We Need a New Recognition Playbook
So here we are still in the midst of the pandemic and still trying to figure out how to recognize our employees in these new unchartered waters. Showing employees appreciation for their work seems harder during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Many of the old ways of thanking employees just don’t work as well during a pandemic. More expressions of workplace appreciation are needed now more than ever. So how can we fill this gap and keep our employees engaged and motivated?
What Employees Need Now
According to the Human Resource Executive, HRE, employees need more in-the-moment and frequent points of recognition and gratitude. COVID-19 is accelerating the need for employers to frequently acknowledge employees’ hard work. Some advice to employers includes the following:
- Focus on your employees’ well-being. Recognition is a really important part of well-being. Employee well-being and recognition are directly tied together.
- Offer simple acknowledgements like e-cards, emails, calling out employees for their hard work during team meetings and simply saying thank you. One kind word can change a person’s day.
- Show appreciation universally and frequently. Employees want to know they are appreciated for their efforts. There should be no limits to recognition, as long as it’s genuine.
- Nurture qualities of connection and community within your organization. Employees are in a world that desperately needs kindness, recognition and empathy.
- Especially appreciate and recognize employees working from home. Employees say employee recognition and appreciation is more important while working from home. Find ways to show appreciation through digital methods.
- Express appreciation and gratitude for employees as part of company-wide or team-wide communications. Connect their accomplishments to the overall success of the team or organization.
- Vocalize your gratitude. Giving verbal appreciation has a huge benefit and doesn’t cost any money at all. Employees highly value a direct comment of appreciation.
- Increase the frequency of recognition to keep spreading goodwill and to highlight the positive things that are happening at your company. Emphasize that everyone is in this together.
- Double down on the intrinsic recognition you give. Receiving praise and communication from an immediate manager and company leaders is often more valuable than non-financial incentives and rewards.
- Consider giving a shout out to all of the parents who are now working double time as home school teachers or caregivers.
- Challenge every team leader to give public recognition to someone on their team each week.
- Emphasize the positive impact that the recognized employees made by describing specifically what they did and why it mattered.
For additional ideas on helping keep employees well-balanced, check out our blog post titled Keeping Employees Engaged and Sane.
Concern and Caring are the Watchwords
In these stressful times, there is no such thing as too much kindness and consideration. If your employees feel your caring support, they will be willing to help your organization survive this pandemic. Going the extra mile for your employees will make them want to do the same for you. At Incentra, we are here to support you. Call us if you need us.
