How to Show Appreciation to Employees?
Photo Courtesy: USACE Europe District
Your employees are the backbones of your organization. It is extremely important for you to show appreciation to employees in an appropriate way. This is not just a means of recognition to the work they have done but also a source of motivation for them to perform better even in the future. Appreciation can be shown in different ways but the best way is usually the one that make your employees happy and content.
1. Loud Appreciation
Every person loves to be in the limelight. Appreciation that comes from all quarters makes him/her feel on top of the world. When top management appreciates an employee in front of the whole organization, there is no higher recognition. His/her ego gets a royal boost and he/she also strives to maintain the goodwill for as long as he/she is with the organization.
2. Create Flexible Working Hours
When a group of employees have consistently demonstrated good performance, you can introduce flexible working hours for them. This can also be made applicable to the entire organization either to encourage them to work better or as a means of appreciation to employees on their commendable performance. When there is a possibility to adjust working hours with their entry and exit times, rigid working hours can be prevented and employees have the liberty to choose timings in collaboration with their unit or group.
3. Have Fun at Work
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. So introduce fun elements at work through specific recreational activities and group building exercises so that monotony at work can be avoided. Employees understand that the management takes efforts to offer relaxation to them through such appreciation efforts.
4. Invite Recommendations and Feedback
Participatory management is successful most times. When you let your employees recommend ideas and offer suggestions, your acceptance depending upon the feasibility means a lot to them. Since they have made suggestions, they try to ensure that things are performed to the optimal extent possible. This way you ensure two objectives – maximum performance and employee appreciation. Similarly, inviting feedback makes them feel that their voice is being heard and adhered to.
5. Offer Monetary Benefits
An exemplary performance must be awarded or rewarded in some form. When it is in the form of money, happiness doubles. A small amount as a token of appreciation makes employees feel proud and happy and pushes them to work further.
6. Get Out of the Workplace
Once in a while, you as a boss can take your employees or each group (if the numbers are huge) for lunch or some form of get-together. They feel they are an integral part of the organization and dining with the management shows the level of importance you attach to every employee.
7. Surprise with Gifts
Gifts could be of any nature. They could be coupons or food baskets or chocolate hampers or even dollars. Surprise your employee by walking to his/her desk or workplace and personally handing over a gift in recognition for his/her wonderful performance.
Showing appreciation to employees is the fundamental and significant way to motivate and recognize their efforts. Where there is no appreciation, you need not expect any gratitude or loyalty from your employees. This is also one of the important reasons for widespread attrition in organizations.
