Top Ten Tips for... Showing Appreciation & Recognition in the Workplace

When you’re busy and focused on achieving organisational goals, it’s easy to start taking good work for granted. A common complaint from people who are dissatisfied in their jobs is that the only time they get feedback on their role or department is if something isn’t working properly. It’s just as important to show appreciation for good work as it is to offer constructive criticism. Here are some ways you can recognise the efforts of your staff and colleagues – and why they’re important.

1. Publicly acknowledge a job well done

Giving positive feedback in one-to-one meetings is great – but giving it in front of others is even better. Name check staff or teams that have gone above and beyond in meetings, staff newsletters and group emails. Not only does this boost morale and help people feel valued, it also motivates others.

2. Treat them to lunch (or cake!)

Taking staff out to lunch after the successful completion of a project is a great way to celebrate and show appreciation at the same time. As well as being a treat, spending time together outside of work in a fun, informal setting helps with team bonding. If it’s difficult to get everyone out of the office for lunch, buy some cake to enjoy together at work.

3. Make it personal

Showing thanks doesn’t have to take a lot of time or money – something as simple as a handwritten thank you card can make someone feel valued and brighten up their day. And when you show genuine appreciation, people will feel motivated to keep up the great work.

4. Shout them out on social media

If you use social media to connect with your client or supporter base, why not post about the great work your staff are doing? It adds a personal touch to your content while showing recognition for their achievements. Plus, it demonstrates that your organisation is a great place to work, making you attractive to potential candidates. Just make sure the staff in question are happy to be named or pictured.

5. Foster a culture of mutual appreciation

Encouraging employees to thank each other is a great way to help staff feel seen and appreciated. We don’t always see the great work that goes on day to day in our organisations, so we might be overlooking people’s achievements. Remind staff to recognise one another’s successes. A great way of doing this is by asking them to submit thank you messages to be featured in a team meeting or staff away day.

6. Give a token of gratitude

Small gifts or tokens are a great way to reward good work. And if giving them becomes routine, they’re also a brilliant motivator. Vouchers, flowers and indoor plants, sweets or chocolates (check for allergies first) all make good tokens of appreciation. And if the item is something the recipient can keep, it’s a permanent reminder that their contribution is valued.

7. Reward with opportunities to develop

If someone has been consistently producing great work, keep them in mind for professional development opportunities. Specialist training, places at conferences and secondment opportunities are all ways to reward staff by boosting their skills and professional network. Showing you care about the career progression of your staff helps with retention and stops you losing valuable talent.

8. Extra time off

If you’re able to, awarding staff with an extra day or half day of paid time off is a great way to give back for their hard work. Not only does this show appreciation and motivate people to do their best, it also helps reduce stress and improve staff wellbeing. Who doesn’t love a duvet day?

9. Put staff at the centre

The way we talk about our organisation, both internally and externally, shows a lot about how we view our workforce. Make sure your communications about successes have staff as the focus. For example, when communicating good news internally, talking about “your achievements” rather than “our achievements” can make a big difference.

10. Always make time for positive feedback and praise

However you choose to deliver it, carving out time to tell staff they did a great job is vital to showing them that their contribution has been noticed, and that they are valued within the organisation. Be specific – tell them exactly what they did well and the positive impact it had. Never underestimate the power of well-deserved praise.

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