.Employee recognition is the cornerstone of a positive workplace culture, driving engagement, motivation and loyalty.
As organizations face new challenges and rapidly changing expectations, they’re recognizing the power of a people-first approach, which is essential for cultivating engagement, job satisfaction and long-term success.
But why does employee recognition matter?
Employee recognition is a fundamental human need.
It’s an expression of the appreciation for the hard work, dedication and talent employees bring to their roles.
Companies that prioritize both employee recognition and a positive employee experience enjoy greater productivity, lower turnover rates and a more resilient workforce.
Conversely, a lack of recognition can lead to disengagement and burnout, affecting not only individual performance but also team morale.
Recognizing employees whether through verbal praise, incentives or public acknowledgement has a profound impact on morale and motivation.
When employees feel valued and acknowledged, they’re far more likely to emotionally invest in their work, going above and beyond to achieve company goals and contribute to a positive work environment.
The role of communication in employee recognition
Recognition comes in many forms, from highlighting achievements, celebrating milestones, or offering a simple ‘thank you’.
Recognition programs are designed to make employees feel valued and appreciated.
But if employees aren’t aware of the program or don’t understand its purpose and criteria, even the most well-designed program can fall flat.
And according to our WTW global data base of employee opinion, less than one quarter of UK employees agree their employer makes adequate use of recognition and rewards other than money to encourage good performance, which shows there’s room for improvement.
Effective communication is essential for ensuring employees understand, value and engage with recognition initiatives.
And when communication is clear, consistent and meaningful, it can elevate recognition from a simple gesture to a powerful driver of organizational success:
- Increased employee engagement. Employees who see consistent recognition and understand the criteria behind it feel more engaged with their work. They know their efforts are visible, valued and appreciated. Our data found when organizations do a better job of recognizing their employees, their employees tend to be more engaged.
- Higher motivation and performance. Clear communication around recognition drives motivation by creating clear goals and showing employees that excellence is noticed. This motivation translates into higher productivity and a stronger commitment to quality.
- Stronger workplace culture. Effective communication fosters a culture of appreciation and collaboration and employees feel more aligned with the company’s mission vision and values. Our data found when leaders communicate openly there is also better clarity regarding the company’s direction, better cross departmental collaboration and more frequent recognition.
- Improved retention and loyalty. Employees are more likely to stay with companies that recognize and celebrate their contributions. A well-communicated recognition program signals to employees that their organization values them, which improves loyalty and retention. Our data found when managers do a better job of recognizing their employees, employees report they are more likely to remain with their employer. (24% per cent more likely to say they have no plans to leave).
Getting started
Promote, promote, promote – Ongoing promotion keeps programs at top of mind and increases participation. Employees should be reminded about recognition programs across all communication channels, such as email, intranet, team meetings and advertised in physical spaces.
Build relevance – Not all employees resonate with the same communication style. A mix of formats from written announcements to video messages or presentations are more likely to reach higher numbers. Personalized messaging will also help employees feel more directly involved.
Two-way communication – Gathering input through surveys or focus groups shows that management values employee perspectives and allows the program to evolve in response to real employee needs. More than half (52%) of multinational HQs consider the use of data-driven insights a high or top priority for enhancing the employee benefits experience, according to our Global Priorities for Employee Benefits Survey.
Make it human – Recognizing individual achievements or sharing stories makes programs feel genuine. Real-life examples illustrate the program’s values in action, helping other employees to see how they too can be recognized. On average, our data found 73% of employees feel valued as an individual at their company.
Foster managers as champions – Managers are critical often serving as the primary employee touchpoint. Supporting managers to communicate program details, celebrate achievements and provide feedback effectively can amplify the program’s impact. Our data found 75% of employees, on average, believe company management is interested in their well-being.
Celebrate success – Public recognition not only validates the individual’s hard work, but it also inspires others by highlighting the positive behaviors and company values.
Fundamentally, communication is the driving force that turns recognition into a powerful tool for engagement, motivation and retention.
What matters is that it’s genuine, specific and consistent.
By investing in transparent, authentic and engaging communication, organizations can maximize the value of their recognition programs and create a workplace where everyone feels seen, heard and valued.
When organizations invest in creating a positive employee experience and make recognition a priority, they cultivate a thriving workforce ready to meet the challenges ahead with resilience and creativity.