When you’ve put all your effort into a task or project, someone recognizing the hard work you’ve done makes completing that project all the sweeter. We’re just hardwired as human beings like that – we like our efforts to be noticed and we like appreciation and praise. And when those efforts are praised in the workplace, we feel more connected to our work, our team, and the organization as a whole. Employee recognition is more important than you think. And it can have a much greater impact on your organization than just a smiling face. Let’s explore how.

In short, being recognized for a job well done has a direct impact on employee morale. So why are more companies not taking advantage of how impactful even the most simple form of praise can be in raising employee morale?

The good news is that if you don’t already have a system of recognition in place, it’s not hard to establish one to raise employee morale and satisfaction on the job.

What is Employee Recognition?

Employee recognition is actually pretty simple. It’s the act of publicly thanking employees or recognizing them for an achievement or job well done. And unlike employee rewards, it doesn’t have to be something big or even tangible. It can be as simple as a thank you note, a channel-wide message in Slack, a shout out during a faculty or team meeting, or any other gesture that lets the employee know they are seen and appreciated.

Just this simple act can help establish a relationship of trust and appreciation from the top of a company down. And while it boosts morale for individuals, employee recognition can also have the following benefits:

• Increased engagement
• Decreased employee turnover
• Increased job satisfaction
• Positive team culture
• Decreased absenteeism

In all, feeding the part of the brain that craves appreciation and recognition can create a healthier, more productive work environment with happier, less stressed employees.

Things to Remember When Recognizing Employees

If you’re looking to get the most impact by recognizing employees, there are a few key factors to keep in mind that will help you boost morale:

Think About Where the Message is Coming From

It’s important to put some thought into who is going to give the recognition to make the most impact on the employee. Take note of where recognition doesn’t typically come from and tap those sources. This could be the team or person who is the direct beneficiary of that employee’s hard work or leaders in the organization whose interaction with employees can be limited. Making sure that all stakeholders are part of the appreciation process will make a much more lasting impression.

Consider the Timing

When it comes to most things in life, timing is everything. This is even true when it comes to showing appreciation for employees. While in-the-moment recognition with a casual, “Good job!” is nice, to make recognition more impactful, it needs to be a little more planned out. One thing to plan is the perfect time to send out such recognition.

For example, if a project is completed well by an individual or team, recognition several weeks after the fact isn’t going to do much for morale. In fact, when it comes around, chances are it will have the opposite effect you’re hoping for. Also, think of key times when a little morale boost may be needed, such as at the beginning of a new quarter or in the middle of your company’s busiest or most stressful time.

Choose the Place Wisely

Positive feedback given in private has its time and place. But if you want to motivate the entire team, show recognition for jobs well done publicly. Seeing one employee singled out and given accolades is a good motivation for other members of the company to step up in hopes of getting them next time.

Public recognition can be a double-edged sword, however. If you notice that public recognition causes a sense of conflict between employees or demotivates others who didn’t get recognized, it may be time to take a look at how you’re recognizing good employees and do so in a different way. This will be entirely up to the culture of your company.

Start Small with Employee Recognition

Showing authentic appreciation shouldn’t feel like a burden to the messenger. So don’t feel like grand gestures are the only way to express what a great job someone is doing. A simple handwritten note, a broadcast on a messenger program, or a certificate at the next staff meeting can still make a big impact on that employee who needs the affirmation.

Looking for more ways you can incentivize employees while increasing team morale and productivity? Let’s start by assessing how your current system is hitting (or not hitting) the right notes. Contact CoreCentive today and let’s get started!