doing their best, but often without tools, support or strategy.

We’re not here to replace them. We’re here to strengthen them. Circles provides the structure, systems and guidance to make their jobs easier and more impactful. Whether we take the lead or work alongside your team, the goal is the same: build a better workplace without burning anyone out.

How to approach employee experience ROI calculation

Start with what matters most to your organization. Are you aiming to boost in-office attendance? Reduce burnout? Improve retention in key roles?

Then consider what you’re putting in — time, staffing, tools — and what you’re getting back. This could be fewer sick days, shorter support queues, stronger engagement or improved hybrid work patterns.

Don’t overlook directional signs: if internal survey scores rise, usage rates grow and employees start asking for more, you’re seeing ROI in action.

Employee experience & ROI: proof in the numbers

Our workplace hospitality programs generate measurable results:

• Employees report saving 2–3 hours per request for concierge services
• 98% say our programs reduce stress
• Net Promoter Scores typically exceed 80 — “great” by any standard
• One corporate HQ saw a 48% jump in occupancy after launching with Circles

These outcomes aren’t luck. They’re the product of listening, refining and delivering exactly what people need — before they even ask.

How do you calculate ROI on employee experience and engagement?

Start by tracking inputs: time, money and team effort.

Then, measure outcomes:

• Improved engagement scores
• Lower attrition in teams using support services
• Increased usage and positive feedback
• More productive meetings and higher office attendance

Blending quantitative metrics with qualitative feedback helps make the case — and shows your investment is paying off.

What it looks like in practice

At a 6,500-person tech company, an underused concierge service became indispensable when Circles stepped in with an on-site presence and digital platform. Reuse rates hit 78% within weeks. Read the whole case study here.

At a pharmaceutical company in London, our workplace hospitality program earned a 95 NPS from employees — not just satisfied users, but advocates.

These are the kinds of outcomes we build — with speed, strategy and heart.

Employee experience ROI: short-term wins vs. long-term gains

Some results are immediate. A jump in office traffic. Positive feedback after the first supported event. Better benefit usage.

But long-term, that experience builds culture, deepens trust and becomes a reason people choose to stay. It transforms programs from perks into purpose — and sets your workplace apart in a crowded talent market.

Think of short-term wins as proof points. Long-term gains are the real ROI.

A smarter way to support your team

Outsourcing isn’t about letting go. It’s about leveling up.

With Circles, you keep the vision and the culture — we help you bring it to life. We take the pressure off internal teams, deliver high-impact services and make the experience feel personal, consistent and easy to manage.

If you're building from scratch or ready to take things to the next level, we’re here to help. Let’s create a workplace your people want to be part of.

Check out our fun infogrpahic on this topic, here.

Frequently asked questions on employee experience ROI

What does Return on Experience (ROX) mean?

ROX, or Return on Experience, looks beyond dollars to assess the impact of investments in people — from workplace design to wellbeing initiatives. It measures things like engagement, support, retention and trust.

PwC reintroduced ROX as a valuable metric in 2024, highlighting how it uncovers value that traditional ROI often misses — including stronger collaboration, reduced burnout and better hybrid work.

What’s the difference between ROI and ROX?

ROI (Return on Investment) typically measures financial return — what you get back in dollars for every dollar spent. ROX (Return on Experience) goes broader. It captures the value of how people feel at work: more engaged, less stressed, better supported. Both matter. ROI shows the hard numbers; ROX reveals the human impact that drives long-term results.

How does outsourcing workplace hospitality improve employee experience?

Outsourcing workplace hospitality gives companies a way to consistently deliver the day-to-day services that shape how employees experience work — without overloading internal teams. From events and concierge support to amenities and on-site services, Circles handles the logistics, execution and personalization that help people feel valued and supported. When hospitality runs smoothly, it removes friction, boosts satisfaction and reinforces the broader employee experience strategy.

How does employee experience impact business performance?

Better experience leads to better outcomes. Engaged employees are more productive, loyal and collaborative. Gallup data shows lower absenteeism and turnover — and higher profitability — in companies that invest in experience.

Is outsourcing workplace hospitality cost-effective?

Yes — especially when you factor in the cost of hiring, training and managing internal teams. Circles delivers scale, structure and service quality without overloading your people.

How do you measure success of outsourced services?

Start with adoption. Are people using the services? Then measure satisfaction — NPS, pulse surveys and feedback. Finally, track impact: time saved, stress reduced, increased attendance and improved retention. With Circles, you’ll get clear data, regular reporting and no guesswork.