A job might have it all: good compensation, friendly co-workers, solid work-life balance. But unless employees feel recognized for their work, studies show they may still feel unfulfilled.
What do the numbers say?
According to a recent survey of almost 2,000 employees conducted by Nectar, 83.6% of employees feel that whether or not they are recognized impacts their motivation to succeed at work, and 77.9% feel that they would be more productive if their work was recognized more frequently.
Not only are employees more productive when they feel rewarded for their work, they are more likely to stay with a company. According to a 2022 article by Zippia, employees who are recognized are almost six times more likely to stay at their jobs than those who aren’t.
What can employers do to recognize their employees?
Create a culture of recognition. According to Nectar’s survey, 63% of employees wish they were told “thank you” more. Maybe at all-hands meetings, you could end with space for employees or managers to give a shout-out to the individuals that have helped them recently or have been doing exceptionally good work. When you notice good work, send a note or stop by an employee’s desk to let them know, and encourage others to do the same.
Reward initiative. When an employee goes above and beyond what is expected, make sure you pay attention. For example, if an employee not only does their assigned training, but takes the initiative to learn new skills, that employee might be someone to consider for a raise or promotion. If you want an employee to repeat a behavior, make sure that behavior is somehow rewarded.
Friendly competition. One strategy that many BlueVolt partners use to keep their employees improving and growing is to turn training into a friendly competition—for example, by giving a prize to the top learners or entering those who complete a certain amount of additional training into a drawing. This naturally generates a space for those who are going the extra mile to be recognized.
Conclusion
If you want to not only hire, but keep, the best employees, make sure they feel appreciated for their efforts. A positive workspace and encouraging feedback will not only help you retain your employees, but will help them feel more fulfilled and enjoy their work.
Reach out today to learn how BlueVolt can support employee recognition through training!
Sources: 26 Employee Recognition Statistics You Need To Know In 2024 (nectarhr.com), 27 Essential Employee Recognition Statistics [2023]: Need To Know Facts For Managers And HR - Zippia
