Although 99% of U.S. hiring managers say they believe it’s important to recognize employees for their work, 45% say they don’t have the resources to manage recognition effectively, according to a Nov. 24 report from Express Employment Professionals.
In addition, most hiring managers said they believe recognition provides a competitive advantage, boosts loyalty and reduces turnover.
“Recognition is a simple act with a powerful impact,” Bob Funk Jr., CEO, president and chairman of Express Employment International, said in a statement.
“It’s the everyday expression of gratitude that builds trust and strengthens teams,” he said. “When companies make recognition a priority, they create an environment where employees feel valued, morale improves and productivity rises.”
In a survey of 1,000 U.S. hiring decision-makers, 82% said they’re willing to invest in recognition for long-term success.
More than 7 in 10 employers said they provide frequent and ongoing recognition, often through private praise (70%), public praise in meetings (65%) and shoutouts in company communications (59%).
However, workers said recognition feels rare, with only half of 1,000 job seekers saying it occurs regularly and 46% saying it’s often reserved for big wins. Beyond that, only a quarter noted monthly recognition.
When employers provide recognition, the benefits echo throughout the company with increased morale, better productivity, greater engagement and stronger loyalty, the report found. Personalized approaches — from on-the-spot praise to special projects and nonmonetary rewards — can help, the firm recommended.
Finding ways to recognize workers can boost employee appreciation, retention and culture building, experts told HR Dive. Consistency, transparency and equity in recognition can help build a sustainable business where people want to work long term, they noted.
Employee appreciation can also drive employee experience, resulting in better engagement, productivity and performance, according to a WTW report. Employers can recognize professional and personal milestones alike, experts told HR Dive, by taking a more personal, frequent and less formal approach than in previous years.
