By - Amit kumaR Agarwal
Recent research conducted by various entities including Forbes, found that a quiet shift is reshaping workplaces not only in India, but across the world!
- Workplace Recognition Is No Longer, 'The Ultimate Appreciation'
- Employees Are Demanding Applause, Appreciation and Recognition from outside the workplace
Victoria, a senior manager with Italy based property that engaged in #TKMU Corporate PEP Program, pointed out - we all know competition for talent stays intense, the message for employers is simple: notice good work, do something unique and long-term so that employees feel valued. Yes, today an employee just doesn't want a raise in pay-cheque, they want to be appreciated, applauded and recognized as a true value-asset
Employees, especially younger ones, are increasingly seeking regular appreciation and public recognition, and many say they will leave jobs where they don't get it.
HR leaders say the trend has grown sharper since the pandemic, when remote work reduced the casual encouragement that once came from hallway conversations and desk-side praise. With fewer everyday interactions, workers report feeling invisible even when they are performing well.
"A pay cheque tells an employee they are paid for the work. Applause, Appreciation and Recognition tells them the work mattered," said Kaavya Bhalla, an HR consultant based in Gurugram.
"Companies that treat appreciation as a soft perk are now seeing it show up in their attrition numbers. Millennials and Gen Z workers, who now make up a large share of the workforce, tend to expect more than pay-hikes or appreciation, they want to be celebrated," said Shabnam Zaidi, an HR with an MNC based in Mumbai.
Many grew up in a culture of instant response, from social media likes to real-time messaging, and they carry that expectation into the workplace. Managers say a well-timed "good job" in a team channel can matter as much to some employees as an incentive.
Surveys by workplace research firms over the past few years have repeatedly linked feeling unappreciated to the decision to quit.
Employees who report being recognised regularly are generally more engaged, more productive and less likely to job hop, experts note. Replacing a departing employee, by contrast, can cost a company a substantial share of that person's annual salary once hiring and training are counted.
In response, firms are rolling out peer-to-peer recognition platforms, they know activities like - employee of the month, shout-outs in town halls, spot bonuses and gift vouchers - are all passe! The firms know they need to add-on. The good news is many of them, have already started adding on!