We’re nearing the end of 2021—and let’s be honest—it’s been another incredibly challenging year. Keeping employees energized and engaged is never easy—and with many workers still remote, the distractions of home, social isolation and the realities of Zoom fatigue make engagement all the more difficult.
One way to combat slipping employee engagement? Recognition. Employees need to know that the work they do has an impact on the overarching goals of the organization. Without consistent recognition and praise, employees become less engaged and the culture suffers.
This is a great time to take a look at the formal and informal recognition practices at your organization—and see where you can step things up. An important step in building out your recognition strategy is to start by listening to your employees. Understanding each employee on an individual level and the types of recognition that they find most impactful can ensure that whatever measures you take hit the mark.
As you’re building out your recognition toolkit, we have some great thought starters for how you can make your people feel more appreciated.
1. Handwritten note
Whether it’s a thank you card or even an informal sticky note left at a desk, taking the time to write out your positive feedback in a tangible way really does make a difference. And remember, when providing positive feedback, it’s important to call out specific details or actions and their positive impact so the recipient knows what they’re doing right and how they can repeat it in the future.
2. Spot bonus
For employees who appreciate a gift, an in-the-moment cash bonus or gift card is a great way to reward employees for going above and beyond. It’s a win-win. Employees get an opportunity to reward themselves with the thing they’d like best, and they get a concrete example of how engagement and hard work lead to tangible rewards.
3. Public shout-out in a team meeting
For those that enjoy public recognition, shout-outs during meetings are an effective way to show appreciation. Specifics are key here. It’s important to call out specific behavior or actions and the impact they had on the team, company or customer. This works well over Zoom or in person, and from management or from peers. If you’d like to encourage team member shout-outs, add it to your team meeting agenda, so employees can come prepared with their shout-outs.
4. “WOW card”
Another take on public recognition is a formalized approach to team shout-outs. At Xenium, we use “WOW Cards”—a card that employees can fill out to celebrate their colleagues. First, they check off the Xenium Promise statement that closely matches what they’re recognizing the colleague for, and on the back they describe what the employee did. We share all of the “WOW” recognition from the previous month in a video call—and record it to ensure everyone gets a chance to see it.
5. Praise on social media
Sometimes recognition deserves to be broadcasted beyond an organization’s walls. Celebrating an employee on social media is fun for their partners, friends and family members to see—and gives the employee an opportunity to re-share to their wider network if they like. It’s also a great way to show off your company culture and your people—both to prospective employees and the wider world.
6. Catered lunch
Nothing says “thank you” for a job well done like a pizza party or a catered lunch from a local favorite. Employees remote? You can still treat them to lunch. Most food delivery services offer an option to provide employees with a stipend or voucher that makes it easy for people to order what they like. To really make it feel like a celebration, ensure calendars are clear so everyone gets the time they need to enjoy their free lunch.
7. Deliver a treat
Remember, even small gestures have a big impact. For employees who appreciate gifts, a hot coffee or a sweet treat paired with a note of thanks is a great way to show appreciation. Again, knowing your employees is critical here. The gesture doesn’t land as well if you send cookies to someone who’s gluten-free or a coffee to someone who’s off caffeine. These kinds of treats make the biggest impact when you take the time to treat them to something they’ll love.
No matter which tactics you choose, establishing a consistent approach to recognition (and ensuring managers follow through with it) can go a long way in boosting morale and employee engagement. After all, your people are your greatest resource.
Seeking a partner to build out your people strategy? Schedule a call to learn more about our Custom HR model.