No business would be successful without the dedication and hard work of its employees. In today’s fast-paced and competitive environment, the companies that have the advantage are those that have the best trained and well-skilled staff. However, even the most talented employees won’t perform as well if they aren’t motivated. Furthermore, great talent is hard to come by so when you find it you want to do everything you can to retain these skilled employees. This is why employee recognition is so important in the workplace. Employees appreciate sincere and heartfelt recognition from their managers and this leads to better results for the company. Creating a workplace where employees feel valued and appreciated will lead to greater retention and will yield lasting results. Here are just a few of the reasons why it is beneficial for managers to publicly recognize their employees.
Recognized Employees are Happy and Engaged
When a manager takes the time to publicly recognize an employee for their efforts, it makes that employee feel valued and appreciated for their hard work. It makes them feel good about what they do and they carry these feelings home with them. This translates into happier employees who are more engaged in their job. Happy employees are more likely to share their enthusiasm with others and they are willing to put forth extra effort for a manager who appreciates them. Studies also show that happy employees tend to be nearly 15% more productive than their unhappy counterparts. Public recognition is a win-win for everyone!
Public Recognition is a Great Motivator
While a pat on the back is certainly appreciated, it doesn’t have the same effect on other employees like public recognition. When managers recognize an employee publicly, it not only motivates that employee to keep up the good work, but it also motivates everyone else on the team as well. Every employee wants to be the next one recognized, so they are motivated to work even harder. For example, if a manager publicly recognizes the highest performing employee at each team meeting, it’s likely that other employees are going to pick up the pace so they can earn that recognition at the next meeting. This is a great way to use positive reinforcement to get employees motivated about their job.
It Increases Retention
If you consider the cost of hiring and training a new employee to the point where they are as productive as a veteran on the job, the numbers can quickly add up. Employee turnover is both exhausting and expensive so it’s in a manager’s best interest to do everything possible to avoid this scenario. Most employees admit to leaving jobs because they didn’t feel appreciated by their managers. Managers can reverse this trend and retain employees by recognizing their efforts and praising their accomplishments.
Public Recognition Boosts Morale
The way in which a manager leads their team plays a significant role in employee retention, motivation, and engagement. Public recognition builds a company culture where hard work is appreciated and performance is rewarded. Even small gestures like waving hello to employees in the morning or giving them a shout out in the break room can go a long way in boosting morale and cultivating an environment that is fun and enjoyable. Staff recognition can have a big impact on morale and can lead to greater productivity and higher retention.