The Link Between Employee Recognition and Improved Engagement
Every year, employers invest millions of dollars in boosting employee engagement – and for good reasons. Enhanced employee recognition or engagement has the power to decrease employee turnover, improve workplace morale, and increase overall quality and productivity. However, despite all these efforts and investments made to enhance engagement in the workplace, there is still a disconnect between employees and employers.
According to annual Gallup surveys, the level of employee engagement has remained stagnant at around 30 percent for the last decade. This survey shows that seven out of 10 employees do not feel any type of engagement in the workplace. So, what is causing this disconnect, and what can employers do to bridge the gap?
Is Employee Recognition the Missing Link?
Gallup’s latest State of the American Workplace report reveals that only 30 percent of the workers surveyed claimed to have received any type of praise or recognition for their work efforts over the past seven days. Could it be a coincidence that the same percentage of workers who feel engaged at work also receive consistent praise at work? Probably not. In fact, the Gallup report also shows that employees who were not recognized over the last seven days were more likely to quit their current jobs for other job opportunities.
The more likely scenario is that employee recognition and employee engagement go hand in hand. After all, who doesn’t like to be recognized for a job well done, and who doesn’t feel more connected, or engaged, with a person who gives them praise. Why are employer missing this link? Perhaps it’s not that employers are missing the value of employee recognition, but that they are relying on outdated practices to achieve modern-day results.
For example, in the past, employers relied on annual performance reviews to provide feedback, both good and bad, to their employees. Employers often used these yearly reviews as a form of recognition. While these performance reviews still have their place, today’s employees want and demand more. Employees don’t want to wait until the end of the year to know how they are doing; they want instant feedback and instant recognition.
How Does Employee Recognition Boost Employee Engagement?
Employee recognition can help to foster employee engagement because it opens the lines for better communication between organizational levels within the company. For example, employee recognition provides opportunities for management to connect one-on-one with employees regularly throughout the year. Employee recognition also allows the company, teams, departments and coworkers to celebrate successes within the company together.
According to a recent study, 95 percent of employees do not have a clear understanding of the company’s overall mission. When correctly implemented, employee recognition also can bridge this disconnect by giving management a platform to reinforce company goals and values.
Tips for Creating an Effective Employee Recognition Program
Creating an employee recognition program just for the sake of having one will not generate the results your company needs to grow. It’s critical that you take the time to create a well-developed employee recognition program that resonates with your employees and promotes engagement. Here are some tips to help you create an effective employee recognition program.
1. Clearly Defined – The best way to show your workers that you are creating a fair employee recognition program is to define its purpose, goals and structure clearly and make sure everyone understands the process.
2. Transparent – You must keep your employee recognition programs as transparent as possible. Your workers should understand expectations and know how recognition will be handled right from the start.
3. Visible – Employee recognition is not a program that you can implement and forget. You must continuously promote this program at all levels within the workforce.
4. Consistent – To have any real effects, you must be consistent with your employee recognition program. Work to build a culture of recognition so that it becomes the expectation rather than the exception.
The right employee recognition can help to boost employee engagement and provide your company with a variety of benefits, including improved retention, better workplace communication and increased productivity. Contact CoreCentive today to learn more about developing an effective employee recognition program in your workplace.
