What you need to know in workplace recognition

1.???? EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION

Employee recognition, or appreciation, is all about acknowledging the hard work and accomplishments of the individuals and teams within your organisation.

Core company values are where a successful employee recognition program should begin, and it’s company culture where employees?feel?valued that sets the standard.

Organizations with a solid employee recognition strategy can expect higher employee engagement, better employee morale, improved customer service and lower employee turnover.

Recognising and engaging people is not the soft side of business. It is the very basis of business success

Lack of recognition from management has a big impact on employee satisfaction.?

Providing positive feedback can be as simple as that...and it can make all the difference

Engaged employees are emotionally invested in their roles and demonstrate higher levels of commitment, enthusiasm, and initiative.

Companies recognize employees for things like:?

·?????? Achievements?

·?????? Exhibiting desired behaviors?

·?????? Going above and beyond expectations?

·?????? Milestones such as tenure?

A Gallup study?found that when employees are recognised regularly there is:

·?????? 81% lower absenteeism

·?????? 43% less employee turnover in low-turnover organisations

·?????? 18% less employee turnover in high-turnover organisations

·?????? 64% fewer safety incidents

·?????? 41% fewer quality defects

·?????? 10% higher customer loyalty and engagement

·?????? 18% higher productivity?

·?????? 23% higher profitability??

2.???? Pillars of Employee Recognition

?????????????? i.???????? Consistent

Ensure that employees understand the criteria for recognition and that the program is consistently applied across the organization.?

????????????? ii.???????? Authentic

Recognition should be genuine and sincere. Avoid generic or insincere praise, as employees can often discern when recognition is not authentic.?

??????????? iii.???????? Equitable

There should be clearly communicated standards, values, and expectations when it comes to your employee recognition program to prevent?performance appraisal bias.?

???????????? iv.???????? Personalized

Everyone has unique motivations and ways they prefer to be acknowledged. Some may appreciate public recognition, while others may prefer private acknowledgment. Understanding these preferences allows for a more meaningful and personalized recognition experience.?

????????????? v.???????? Timely

Recognition is most effective when it is timely. Acknowledge and celebrate achievements as soon as possible after they occur. This immediate feedback reinforces the connection between the action and the recognition, making it more impactful.?

3.???? Some of the Employee Recognition Examples to consider

a.????? Employee Rewards Program

????????????????????????????????????? i.???? Recognition Points Program

In this program, employees earn points for their exceptional efforts, achievements, or contributions which accumulates over time and redeemed for a variety of rewards.

??????????????????????????????????? ii.???? Employee of the Month/Quarter Recognition

This program involves acknowledging outstanding employees on a regular basis.?It not only provides tangible rewards but also boosts morale and motivation by publicly acknowledging and celebrating employees who consistently go above and beyond in their roles.

b.???? Employee Recognition Gifts

????????????????????????????????????? i.???? Customized Professional Development Opportunities

This approach not only recognizes their contributions but also invests in their?professional growth , demonstrating a commitment to their long-term success within the organization.

??????????????????????????????????? ii.???? Flexible Work Arrangement Privileges

Recognize exceptional employees by offering them the gift of flexibility in their work arrangements such as?remote work?days, flexible scheduling, or compressed workweeks.?

c.????? Employee Recognition Awards

????????????????????????????????????? i.???? Innovation Champion Award

The Innovation Champion Award celebrates employees who demonstrate a forward-thinking mindset, problem-solving skills, and a commitment to driving positive change within the organization.?

??????????????????????????????????? ii.???? Customer Excellence Award

The Customer Excellence Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding customer service, client relationship management, and a commitment to exceeding customer expectations?

d.???? Employee Anniversary Recognition

????????????????????????????????????? i.???? Monetary recognition

Provide a bonus at the time of an employee anniversary. Be sure to make the amount reflective of the tenure and include a personalized note or conversation to thank the employee for their contributions.

??????????????????????????????????? ii.???? Non-monetary

These may include cake celebrations, congratulatory videos, handwritten cards, wellness packages, anniversary lunches, company and celebratory events for loyal employees.?

e.????? Personal Recognition

????????????????????????????????????? i.???? Personalized thank-you notes

These notes can be shared in team meetings, posted on a recognition board, or delivered privately?

??????????????????????????????????? ii.???? Employee spotlight interviews?

Highlight individual strengths, achievements, and personal qualities that make each employee unique. Colleagues appreciate seeing and understanding the diverse talents and personalities within the organization, fostering a culture of mutual respect and personal appreciation?

f.????? Public Recognition

????????????????????????????????????? i.???? Spotlight awards ceremony

Host a quarterly or annual awards ceremony where outstanding employees are publicly recognized for their contributions.

??????????????????????????????????? ii.???? Slack or social media shoutouts

Regularly post shoutouts, success stories, or employee spotlights on your company’s Slack or communication channels?

4.???? TREND IN EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION

a.????? Emerging Technologies

Technological advances can enable?instant recognition?even for?remote working employees

b.???? New Operating Models

New work environment?requires?new recognition methods?and?more effective and satisfying employee strategies.

c.????? Workforce Dynamics

Younger employees?prefer recognition methods that offer better experiences, whereas?older ones?opt for recognition practices promising greater material benefits.

d.???? Macroeconomic Factors

Inflation levels, interest rates, growth or recessionary trends, exchange rates, etc. have a direct and indirect impact on the?financial well-being of employees.?

e.????? Need For Deep Personalization

This requires the organizations to incorporate the?likes and dislikes?of individual employees?in the recognition process.