It’s the season to give thanks for all things, especially your employees. Many employers overlook employee appreciation because they believe that in order to make an impact, employee appreciation has to be grandiose. They think the only way their employees will feel appreciated is with a tropical vacation, cash bonus, or raise. However, that is simply not the case. In fact, impactful appreciation can be as simple as saying “thank you” or giving verbal recognition for a job well done. Here we will discuss the best ways to show your employees appreciation so you can get a jumpstart on your holiday.
Public Recognition
For even the most reserved employees, a little bit of public recognition goes a long way. Employees work hard all year long, many of them behind the scenes never getting to really show others what they have done. Giving them a certificate or performance award creates the opportunity for that to happen. And, even if they don’t relish in the limelight forever, most employees enjoy when both their superiors and their peers are informed of what they have accomplished.
Offer Yourself as a Mentor
Public recognition is not possible every day, that’s why private recognition is vital. Research shows that employees are loyal to careers not jobs. If an employee does their work diligently day after day and their work is not acknowledged at all, that takes a toll on the human brain. Employees want to see they have the potential for upward mobility in a job and when they don’t ever experience appreciation, the feeling of that potential goes away. Offering yourself as a mentor to employees who show potential will create a feeling of worth for your employee and they will be more likely to stick around.
Be Real and Make It Personal
Employees can sniff out fake appreciation from a mile away. So, if you want to begin recognizing your employees make sure you are doing it the right way and with sincerity. Don’t just show appreciation for the sake of appreciation, wait until your employee has done something meaningful. Appreciation is much more meaningful when your employee recognizes their accomplishment as well.
Truthfully, employee recognition is best when it is adopted as a company instead of just by one manager, supervisor, or executive. Therefore, if you want to make a big difference for your employees and for your companies you will focus on creating an employee recognition program that creates a company culture. In a company that is focused on appreciation, anyone can recognize an employee and have it be meaningful. Yes, supervisors, executives, human resource employees, and even peers can all give meaningful recognition and appreciation.
If you are on the fence about employee recognition, you should know it is worth the investment of both your time and money. Employees who are recognized regularly are happier in their jobs and more productive. So, be thankful if you want your company to be successful.