How much do recognition and reward matter in business?
According to research by consultant O.C. Tanner, 79 percent of employees who quit their jobs say their work was unappreciated. And about two-thirds of Americans say they weren't recognized even one time in the previous year.
These numbers suggest a huge deficit in the need for their work and efforts to be appreciated.
There may be times when zipping a memo to employees about their good work is needed. But here are the best ways for employers to express gratitude, according to Fortune.
1. Make it personal. Notes to a group are nice, but a specific note to a person who contributed something especially helpful is best.
2. Make it timely. A pat on the back for work done during the last five years is nice. But what would be great is thanks for a difficult job completed now.
3. Make it sincere. Tell an employee how they contributed to the company's success or culture. Tell him or her why it meant something.
4. Make it relevant. One company, recognizing that employees have struggled to homeschool their children during the COVID-19 pandemic, created a complimentary tutoring program.
