Employee Recognition: The Elixir to Employee Performance

Every employee wants to be recognized and appreciated for the work they do because they see it as a form of reward for their efforts. Most employees have shared their experiences and recognizing your employee’s effort will go a long way to boost their morale and increase your organization’s performance. However, employers should not wait for a special day in the year to appreciate their employees. Instead, they should recognize them every day if possible. Employee recognition should become a part of the company’s culture.

“Always treat your employees exactly as you want them to treat your best customers.”

-Stephen R.Covey

Employee recognition is a powerful tool to boost the morale of employees. It is very important. Why? Here are some reasons

  1. Increases Employee Felicity: When employees are recognized, they become excited and these have a positive effect on their performance and, as a result, productivity increases. Happy and productive employees mean more successful jobs which means more money for the company. Also, when employees feel valued, they become happy and do not even think of changing or quitting their jobs
  2. Increases Employee Engagement: Organizations often complain about poor employee engagement and look for ways to overcome this problem. A scheduled recognition and appreciation program can surprisingly help to overcome the problem of engagement
  3. Increases Trust: Employees feel more human and this automatically increases the trust they have for the company when they are recognized and appreciated. When employees trust their workplaces, they become more committed and embrace their workplaces. Also, if a company has distant employees that are not always physically available, building trust becomes more difficult. Therefore, employers can build trust among their employees by showing them that their works are noticed
  4.  Communication: According to a study, 70% of employers believe their office culture promotes open discussion and the free exchange of ideas1. Sometimes, what the employer perceives is totally different from the experience and thought of the employees. Recognizing your employees creates a friendly and suitable avenue where they can offer ideas and ask questions about their job roles. This also helps them to perform at their best

Is the lack of Employee Recognition detrimental to your company’s performance? Definitely, yes!

Disengaged employees can affect a company negatively in terms of lost productivity, decreased satisfaction, and replacement costs. According to The Center for American Progress, it can cost up to 25% of a disengaged employee’s salary to replace them2. Let’s have a quick look at four negatives coming from disengaged employees as a result of lack of recognition. Generally, disengaged employees are directly associated with: Increased turnover rates, decreased employee empowerment, unsatisfying performance results, and poor team culture.

Recognition is the cornerstone of creating high performance in your company’s culture. Only expectations from the company would not help drive high performance. Recognition at various levels must be embedded because recognition is the best form of feedback.

Embed employee recognition in your company culture

The annual survey of over 450 WorldatWork members found that among companies where a recognition culture was deeply embedded, and 100% of respondents said it had a positive effect on employee engagement3.

There are many ways employers can recognize staff contribution. But there are two main divisions: Structured recognition and Unstructured recognition.

  1. Structured recognition:  This type of recognition may take many forms. In recognition of an employee’s contribution to the organization, a “year of service” award can be presented at specific intervals; it may be a monthly/quarterly/annual award. Some organizations have also been known to award their employees for their high performance by compensating them with frequent promotions. Examples are A “top achiever ribbon”, A trophy or plaque in honor of the employee
  2. Unstructured recognition:  This takes the form of an on-spot pat on the back by supervisors and managers just to appreciate them instantly for a job well done. The organization might also promote its employees publicly through the company’s social media handles. Do this on their special days or anytime just to make them feel loved and valued. It could also take the form of public acceptance of good performance. Other examples include a party thrown in the recipient’s honor, or an entire group that has done a great job, a reserved parking space for a week, a shout-out written comment via cards, and a public recognition saluting individual/team accomplishments

Implementing Effective Employee Recognition

Below are some rules of thumb and ideas that can help employers provide accurate Employee Recognition:

  1. Have a well-written strategy: A scattered approach to employee recognition should not be implemented. Instead, put well-structured and defined goals in place. Employers should recognize and appreciate the accomplishments that will make the organization more productive and only focus on those
  2. Be fair and consistent in employee recognition: The highest performers should not be recognized alone, it deprives other contributors. State the criteria for recognition for all employees clearly and all those who meet the criteria should be recognized
  3. Be Timely: Offer recognition immediately because it helps to boost the employee’s positive feelings. This, in turn, helps to boost employee’s confidence in their ability to do more in their job
  4. Determine the right method: The best method to reward and appreciate your employees should be in line with the company’s culture. An employee may enjoy public recognition at an event while another might prefer a shout-out written comment via cards on the notice board

Great companies are aware that their employees are the heart of their business. Engaged and happy employees would not only bring positive energy to their work but also increase the company’s revenue and profit. The advantages of appreciating your employees cannot be overemphasized. There are many ways for the management to show the employees the recognition they deserve. Whichever method is used or practiced it must lead to increased productivity.

Reference:

  1. https://getreferralmd.com/2018/06/7-ways-to-boost-employee-morale-increase-engagement-and-prevent-turnover/
  2. https://getreferralmd.com/2018/06/7-ways-to-boost-employee-morale-increase-engagement-and-prevent-turnover/
  3. https://www.tlnt.com/how-to-build-a-deeply-embedded-recognition-culture/
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