Employees are one of a company’s greatest assets.

Recognition and appreciation are known as one of the key motivational factors in the workplace.

If everyone knows that to be true, then why are leaders and managers still missing the mark?

Why aren’t more organizations appreciating their employees?

The Numbers

• “79% of people who quit their jobs cite ‘lack of appreciation’ as their reason for leaving.”

• “69% of employees say they would work harder if they felt their effort were better recognized.”

• “When asked what leaders could do more of to improve engagement, 58% of responders said, give recognition.”

• “50% of employees believe being thanked by managers not only improve their relationship but also build trust with their higher-ups.”

• “45% of U.S. workers surveyed said they haven’t been recognized at work in six months or more. Another 16% said they have never been recognized.”

• “The number one type of recognition that organization have in place is for recognizing years of service.”

If organizations are waiting until employees hit a monumental year of service to show appreciation, then most employee contributions are going unrecognized.

No occasion is necessary to appreciate coworkers, colleagues, and employees.

In fact, small acts of kindness and small tokens of appreciation spread throughout the year will make people feel valued all year long.

The opportunities are endless.

Be Polite - Social niceties can go a long way. Using manors, saying please and thank you, is appreciated by all.

Give feedback - Give recognition sooner rather than later. If you wait, the employee may have already forgotten what they did.

Write a Note – A nice, hand-written note is a more personal approach. It’s something that an employee can keep and read over again. Notes mean more than a high five or an e-mail sent at the end of the day.

Treat the Team – Occasional rewards are okay. In the midst of business, after a tough completion, reward the team with lunch or even close the office early. Enjoy the little things. Celebrate the wins.

Culture – Encourage employees to uplift one another. To recognize the achievements of those around them. After all, we are a team.

There are a variety of ways that an employer can appreciate an employee’s efforts and contributions.

Employee appreciation is not a fluffy idea.

Rather than brushing it aside, think about the benefits recognition has to offer.

Expressing employee appreciation increases employee job satisfaction.
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Happy Employee Appreciation Day!