5 Great Things Companies Can Do to Recognize Their Employees was originally published on Firsthand.
Positive employee engagement and retention are hallmarks of any great company. More times than not, companies that don’t suffer constant employee turnover and that have happy, actively participating employees are companies that recognize and outwardly appreciate the people who work hard for them. Today we’re going to take a look at some ways in which companies can encourage and celebrate their employees, while fostering a positive workplace environment.
Spontaneous Positive Feedback
Any good company knows that a positive, healthy employee culture comes from the top down. Encouraging those in leadership roles to consistently recognize employees for a job well done is a great way to spread positivity and boost engagement. Being spontaneous about giving props to an employee who solved a problem or who performed exceptionally well during a project will not only motivate that employee, but will also encourage those in earshot to strive to be better.
These types of interactions can take place during normal, day-to-day operations, as well as during team meetings or presentations. It’s a simple fact that being in a positive environment boosts morale, which will lead to increased productivity and engagement, and will mitigate employee turnover.
Monthly Awards
Many companies have “Employee of the Month” awards, typically including a Sears-style framed photograph with a fancy engraving. This is all good and well, but what companies should be doing is letting their employees nominate their peers for awards, rather than having the leadership team select the recipient.
Putting the peer-nominated employee of the month award into practice might include asking each employee to select an individual of their choice, while sharing the reasons why they believe that person deserves the award. Then, the person with the most nominations is presented with the award, which can be anything from a gift card to a day off, or even some sweet cash.
Employee Engagement Platforms
Nowadays, more and more companies are implementing point-based employee engagement platforms into their day-to-day operations. These platforms are great because they allow employees to recognize one another by giving points that can be redeemed for a variety of gifts. Examples of such platforms are Trakstar, 15Five, Kudos, and Culture Amp.
There are several great benefits to implementing an employee engagement platform, such as improved communication and increased employee alignment, greater productivity, and a positive employee culture. Additionally, companies can take advantage of their own communication platform, such as Slack, in order to create a channel where employees can recognize each other’s achievements and provide encouragement.
Share Employee Achievements on Social Media
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Another way in which companies can recognize the achievements of their employees is by sharing them on social media. This goes along with the more informal approach of spontaneous positive feedback, but on a much larger scale. When an employee is recognized on their company’s social media feed, not only will their immediate coworkers see, but so will each user who follows the company account.
Prizes at Company Parties
Let’s keep it simple for this last one with a good ol’ tried and true classic, because everyone loves winning prizes. At company functions, such as a holiday party or some other celebration, leadership can set up games where employees can win prizes such as gift cards or dinner at a nice restaurant.
Additionally, such functions are a great place for employers to award employees based on their achievements. The formality – the pomp and circumstance, if you will – that goes along with certain company celebrations will provide an even stronger sense of accomplishment for the recipient, and is also just a whole lot of fun.
If you’re currently looking for a job, take the time to see whether or not the company implements any of the above employee recognition programs. Working in a positive environment will help you to be the best you can be, and can even net you some sweet prizes. Motivated employees are what make a great company reach its full potential, and it’s up to the leadership team to foster an environment that is positive and encouraging.
