5 things employers should know about employee appreciation

The importance of employee appreciation

Why is it important to show appreciation to employees? Appreciating employees not only means praising them for their achievements. Now more than ever, it is even more important for companies and managers to take a genuine interest in their employees as people — to respect and recognise them. Recognise and reward employees not only for their work performance but also their personality, unique values and interests. Employee appreciation also goes hand in hand with attentiveness, awareness and respect.

Showing appreciation in the workplace

Employees are the most valuable resource in a company. But what about employee appreciation in companies? If you express appreciation to your employees, you can increase their motivation significantly. Mutual respect, even in the case of criticism, is vital for the well-being of employees and can have a significant positive impact. Employees are willing to perform better, carry out their tasks more conscientiously and invest more time and commitment in the company when they feel appreciated. The willingness to communicate between employees and their managers and their loyalty to the company is more robust when there is a company culture of appreciation in the office. On the other hand, those who receive too little appreciation at work can even become ill.

Appreciation is an essential attitude that managers show their employees, as well as the other way around — preferably on a regular basis. So this is not about one-time praise for a performance, but about the person and the interest in them as human beings. This naturally raises the question of how you can best show your genuine appreciation for your employees in addition to financial aspects.

Employee appreciation measures

Employee appreciation measures at work are much more than just congratulating employees on birthdays or anniversaries. A far greater appreciation measure for employees can be showing trust or asking for their opinion because it is valuable. The little things and often inconspicuous moments make employees feel valued by their employer or manager. Usually, even small personal acts of appreciation, such as a simple thank you recognition. Providing verbal appreciation for their hard work or excellent performance can lead to positive things such as increased job satisfaction. Another employee appreciation measure is recognising and encouraging employees' talents. Such behaviour communicates to the employee that he is perceived as an individual and is vital to the company. These employee appreciation measures can increase the employee's work behaviour many times over if the employee knows that he is not regarded as just a number or a neutral resource.

To better implement appreciation at work, we have compiled a list of possible measures:

• Involve employees in decision-making processes and take their views into account
• Provide an online course, education or training to strengthen and develop new skills
• Adjusting working hours to the needs of employees — allowing them more quality time
• Thanking employees for their contribution to work or support
• Establish a positive work climate through feedback sessions and team building activities
• Providing a break room or other spaces for relaxation and recreation
• Enabling employees to attend educational events or field trip
• Allowing employees to take on responsibility and participate in projects
• Let employees choose a reward from an employee recognition program
• Provide a free pizza lunch

These measures can positively affect employees and make them feel appreciated and valued, and lead to closer company loyalty in the long term.

Employee appreciation for each other

What conditions must be fulfilled to motivate and retain employees and managers equally? An appreciative company culture provides the best basis for this. It assumes respectful interaction with one another and thus promotes constructive feedback addressing critical aspects. Colleagues and managers should support each other and treat each other with respect; this expresses appreciation for each other. This includes employees contributing creative ideas to solve problems instead of just taking criticism or nagging themselves. Away from one's own team, the culture of appreciation between employees should be extended to the entire organization to achieve sustainable positive effects on productivity and employee satisfaction.

For managers, the importance of appreciation for employees and the company is increasingly recognised. However, the subjective and individual perceptions of employees, who perceive and react to appreciation in different ways, should always be considered. Influencing criteria are certainly unique experiences, personality and socialisation. Whereas some employees prefer public recognition, other coworkers experience appreciation from the team when working together on significant projects.

There are various ways to communicate appreciation to employees, coworkers and managers. Essential elements for expressing appreciation include clear goal setting, constructive feedback, and meaningful rewards individualised to each staff member. In this way, a company culture of recognition is created in which employees and managers can experience appreciation and communicate it openly.

5 things employers should know about employee appreciation:

Authenticity

In order for the employer's appreciation to be perceived as such by its employees, it should come from the heart and be authentic.

Regularity

Appreciation should be expressed at employee meetings or other occasions and in everyday situations. Short and spontaneous expressions of appreciation can be effective in these situations.

Individuality

Since every employee is different, they may feel particularly valued if they are perceived individually, and the employer responds to their specific performance accordingly.

Appreciation measures

It is not only financial appreciation measures that lead to increased satisfaction among employees. Freedoms such as flexible working hours or additional vacation days can also be effective, but also spoken appreciation.

Integration of appreciation

Recognition should be provided not only by the employer but also by other team members. This allows appreciation to be firmly integrated into the company, making every team member feel equally valued.

Conclusion

Above all, regular positive feedback contributes to an excellent working atmosphere and increases employee commitment. This is where the use of social recognition tools comes in. The platform encore is the solution for companies to communicate corporate values and exploit the full employee potential with the help of transparently communicated appreciation.

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