How Employee Recognition Cultivates an Inspiring Workplace

Employee recognition is among the most important tools to create a motivating and inspiring work environment. It can help to create a sense of appreciation, loyalty, and respect among employees, and it can also help to drive productivity and build team morale. Per recent stats, employees are six times more likely to stay at their job when their efforts are recognized. Further, 92% of employees are likely to repeat a specific action if given recognition for it. 

But does your organization have an employee recognition program? According to Gallup research, only 36% of employees report that their organizations have a recognition system. This is a missed opportunity! If you want to cultivate an inspiring workplace, employee recognition is essential.

But guess what? It doesn't have to be complex or expensive. Simple and consistent rewards can go a long way in creating positive and encouraging environments that boost morale and productivity. Before delving into practical ways to create an inspiring workplace, let's first understand why it's important.

Why Recognition Is Important in Creating an Inspiring Workplace

Employee appreciation is one of the most effective strategies to lay the foundation for a positive work environment. It shows employees their hard work is valued and appreciated, encouraging them to do more and achieve greater results. Moreover, studies have found that recognition can reduce absenteeism and improve employee engagement.

That said, below are quick reasons why employee recognition helps to create an inspiring workplace:

• Improves Performance – Employees who consistently receive recognition are more motivated and productive. This increases overall performance, which, in turn, can lead to better customer service, higher sales, and increased profits.
• Fosters Positive Relationships – Employee recognition can help foster positive relationships among team members and between employees and their managers, which is essential in creating a collaborative environment.
• Boosts Loyalty – Employees recognized for their efforts will feel more appreciated and less likely to leave the company when an opportunity arises. This translates into better retention rates and increased loyalty.
• Enhances Morale – Through recognition, employees feel that their efforts matter and are an integral part of the company. This, in turn, boosts morale and encourages a more positive work environment.
• Enhances Retention – Employees who feel appreciated and valued for their work are less likely to leave the organization in search of greener pastures. Recognition is one of the most effective ways to increase employee retention.

Now that you know why recognition is important, let's look at practical ways to celebrate employee achievements and efforts through awards and recognitions.

10 Practical Ways to Create an Inspiring Workplace With Employee Appreciation

1. Say "Thank You"

Showing your appreciation for employees consistently can help create a positive work environment. Saying "Thank you" for even the smallest of deeds can go a long way in building a strong rapport between employees and their managers.

2. Recognize Achievements

Recognizing and celebrating achievements, whether big or small, helps to create an inspiring workplace. You can do this through awards, certificates, and other acknowledgment forms, such as congratulatory emails, public recognition, or even a team lunch.

3. Give Praise

Praising an employee for doing something well can help to boost their confidence and morale. It also shows that you pay attention to their efforts and acknowledge their hard work.

4. Offer Flexible Working Hours

Today's employees are more motivated by intrinsic rewards than ever before. They want to feel genuinely happy and comfortable in the workplace, and intrinsic motivation does an excellent job of providing that. For instance, flexible working hours enable employees to balance their work and personal life better, leading to increased motivation and productivity.

5. Invite Employees to Lead Projects

Allowing employees to lead projects or tasks enables them to take ownership of their roles and gain a sense of accomplishment from their efforts. This can help to create a more engaging environment where employees feel appreciated for their work.

6. Celebrate Milestones

Recognizing and celebrating milestones, such as promotions, anniversaries, or completing a big project, can help boost morale and create an inspiring workplace. For example, when you offer a hard-working employee a custom engraving crystal award on their anniversary, they'll cherish that recognition and feel inspired to work even harder.

7. Offer Flexible Benefits

Offering flexible benefits can help show appreciation for employees and make them feel valued. For example, offering free meals or snacks can make an employee's day more enjoyable, while access to health insurance or fitness centers can help with their physical and mental well-being.

8. Provide Quality Training and Development Opportunities

Another excellent employee appreciation idea is providing quality yet continuous training and development opportunities. When employees are given the chance to learn and grow, they feel that their opinions and skills are valued. This is also a valuable tool for reducing employee turnover and helping your workforce keep current with industry trends.

9. Show Genuine Interest in Employee Well-Being

Showing genuine interest in your employees' well-being can help to create a positive work environment. For example, you could offer regular check-ins and ask about their progress and challenges. You can also invest in mental health initiatives or activities that promote healthy living.

10. Personalize Your Gifts and Awards

If you're looking to connect with your employees on a deeper level, personalized gifts and awards can help. These could be anything from custom-engraved crystal awards to monogrammed items or handwritten notes. Our favorite personalized awards to recommend are custom plaques with an employee's name and a description of their achievement.

DIY Awards Offers the Best Employee Recognition Products!

Providing consistent recognition for employees can help to cultivate an inspiring workplace. But you should also remember to tailor your approach to each individual — after all, everyone appreciates acknowledgment and appreciation in their own unique way. With the right combination of rewards and recognition, you can create a workplace that motivates your employees and helps build an engaged team.

Are you in the market for best-in-class personalized plaques and awards for employee appreciation? If so, look no further than DIY Awards! We're passionate about helping organizations honor their employees and recognize excellence with fully customized crystal awards. Our team of experienced designers will help create the perfect award to represent your company's values and reward your most outstanding employees.

So what are you waiting for? Order online or contact us today to find out more!