Showing appreciation for employees will usually make the workplace a happier one. According to a survey by Bonusly, 46% of workers said they left a job because they didn’t feel appreciated. While there are several ways to show employees they are valued, small gestures can often make a big difference for a more productive work environment.
Appreciation is the value that an employee feels as a person. Compared to recognition which is often a reward for an employee’s accomplishments. Most employees like to be both appreciated and recognized. How they receive that appreciation is often based on:
Who is giving the appreciation? - Most employees prefer it when their boss appreciates their efforts. However, it has also been shown in the Bonusly survey that 65% will stay in their job if their co-workers value their work, even when the boss is unappreciative.
How is the appreciation being conveyed? - Appreciation can be shared in a variety of ways such as during a private conversation or during a team meeting. Some employees might enjoy public recognition, while others prefer to stay out of the spotlight.
How often is the appreciation being conveyed? - Appreciation given on a regular basis versus occasionally, tends to make the employee feel more valued.
According to the Harvard Business Review article, “Simple Ways to Show Appreciation at Work”, most employees want to be appreciated in the following areas:
Appreciation for their presence - When employers show appreciation to employees who attend last minute meetings, work late to finish a project, or indicate they were missed during an event, it shows their presence as a person is important.
Celebrating new ideas and contributions - When workers are encouraged to share new ideas and contribute to the conversation, it shows their feedback is valued. This involves the manager actively listening to employees, implementing their ideas, and giving credit to them.
Appreciate their home and life balance - Most employees have multiple responsibilities beyond their job and want to maintain a healthy balance. Managers who don’t schedule late night meetings, show respect for the employee’s time, and allow them to have a fuller life.
Discussing future growth and development - Often employees who don’t feel there are future growth opportunities will seek other jobs that would welcome their expertise, and encourage them to reach their professional goals.
More frequent appreciation and recognition is important because it develops a community of engagement, productivity, and performance. According to Deloitte, these qualities are 14% higher when a company has recognition programs compared to those companies who don’t recognize workers. Also, Gallup found that weekly recognition of employees is usually the preferred standard.
In general, any appreciation is preferred. In contrast to employee accomplishments that have gone above and beyond being consistently overlooked. Some of the best ways for recognition to have the biggest impact include:
Being specific - Tell an employee exactly why they are being recognized. Give details about the project achievements and the attributes that contributed to receiving the recognition.
Show urgency - If the recognition for a project isn’t given until months later, the employee won’t think it was a significant accomplishment versus being acknowledged immediately.
Make it personal - If your employee enjoys gardening, you might consider awarding a gift card to a local nursery which would be a personal touch intended for their specific interest.
Other gift options - While everyone appreciates a monetary gift, there are other ways to show appreciation such as a handwritten thank you note, time off, or engraved plaque.
Building relationships - According to a Globoforce survey, 86% of employees had more trust for their manager when they had recently been recognized by them. In building a positive relationship with their boss, employees often feel that their well-being is important.
More efficiency - Recognizing the contributions an employee makes to the organization, often encourages the same employee to be more engaged in the solutions for the company. This often creates opportunities for better efficiency and higher quality output.
Reducing turnover - According to Gallup, the cost of replacing an employee could equal two times their annual salary. Which can become both expensive and impact production if several employees leave at the same time.
Brand reputation - When employees are appreciated they are more likely to tell their family and friends about the company, including any job openings. Which is good for both the company and the employee who also serves as an internal brand ambassador.