The organizations with the winning edge in today’s ultra-competitive work environment are those with the best-trained and well-skilled employees. Even the best personnel, however, will not perform well (and may even abandon ship) if they are not sufficiently motivated. This is why workplace employee recognition must be a natural part of any company’s culture.
Employee recognition –
Employee recognition is the timely, informal, or official acknowledgment of a person’s conduct, effort, or business outcome that supports the organization’s aims and values and goes above and beyond his superior’s expectations. Employee appreciation is when a company’s employees are praised for their outstanding work. Employee recognition in the workplace essentially serves to encourage specific behaviors, practices, or actions that lead to improved performance and beneficial business outcomes.
Why is employee recognition important?
Being held in high regard by one’s peers is one of the most powerful motivators for employees. Being recognized for being good at what they do is the best approach to achieve this respect.
Employee appreciation does not have to be expensive or spectacular. While most people associate rewards and recognition with monetary incentives or lavish awarding events, it does not have to be. Employee recognition can be as straightforward as a pat on the back and a sincere comment. A simple ‘thank you’ email or a warm greeting at work can suffice.
Employees can understand that their organization values them and their contributions to the success of their team and the firm as a whole when they receive recognition. This is especially important as organizations expand and evolve. It helps employees feel secure in their worth to the organization, which motivates them to keep doing exceptional jobs.
Benefits of employee recognition –
- Happy employees: Employees who are happy are more productive. Being recognized instils in your employees a sense of job mastery and assures them that they are a good match for their roles and the organization.
Acknowledgment may boost productivity, boost loyalty, and encourage teamwork. In addition, the workplace should be a place where positive reinforcement is encouraged and constructive criticism is welcomed.
- Employee retention: Employee retention refers to an organization’s capacity to keep its staff. One way to keep your employees is to offer them incentives and appreciation. Financial incentives, like raises, bonuses, and stock options, are one example.
Employee appreciation gifts, such as a gift card to their favorite store or a mark of appreciation for every five years of service, are also a terrific plus. Employee recognition programs, such as incentive programs, are a terrific way to demonstrate your thanks for your staff, keep them engaged, and keep them on board.
- Good workplace culture: When employees are recognized for their contributions, it goes a long way toward making the workplace a place where they want to work. As their effort is recognized, they begin to consider the company to be a part of their lives. It contributes to the creation of a healthy and joyful environment.
Employees are more inclined to put in extra effort on important tasks when they recognize a favorable corporate culture. They are delighted to be affiliated with a healthy workplace rather than just working for a wage.
- Boost morale: Employee motivation is also influenced by how your organization’s leaders manage your workforce. Allowing your employees to know that their efforts are appreciated by management might help to motivate your most precious asset.
Best ways to appreciate your employees –
Employee recognition programs are common in many businesses. Even in these companies, however, employees frequently complain about how their work is underappreciated. It’s not always about what you do, but about how you do it.
This is also true in the workplace when it comes to employee recognition. You should not just thank your staff, but do it in a more personal way, as you would like to be recognized in your ideal job.
Here are some ideas to get you started with appreciating your employees’ efforts:
- Employee recognition events: It’s usually better to compliment your top performers in front of their peers because it boosts their self-esteem. Not only that, but knowing that you’re a grateful employer, your employees will work hard to be recognized. You can honor your team’s top performers with an “Employee(s) of the Month/Quarter/Year” award.
- Bonus/Treats: There are numerous ways to reward your employees for their hard work. Here are some suggestions:
– Bonus money will show them that they are valued and that their hard work is paying off, and that the firm values them.
– Employees that are performing well should be rewarded with company-branded gift tees, sweatshirts, or tokens (pens, bags, mugs, etc.).
– Why not provide everyone in the office with a free lunch once a week?
- Employee recognition wall: The Recognition Wall is another one of those innovative employee recognition ideas. Set up a bulletin board in the office and have everyone fill it with sticky notes containing congratulatory words for outstanding coworkers.
This can serve as motivation for those who did well to continue to improve. It will also encourage those who do not see their names on the wall to keep trying until they see messages dedicated to them written on the wall.
There are a plethora of ways to implement employee recognition in the workplace, but it all starts with business culture. A successful employee recognition program begins with a company culture that encourages top achievers to be recognized. This can serve as the foundation for future staff engagement, employee development, and retention strategies.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: ADVANTAGE CLUB
Advantage Club is a global provider of employee benefits. The platform serves to digitizing all employee demands under one canopy through numerous employee engagement programs such as incentives, rewards & recognition, flexible and tax saving modules. It now serves over 300 organizations in 70 countries and has over 10,000 brand partnerships.
