Get Employee Recognition Right

Get Employee Recognition RightGet Employee Recognition RightHow you thank your employees for their hard work matters. Read on to see if you need to rethink your approach to employee appreciation.Remember back to elementary school, when it was a big deal to get a great grade on a paper followed by that coveted smiley face from your teacher? People dont outgrow their desire to receive praise from those around them, particularly those familiar with their work.Are you giving employees and coworkers that smiley face kind of joy or a big letdown? Their answers might be different than you think.Yes, were talking about youYou may be thinking, Hey, I rock at showing employee appreciation No worries here. Well, think again, because theres a chance your employees dont believe thats true.In an OfficeTeam survey, nearly nine in 10 (89 percent) senior managers said their company is effective at recognizing employees. But not all workers agreed Three in 10 (30 percent) felt their firm isnt good at showing staff appreciation.Whats mora foreboding, more than half of workers polled said it was at least somewhat likely they would leave their jobs if they didnt feel appreciated.Regularly praising your staff for a job well-done can do wonders in terms of employee morale and retention, but just handing out compliments may not be the way to go. Even small gestures, such as a handwritten thank-you card or cupcakes can make a difference in how an employee feels about your companys recognition habits.Mistakes to avoidA colleague just came through for you in a big way and you want to thank them for their hard work. Showing gratitude is great, but its easy to goof it up and send the wrong message.Get your facts straight. Nothings more embarrassing than addressing a card to the wrong person or thanking them for something they didnt even do.Dont overwhelm them. Recognition doesnt need to be extravagant to be effective. Small, everyday things like saying thank you or giving credit for good i deas can be powerful.Dont underwhelm them. The fasson of recognition should fit the degree of achievement. Giving someone a stapler for their five-year anniversary, for example, sends the message the milestone is insignificant.Be specific. Just telling a coworker that they did a good job is too generic. Properly give thanks by tying acknowledgments back to specific actions so people know exactly what they did well.Recognize all involved. Although some workers naturally gravitate toward the limelight, dont forget to also celebrate unsung heroes who help behind the scenes.Shake it upDont be afraid to get creative when it comes to saying thanks Here are some simple ways managers can make an impact with employee appreciationAward them. Nominate staff for external or internal accolades, such as employee of the month. Company awards may come with enviable prizes like a reserved parking space.Encourage professional development. Reimburse employees for participation in industry associations and conferences. Also consider giving them subscriptions to work-related publications.Give a little. Everyone appreciates tangible awards. But dont worry, that doesnt mean your staff appreciation efforts have to break the bank to make an impact. Rewards such as a gift card to the local coffee shop go a long way and cost relatively little.Look into monetary rewards. Few things have a bigger impact than extra pay. So provide spot bonuses, raises and other financial rewards if budgets allow. You may decide to save this type of employee recognition for only the most exceptional of achievements, so establish criteria that separate outstanding effort from other activities.Get feedback. You may think your staff appreciation program is awesome. But is your team among the 30 percent mentioned above? If you cant answer this question - or, worse, know that you and the group arent on the same page - your efforts wont have the intended effect.In competitive markets, good employees often have ample occasion to find new and potentially better opportunities. Giving them due recognition and making them feel appreciated can sometime make the difference between them sticking with you or joining forces with your competition.