As we close out the year, you may be wondering what changes you can make in the coming year. Have you thought about employee appreciation and recognition? What are you doing to make sure that your employees know that they are appreciated?
Recognition helps employees see that their company values them and their contributions to the success of their team and the company overall. This is particularly key when organizations grow or change. It helps employees build a sense of security in their value to the company, motivating them to continue great work.
39% of employees feel underappreciated at work, with 77% reporting that they would work harder if they felt better recognized.
Employees getting a pat on the back, a quiet thank you card on their desk, or a small acknowledgment with a plaque given every anniversary just doesn’t cut it anymore. Instead, those companies with a greater level of employee engagement utilize a more personalized recognition program as part of the everyday work experience. They find the perfect items to honor those teammates who are working remotely, on-site at the office, or balancing a hybrid model.
Regular recognition isn’t just good for your team member’s souls, it’s good for your bottom line. While personalization is an important tool to utilize, small quick gifts of appreciation go a long way as well. When we’re appreciated, it gives us a deeper sense of purpose. And when we feel purposeful, we dig deeper, offering our best to ensure optimal results.
Companies that scored in the top 20% for building a “recognition-rich culture” actually had 31% lower voluntary turnover rates!
Employee appreciation does not have to be just about appreciating one’s work. Your employees are more than the job they do. They are a whole person with a story, hobbies, favorite foods, and life occasions that should be appreciated and celebrated as well.
Here are three simple things you can do regularly to show appreciation.
Celebrate those happy birthdays.
If your staff doesn’t mind (some may want to fly under the radar on their birthday), celebrate their birthdays!
Cater a meal or get a cake so everyone in the office can take part. Give the employee a day off that they can use whenever they want in the future. Give them a day off from the sales floor. Birthdays are for gifts; what would your staff appreciate the most?
Remote workers may feel left out of birthday celebrations, so think up creative ways to celebrate them too. How about a zoom call just to say happy birthday? You could also send them an Uber Eats gift card so that they could order a nice birthday lunch.
Cheers from peers.
Make it easy for your staff to show appreciation for each other. Coworkers can recognize the “unseen” efforts that go into day-to-day activities. Give them a chance to call out the positive things people are doing so they come to your attention, as well as everyone else’s attention.
Track team wins.
Think of how nonprofits use a thermometer or some other visual device to show the gradual increase of donations as they get closer to a goal. Whether you use an actual visual approach or keep everyone updated in regular meetings, you can do the same.
What goals do various teams have? A little friendly competition can be motivating. As your staff keeps climbing towards a particular goal, you can not only congratulate their hard work but spur them on for a reward for whichever team makes the mark first.
It’s easy to get caught up in the fun and obvious methods of staff appreciation, but the one method that you can start right now, that will register immediately, that will make a change in a person’s day… is to say thank you. In a sometimes thankless world, just hearing another person acknowledge that they know we are working hard and that they are thankful for it is all the appreciation we need to get through the day.
Employee appreciation shouldn’t be reserved for one day but should be integral to your company culture and be an all-around attitude that management adopts. Your employees are your most precious asset, yet some businesses show more care and concern for maintaining equipment than letting their staff know that they are valued and appreciated!
Did you know Elite Rewards offers a rewards platform that gives your employee the ability to choose their gift AND the color? We even offer a “Wish List” feature!
