Psst…don’t forget, this Friday, March 1st is Employee Appreciation Day!
Do we really need a holiday to appreciate our employees?
No, but – much like Thanksgiving, Father’s Day, and Mother’s Day – sometimes we need the reminder to pause, reflect, and express our gratitude to our team by explicitly recognizing the value that they bring to the organization. But you do raise an excellent point…
Employees need to feel valued, not only on Employee Appreciation Day, but every day.
Every, every day? Geesh, this sounds like a relationship!
Yeah, it is a relationship – hopefully, a fulfilling one! Think about it: employees devote a considerable amount of time and energy to their work, so it makes sense that they would want to feel like their work matters. That they matter. To their employer. Yes, they’re being paid to do a job, but that’s more of transactional commitment. We all do better work when we feel appreciated for the work we’ve done – it’s a virtuous cycle!
What makes employees feel valued? Everyone’s different.
You’re right, everyone is different – all the more reason to get to know your employees individually and discover what makes them tick. That being said, (almost) universally, employees feel valued when they frequently experience:
- Communication. Providing constructive feedback, listening to their ideas, and maintaining open lines of communication show that their opinions and efforts are respected and valued.
- Recognition. Granted, how they want to be recognized may differ greatly among employees (be sure to ask), but acknowledging employees’ efforts and achievements lets them know that they’re having a positive impact, which is something we all want. Often, a simple “thank you for…” is all that’s required.
- Support. Maybe they need help prioritizing their workload when they feel spread too thin, or an intro to a VIP whose support is critical to a project they’re heading. Or they might need help covering their work amidst a personal challenge that requires their time and attention, in which case it goes a long way if you acknowledge their pressing concerns outside of work and show compassion.
When employees feel valued, they are more committed to the organization and report higher engagement.
What is employee engagement?
Employee engagement is the mental and emotional connection an employee has to their work, their team, and the organization. In other words, they’re tuned in and they care.
That sounds nice, but how does employee engagement impact performance?
We’re glad you asked! Engaged employees – those who are focused and committed – tend to have higher job performance and are less likely to leave the company. Organizations with high employee engagement outperform competitors as a result of better innovation and customer satisfaction, as well as their ability to attract and retain top talent.
So, employee appreciation impacts employee engagement, which impacts organizational performance?
Yes! Sure, there are other factors that matter, too, but we’ll save those for another blog 😉 In the meantime, take a moment to express appreciation to your team members by acknowledging the value they add.
Need help?
HR Elements is a full-service, outsourced HR firm dedicated to helping our clients attract, engage, develop and retain talent. Click here to learn more about how we help organizations measure and enhance employee engagement, creating a culture where everyone thrives.
