Employee recognition is important in the workplace for many reasons, but mostly because it is a human tendency to feel seen, heard, and acknowledged. It’s no secret that one of the top complaints from disgruntled employees is that their work environment lacks appreciation and gratitude. Recognition is a powerful way to show appreciation for each employee.
First Let Us Understand What Employee Recognition Means
There are many definitions of employee recognition on the internet, but I like to define it as – “Employee recognition is the act of showing appreciation and acknowledgment to employees for their contribution to the company’s goals, purpose, and vision.“
Recognition does not necessarily have to come from the leader/coach. Peer-to-peer appreciation also has a great impact on the employee. It is up to the leader to create a work environment where employees are appreciative of each other’s efforts. The positivity of such a workspace helps to bring out the full potential of employees.
What Does Regular and Authentic Employee Recognition Bring to The Table?
A well-implemented employee recognition program has the potential to impact various business aspects. Employee engagement levels, retention, productivity, and efficiency of employees are all factors that are positively affected by recognition. Implementing an employee recognition program is not always as easy as it seems. Poor implementation of employee recognition programs can actually have negative effects leading to disengagement and demotivation among employees. It is crucial that your recognition plan is well thought out and implementation plans are clear and concise.
Why Is Employee Recognition So Important in Organizations?
Recognition Makes Employees Feel Valued
In the book, ‘The Vibrant Workplace’, psychologist Paul White explains – “The true value of recognition is that appreciation for colleagues communicates respect and value for them.” This can be interpreted to mean that authentic appreciation is all about seeing someone for the value they bring to the team, not just the output. Employees feel special when their abilities, personality, and talent are all appreciated. This special feeling drives higher motivation and engagement in employees.
Leads to Higher Retention
Employee turnover costs form a sizeable chunk of annual expenses, especially in the call center industry. Most companies place their focus on components like advertising, hardware cost, etc., and not on interviewing costs, training costs, signing bonuses, and employee recognition programs. All of it is important and are investments that must be made. Fortunately, authentic recognition is something all employees appreciate, and employees that feel appreciated are less likely to quit.
Increases Productivity of Employees
When employees receive praise for something, they are likely to be motivated to perform well. Positive reinforcement strengthens the emotional connection an employee feels with their company. This emotional connection will make employees more willing to produce better results, thereby increasing their productivity. As cliché as it may be, happy employees are better employees.
Ignites a Sense of Purpose
Showing gratitude and recognition reinforces positive behavior among employees. This gives employees a sense of purpose and helps the company in achieving its goals. Having a sense of purpose in work is tantamount to both the employee’s well-being and the company’s bottom line. Being shown appreciation for their work creates a greater sense of self-esteem and accomplishment for employees. This sense of accomplishment then fuels a deeper sense of pride in their job. They want to win for you and with you.
Building a culture and environment of employee recognition helps in improving each of the above areas. Employers must be careful though, giving appreciation with the desire to get better results from employees may not always work to their benefit. Remember, gratitude is not a transaction. Excessive praise can make employees feel suspicious or manipulated. There is a balance. The vision, or motive, behind appreciating someone’s work must only be to recognize their value at work and not to exploit anything else from that person.
At Etech Global Services, we’re committed to the well-being of our employees. With Servant Leadership as our foundation, we strive to keep our employees engaged and motivated, and appreciated. Join our team to work with leaders who value teamwork, employee morale, and integrity, and strive to live our vision of making a remarkable difference for each other, our clients, and our community.
