Rules of Engagement: Recognize and Value Employee Efforts

Recognize This! – Employees say number 1 attribute affecting their job attitude is the recognition they receive for their efforts.

To wrap up my series of posts on the Rules of Employee Engagement, I wanted to share with you this latest Randstad Engagement Index research pointed out by John Hollon on TLNT.

According to the research, clearly employees are not happy with their current employment “deal” with fully half (51%) planning to explore job options when the economy improves. So employers are well advised to pay attention to what employees say are the best ways to engage them in the workforce.

Note employees say feeling their efforts are recognized and valued is the primary attribute affecting their attitudes towards their jobs.

The second chart is encouraging, especially in this current economic environment. I’d also argue employees who say they feel their efforts are valued and recognized are also more likely to say they are inspired to do their best and enjoy going to work every day.

Employers Not Doing Enough to Create Opportunities for Employee Recognition

More interesting to me is 28% say a formal recognition and reward program is a common activity their employers use to engage employees

Let’s think about this for a moment. Employees tell you the most important thing you can do to positively affect their attitude towards their work is recognize their efforts, yet you don’t listen. I’m drawing that conclusion because so few employees are reporting a program in place.

I’ll admit this might be a limitation of the research as it asks only about recognition and reward programs for “top performers.” (And readers know I’m a strong advocate for strategic, social recognition programs that open the opportunity for recognition to all employees.)

But the bottom line is, if simply recognizing and valuing your employees could change their attitudes towards their work and inspire them do their best, why wouldn’t you implement a strategic, social recognition program to accomplish just that?

What is the primary attribute that engages you in your work? Does your organization value and recognize your efforts?

Earlier Rules of Engagement Posts:

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