Creating a Culture of Recognition

Being appreciated is a basic human desire.

And praise and recognition are essential to an outstanding workplace and its employees.

A friend recently introduced me to an article in The Irish Times (June 16, 2022) about a software program called Workhuman that’s revolutionizing the way employees celebrate each other. Their mission is to make work more human for every person on the planet with their employee recognition solutions.

According to the chief technology officer, it wasn’t an easy sell persuading companies to take on the idea of employee recognition. Fast forward 20 years, this company reached a coveted status in 2020 of being valued at $1 billion. They have six million “happy users” stretching across the globe in 180 countries.

Workhuman said the importance of celebrating each other was further enhanced as organizations were grappling with employee engagement during the COVID pandemic.

The cost of employee recognition is very minimal in relation to the benefits that will be experienced. Employee recognition programs have been shown to increase productivity, employee loyalty, and increase safety.

With a well-built employee recognition program, companies can improve job retention, employee engagement, teamwork, reinforce company values, and more. Employees are more likely to continue employment with a company if they feel they are appreciated.

A small gesture goes a long way.

According to Dr. Bob Nelson, employees in a company that has a culture of recognition are five times more likely to feel valued, seven times more likely to stay, and 11 times more likely to feel completely committed to their jobs and the mission of the organization.

Here are some Fun Facts about Employee Recognition:

• Happy employees are 85% more efficient.
• Happy employees are 55% more effective.
• Happy employees deliver 42% better customer service.
• Happy employees stick around 2x longer than unhappy employees.
• 80% of Gen Y said they prefer on-the-spot recognition over formal reviews and feel that this is imperative for their growth and understanding of a job.

The best things in life are free!

Employees are the heart of every business. Employees who are not engaged can drain the positive energy out of the atmosphere. Enthusiasm is infectious, and employees who are engaged spread their enthusiasm to fellow employees and customers.

Happy employees are the biggest gain to any business’s bottom line. Keeping your employees engaged in their job does not have to break the bank. Let’s explore how to recognize your employees while staying on a budget.

1. Have a party! It could be an ice cream party, bring doughnuts for the staff, have a popcorn break, or throw a pizza lunch party. Staff appreciation functions provide the opportunity for employees to connect with their co-workers and supervisors.
2. Make a game of it. Create a poster for each staff member that has positive attributes for each letter in their name. For example, Tripp = Timely, Rational, Innovative, Passionate, and Professional. Have a raffle. Award employees with tickets and have a weekly or monthly drawing for a prize. Employee recognition programs that utilize a game will help dissipate frustration in the office and keep your employees engaged.
3. Give them a break. A longer lunch break, keep food/drinks in the breakroom for employees to enjoy, 15-minute Facebook break, let them leave early one day. Most of us work 40 hours or more a week, which can add up to over 2000 hours a year! Being recognized for the hours of work with a break will be appreciated and remembered.

For more ideas to recognize your employees, see Thoughtful Perks That Won’t Break the Bank.