HR Pulse - Summer 2008 - (Page 60)

[WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THAT?—BEST PRACTICES FOR THE PRACTITIONER] Workforce Recognition: Simple Gestures Go a Long Way By Abbie Stutzer Daily Praise A simple way to begin an employee-recognition program is by doing the most mundane, seemingly unimportant things like saying hello to employees every day and asking them how they are. Silly? Not at all. This simple gesture will remind employees that you know who they are and care enough to say hello. In the June 24, 2002, article, “Employee Recognition: Why It Matters: Rewarding Employees for a Job Well-Done Will do Wonders for Their Performance—and Your Bottom Line,” Alex Hiam, trainer, consultant and author, suggested other ways to keep employees content on a daily basis and during tough projects. Hiam advised not giving employees grief when they do something wrong, praising employees for doing a good job, and recognizing employees’ efforts, not just the results. These suggestions are not only simple to accomplish, they help the wellbeing of employees considerably. “When we remember to take care of these very human needs for recognition and appreciation and the occasional round of applause, we do a great deal to create the vital, energized workplace we need in order to succeed in today’s challenging world of business,” said Hiam. Celebrations After company-wide projects or stressful seasons, everyone, not just the underappreciated, can feel drained. Company-wide recognition is an effective way to refresh morale. According to Hiam, easy ways to accomplish this include celebrating company anniversaries and accomplishments and saving some of the company’s budget for recognition gifts and celebrations. “When employees have had a tough week, throw a mini party for them. Bring in some pizza, a cheesecake, or whatever inspires you, and share it with your crew,” said Hiam. Simple gestures, like an occasional free lunch or a thank-you card to employees, can go a long way. This sentiment was reiterated by Aubrey C. Daniels, Ph.D., founder and CEO of management consulting ﬁrm Aubrey Daniels & Associates (ADA), in the June 4, 2001, article, “Rewarding Your 60 HR Pulse Summer 2008 ho doesn’t love the sound of their alarm clock on Monday morning? Its beautiful, soothing tones call us to work, and most of us go…unwillingly. Early morning wake upcalls are not fun, but they are even worse if you hate your job. Well, you don’t have to hate your job to not want to go; you can merely feel unappreciated, over-worked or myriad other things. When employees are grudgingly going to work Monday through Friday, their work steadily becomes less than perfect and their attitude not very chipper. Help remedy this occurrence with an employee recognition program that shows your employees how much you care about them and their well-being. Recognition programs can include gifts, rewards, celebrations, or simple notes that let your employees know they are an important part of your business. Recognition programs also can celebrate individual or company-wide accomplishments and celebrations. W >>

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of HR Pulse - Summer 2008

HR Pulse - Summer 2008 Contents Pulse Points Executive Director's Letter President's Message HR Leader Profile: Carol Bank, SPHR Special Report: Building a Thriving Workforce Creating A Best Place to Work Employee Morale Don't Set Up Your Managers to Fail From Tedious Task to Strategic Process Employer-Assisted Housing Changing the Paradigm of Nurse Recruitment Workforce Recognition: Simple Gestures Go a Long way Advertisers' Index

HR Pulse - Summer 2008

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