Employee Appreciation: The 4 main types of recognition

On the eve of the holidays, the days get longer and the teams are exhausted. Returning from vacation is therefore a prime window to express your gratitude to employees. Employer recognition has many virtues, but in particular it will allow you to retain your resources, a sine qua none condition for the prosperity of the organization. To better direct your appreciation efforts, discover the four main pillars of employee recognition!

1. Existential recognition

It focuses on the individual as a person. It is a recognition of the fact that the employee is above all a human being, with his own life context, his own challenges and his own difficulties.

To apply this type of recognition, you can greet the employee by name and remember your last conversation with them. Be sure to check in on the employee, their morale and stress level. Finally, be flexible with their requests regarding the agenda.

2. Recognition of work practice

This is the assessment of how the employee executes his projects. We appreciate his skills, his working methods and his professional ethics.

To recognize the employee’s work practice, congratulate them for the initiatives taken and for the quality of their work. You can also recognize their unique skills and highlight them during meetings.

3. Recognition of investment

This type of recognition concerns the efforts made by the worker. We appreciate his contribution and dedication to the projects. It’s about recognizing that the business runs on the effort and energy of resources.

To recognize the investment, you can celebrate the employee’s efforts on social media, or write them a note of appreciation by email or handwritten letter. Finally, be sure to publicly thank the employee for their continued efforts.

4. Recognition of results

This involves recognizing the productivity of team members and congratulating them for their results. Here we appreciate the efficiency and achievements of the resources. We express our gratitude to them by emphasizing the added value of their presence for the organization.

To celebrate results, congratulate the team after an achievement. You can also organize events to mark hiring anniversaries or even provide bonuses based on the results obtained.

These four types of recognition benefit from being discerned, because they resonate differently depending on the resources. Some will prefer results-related compliments while others desperately await human recognition.

Understanding your employees’ needs for appreciation means recognizing their human dignity. Your efforts will be noticed and will foster a feeling of belonging to the company, which will ultimately result in increased performance and competitiveness of the teams.

SOURCES:

Brun, JP, Lamontagne, S., Blais, C., Pageot, N., Mérineau, D. & Lépine, P. (2005). Box: Recognition at work. Chair in occupational health and safety management.

Brown, JP; Dugas N., (April 2008): An analysis of employee recognition: Perspectives on human resources practices. The International Journal of Human Resource Management.