State of the Workforce
As we discussed in a previous blog post, Gallup’s newest report shows employee engagement has dropped for the first time in a decade. In 2021, only 34% of employees were engaged at work. In addition, the ratio of engaged to actively disengaged workers in the United States is now 2.1 to 1, down from 2.6 to 1 in 2020. With everything going on in the workplace today, many leaders are wondering what they can do to improve employee engagement. One of the simplest and most effective ways to start improving employee engagement is by expressing genuine appreciation for their efforts, their skills, and the unique qualities they bring to the organization. March 4, 2022 is National Employee Appreciation Day! So, if you do not already have strategies in place for expressing appreciation, now is the perfect time to start!
Tips for Showing Appreciation
The Great Resignation is no secret and it has been made very clear that if employees don’t feel accepted or appreciated at their current workplace, they have no problem leaving. However, new research by Workhuman has found that employees who were thanked at work in the last month are only half as likely to be looking for a new job. Listed below are tips for expressing appreciation that you can start implementing today!
- Be Timely: Everyone loves instant gratification and this holds true with employees. Thanking employees soon after a job well done instantly improves their mood and motivates them to continue doing well.
- Be Authentic: A sincere thank-you can be expressed in many different ways. One size doesn’t fit all, but no matter how you convey gratitude, make sure it is genuine and authentic.
- Be Inclusive: While employees higher up may have the biggest contributions, make sure to thank entry level employees for their contributions, too. This will make those employees feel both included and appreciated, and show them that there are growth opportunities for them within organization.
- Personalize It: While every employee wants to be appreciated, they don’t all want to receive it in the same way. Really get to know your employees and know what is motivating to them. Some may thrive with public appreciation while others prefer to receive appreciation one-on-one.
- Remember Your Values: Whatever your organization’s core values are, make sure the appreciation you give supports them. This shows employees you are committed to your values, which increases both their respect for you and their engagement.
Fore even more tips on showing appreciation, check out this Forbes article!
