7 Techniques To Improve Your Employee Recognition

Employee recognition and rewards are incredibly important area for businesses to develop. If you focus on improving this area, then you can look forward to the following benefits:

 

• Higher levels of staff retention. If you struggle with high staff turnover - the costs of training new employees - then improving employee recognition for existing staff members could make a huge difference in this area.
  
  
• Higher levels of employee engagement. Employee recognition is an essential element of employee engagement, as higher levels of engagement produce… 

 

• ... higher levels of employee productivity. Employees that are engaged with a business are also far more productive in their roles.

 

• Higher levels of employee motivation. There is a direct link between rewards and employee motivation levels. In turn, highly motivated employees can lead to… 

 

• ... higher levels of employee efficiency, an improved workplace environment, and many additional benefits.

 

The improvements above could make a huge difference to your business and its operations and - thankfully - these improvements are relatively easily achieved.  Read on for seven ideas you may want to implement in an effort to enhance your employee rewards and recognition efforts… 

#1 - Recognise personal accomplishments of individual employees

Personal recognition is important for employees, so try to ensure you thank and reward individuals for their efforts. This helps to avoid employees feeling like they are “just a number”; instead, they will feel like a valuable member of the team who is recognised for their own unique input into delivering results for the business.

#2 - Draw attention to praise and recognition

When an employee does well, it is extremely beneficial to mention this wherever and whenever you can. For example, you could make an announcement to the rest of the staff, add a section to the company newsletter in praise of the specific staff member, or even publish the employee’s accomplishments on your website for wider recognition. Not only does this provide fantastic recognition for the employee in question, but it also shows other employees that their efforts will always be rewarded when they do well. 

#3 - Reward employees who go above and beyond their basic duties

Employees should be recognised and rewarded when they perform their standard duties well, but it is important to make an extra effort when an employee goes above and beyond their usual responsibilities, as this will encourage them to continue to make special efforts in future also.

#4 - Use extra time off, holidays, and financial rewards as incentives

Often, a “thank you” is all an employee needs to feel their contribution has been recognised, but it is also beneficial to offer genuine material rewards in recognition of excellent work. Time off, holidays, and even financial incentives serve as both a reward for a job well done and as a form of recognition for the effort an employee makes. While you don’t have to deploy these options constantly - employees do not need to be continually, additionally rewarded for doing their jobs well - incentives can be extremely beneficial for big projects that require high levels of employee commitment to complete on time.

#5 - Encourage employees to recognise their peer

As well as receiving recognition from you, employees will also benefit from being able to receive recognition and appreciation from their colleagues. Implementing peer-to-peer recognition programs can help reinforce the company culture, reduce employee turnover due to higher levels of engagement, and make workers generally feel more valued.

#6 - Recognise non-work accomplishments

Reward and recognise your employees accomplishments outside of work; for example, you could recognise and praise a worker who runs a marathon or finally earns their next level belt in karate. Showing interest in your employees and their accomplishments helps them to feel valued as an individual rather than just another number on the payroll. 

#7 - Provide opportunities at all levels

For some employees, the opportunities for recognition and advancement simply aren’t available due to the nature of their job. Connecting and engaging these workers can be extremely difficult, but a policy of recognising their hard work and offering the potential of advancement can be extremely effective. Make it your goal that everyone in your organisation can achieve more and advance their career by performing well, no matter their job title or the type of work they produce. 

 

In conclusion

 

By implementing some - or all! - of the tips above, your business’ rewards and recognition processes will be greatly improved. This will create a happier working environment for your employees, but should also help to boost your business’ overall operations and - ultimately - your bottom line too.