Appreciation in the Workplace

By Danielle Birchard

People all feel appreciated in different ways. And showing appreciation within the workplace can be difficult for some people. Will that employee be embarrassed? Is the company doing enough to recognize hard work? How can we offer feedback and praise? Giving or receiving compliments and accolades is different for each person. So, what are some more ways to make you team feel valued?

The easy answer is compensation. That is what most employees are looking for. If workers are doing a stellar job with their responsibilities, meeting deadlines, exceeding expectations, engaging with the team, and performing above expectations, of course they should be compensated accordingly. But lets look beyond that to the smaller ways that make different impacts on employees as they perform their jobs well.

A simple word of encouragement and thanks can go further than you think. Sometimes this is a one-on-one compliment or sometimes this is a big shoutout in front of the team. Each person handles being called out differently, even when the call out is praise. Consider offering recognition on social media, during company meetings, in newsletters, and in day-to-day conversations. But with all these options, take personalities into consideration when offering acknowledgment.

Offer opportunities for employees to give feedback and ideas, whether it is about the company and its culture, programs and projects, or suggestions for how to create a stronger workplace. Your employees are the best people to ask for ideas when you are trying to figure out how to boost morale. Sometimes management and HR need those extra recommendations to find ways to keep everyone engaged. And then actually take those suggestions.

Tangible items can show appreciation. Make healthy snacks available, encourage employees to go on walks and eat lunch together, remember dates like work anniversaries and birthdays, plan company events and team building activities, offer wellness coaching and other training opportunities. All of these things being said, pizza parties and access to gyms should not replace bonuses or compensation but should rather come as extra forms of appreciation that come alongside compensation. Happy employees increase productivity.

It must be remembered that employees spend a third of their day in the workplace, and their time and efforts must be valued. Coming to work should not be drudgery but should rather trigger the remembrance that they are contributing to something big and important. They must know that their time and efforts are valued.