Employee Recognition 

Is it really necessary?

Ever poured all your time and energy onto a project or task, not just to see it to completion but to ensure that the outcome is outstanding? That sense of accomplishment is quite inspiring and when the team and especially the management take note of the same, it is quite reaffirming.

As human-beings, from an early age we have this innate feeling to want recognition from those we regularly associate with such as family members, friends, teachers and this is more apparent during the developmental periods.

The desire for positive affirmation continues in our adult life even as we settle in the workspace. Acknowledging an employee is critical because that mere act of recognizing an achievement, raises employee confidence and contributes to high performance.

What is Employee Recognition?

Employee Recognition is the public acknowledgement for employee contribution, achievement, exhibiting desired behavior or hitting a milestone.

Successful brands in Kenya have come to the realization that they perform better when there is more appreciation in the company.

There is a sense of ownership and pride when employees are recognized for their efforts; they feel more connected to the company which could contribute to high performance and employee retention.

A company that has adopted the culture of giving genuine recognition to deserving employees are well on their way to unleashing the capabilities of their employees.

In recent times...

We have seen an increase in headhunting for talent and as such, employees are now choosing who their employers will be. Majority of the workforce today comprises millennials and GenZers who mainly value recognition if it’s authentic and memorable.

In this regard, companies have to regularly review their recognition and reward schemes in order to meet the changing needs while matching the expectations of this new generation of workers.

One of the key elements in increasing employee engagement, productivity, retention as well as making them feel valued is employee recognition.

Benefits of Employee Recognition

1. Enhances Employee Happiness

Constant and meaningful recognition keeps employees happy while at work and even after they have clocked out. Promoting recognition in the workplace, creates happy employees who in turn create a positive work environment boosting motivation and performance.

2. Enhances Employee Retention 

It is one thing to hire the right employee, but you also have to create room for training, development.

There is also need to motivate them in order for them to continue performing their job to the best of their ability and ultimately retaining them. 

Recognition helps employees feel valued and that their input is impactful for the organization. This keeps them engaged and linked to the goals and values of the company making them more likely to want to continue working there.

3. Increased Employee Engagement and Productivity

When you recognize an employee for their work, you affirm their position in the company and they feel that they are a great fit for the company. This keeps them motivated to continue giving their best at work which in turn improves productivity.

4. Culture of Self-Improvement

Constant employee recognition can motivate them to experiment, learn new things, master their skills and enable them to perform their jobs better.

It also encourages them to seek ways that will enable them to keep abreast of new skills and industry knowledge.

5. Boost Morale

The company leaders play a major role in the motivation of employees. The mere act of informing employees that the management sees and appreciates their effort goes a long way to boost morale. 

Employees feel seen and appreciated when leaders take note of even the small things.

Recognition makes employees feel good about their performance, they are then in a better mood which can lead to greater job satisfaction. 

Simple gestures such as a verbal complement, a greeting, a sincere expression of gratitude or apologizing for a misunderstanding may seem trivial but these are subtle but great ways to show appreciation and respect.

6. Strengthens Employer Branding

Employer branding is key for an organization that wants to set itself apart from the competition and one way to go about it is having a culture of employee recognition.

As a result, word goes round and high quality talent would be drawn to work for this organization.

In turn the company gets outstanding employees which increases the potential of the organization’s success.

7. Foster Strong Work Relationships

To build a rapport between a leader and their junior employees, it is important to not only cultivate a culture of recognition.

In addition, it’s beneficial to have a well-balanced feedback system where both positive and constructive observations can co-exist. This helps build trust and teamwork driving a shared sense of purpose and collaboration.

The reality is…

A company culture that seeks to appreciate top performing employees forms a foundation that has strong employee engagement and retention.