Employee Recognition – Does It Still Work?

What satisfies you after doing a great job at your workplace?

Most of you may give one common answer and that is seeing some more zeroes added to your paycheck.

However, is a handsome remuneration enough for you?

Don’t you feel like you deserve to be recognised for the efforts that you have put in your work?

Exactly, now we are talking!

Employee recognition is what that is missing here!

Being an HR manager is a tough job, especially when it comes to keeping your employees happy and engaged for driving productivity. For this, you may try out everything from increasing their salaries to providing them with an open fridge full of delicacies.

I will not say taking up such measures to motivate employees is bad but it often fails in the long run. And in addition, it’s also costing you a lot which you won’t disagree with.

However, did you try acknowledging the good work of your top-performing employees?

Why am I asking this is because this is where the secret to prolonged employee engagement lies.

The culture of employee recognition matters a lot in the workplace sometimes even more than monetary compensation or other employee benefits.

In case you are doubting if it’s really that important then let me tell you 73% of businesses globally have adopted employee recognition programs and 84% of HR leaders agree that recognition program positively impacts employee engagement, according to a study by Globoforce.

So in case, you’re wondering if “Employee recognition still work?”

Then the answer is yes, it does and it always will!

One has to recognise good work, appreciate it and award it to inspire everyone for giving their best. And it is the way this entire thing has been since humans first started working.

Employee Recognition and Modern Day Workplaces

With the ever-increasing workload, employees are now spending most of their time hooked to their desks. This repetitive work cycle has rendered to many issues and one amongst them is demotivation and dissatisfaction.

However, it won’t be wrong to say that dissatisfaction at work is the main reason behind demotivated employees. And the biggest reason behind workplace dissatisfaction is the lack of appreciation.

Believe me, when employees are appreciated for their work they feel satisfied and it adds to their motivation to do more. This is why having a staff recognition program becomes very important.

Let me tell you one more secret here, employees who receive appreciation on a day to day basis are more satisfied with their jobs compared to employees who are seldom or never appreciated.

Also, with the majority of the workforce now hailing from the millennial generation the demand of instant gratification has also risen. And employers who fail to deliver it often have to face the heat of high employee turnover rates.

This is why employee recognition still remains one of the most prominent ways to keep your workforce engaged and motivated.

The Present Day Effects of an Employee Recognition Program

Having employee rewards and recognition program is the most cost-effective way to acknowledge great deeds at the workplace. There’s no doubt that employees feel good when they are rewarded or appreciated. Furthermore, it adds to their zeal to do good and achieve more in the times to come as it fills their souls with pride.

In fact, according to a study by SHRM, companies who incorporate employee recognition in their work culture saw an increase of 63% in employee productivity compared to others.

Here are some of the effects and benefits of an employee recognition program

• Helps in Employee Retention
  

27% of employees leave their jobs because of lack of recognition.

(Source-Randstad)

It is not the money but the respect you give that keeps the modern-day employees attached to their workplaces. Recognizing an employee for his or her good work from time to time is the best alternative other than monetary compensation to retain your top talents.

• Enhances Job Satisfaction for Employees
  

The only thing that gives an employee the utmost satisfaction at his or her work is the feeling of being valued by their employer. And there’s no better way of making your employees feel valued than acknowledging and appreciating them.

• Ensures Better Employee Engagement
  

Every other organisation is now trying their best to ensure better employee engagement at their workplaces. With better employee engagement comes better productivity which is every employer’s all-time desire. The fact here is employee recognition is the core of employee engagement.

• Creates a Positive Company Culture
  

85% of HR Leaders say an employee recognition program has a positive effect on organizational culture.

(Source: Globoforce)

Recognizing an employee’s efforts is the path towards a better company culture. It contributes to the happiness of the employees. And when employees are happy it reflects back in the form of better productivity and efficiency at work.

These were some of the positive effects of employee recognition on businesses.

Reading till here, you might now be convinced about the effectiveness of an employee recognition program.

You might also be wondering how to create a culture of employee recognition around your workplace.

That’s really good! You are one step ahead in creating a better workplace for your workforce. But let me tell you that there are two forms of recognition that you can encourage at your workplace.

Types of Employee Recognition:

• Managerial Recognition
  

Managerial recognition is where the managers or supervisors need to keep an eye on every employee and their deeds and progress. It is the most followed form of employee recognition. However, the only problem that arises here is favouritism which imparts a negative impact on the company culture.

• Peer to Peer Recognition
  

Peer to Peer recognition is where you encourage your employees to recognise their co-workers. It is the most effective form of recognition that you can bestow on your employees. Here, since the employees know who amongst them is doing a great job, appreciation becomes totally unbiased and true.

Even according to research conducted by Deloitte, employees feel much better when they are recognized by their peers.

Wrapping up

When people are financially invested, they want a return. When people are emotionally invested, they want to contribute

– Simon Sinek

You now know how important it is to recognise your employees. There’s no hard and fast rule regarding how you should give recognition at your workplace. It varies based on the needs and the work culture followed by an organisation.

Even you can also come up with your own employee recognition ideas that go well with your employees.

In the end, the bottom line that remains here is employee recognition should be an integral part of every organisation’s ethics and culture. It is your employees who deserve the utmost respect for their dedication. And it is your duty as a responsible employer to reward and recognise them from time to time.

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