Do managers deliver enough sincere praise?
According to the data, not so much.
59% of employees say their boss doesn’t recognize them enough.
And 45% haven’t received any praise in 6 months.
In this article, we’ll dig into why recognition matters so much, how frequently it happens today, and what employees wish was different.
Here are some surprising stats!
Top Employee Recognition Statistics: Editor’s Pick
- 59% of employees report their manager simply does not recognize or appreciate them enough. [1]
- Teams that receive ample recognition see 37% higher sales and 31% productivity. [2]
- 45% of employees haven’t received any recognition or praise in the past 6 months. [3]
- Only 89% of companies have any formal recognition programs in place. [4]
- Employees lacking recognition are 131% more likely to lose faith in management and company values. [5]
Why Does Recognition Have Such Impact?
It’s not just empty praise – recognition delivers real benefits by transforming engagement and performance:
- 81% of employees say feeling appreciated matters more than salary for job satisfaction. [1]
- 93% of employees who are shouted out frequently feel they contribute unique value.
- Teams that receive ample recognition see 37% higher sales and 31% productivity. [2]
- Companies with recognition programs have 31% lower voluntary turnover rates. [3]
- 69% of employees report they would work harder if their efforts were better recognized.
Is Enough Recognition Happening?
If recognition is so powerful, surely companies have gotten the memo and are praising employees left and right?
Think again:
- Only 89% of companies have any formal recognition programs in place. [4]
- A whopping 59% of employees report their manager simply does not recognize or appreciate them enough. [1]
- 45% of employees haven’t received any recognition or praise in the past 6 months. [3]
- 37% of employees can’t remember their last positive performance review discussion.
How Do Employees Want To Be Recognized?
Employees don’t want occasional, generic cheerleading.
They crave personalized and sincere hyping on the regular:
Moreover:
- 65% of employees prefer non-cash rewards over monetary incentives.
- 41% want peer recognition, 37% want manager recognition.
- 51% who get regular recognition recommend their company.
- Employees are 18X more likely to produce great work when recognized. [6]
What’s the Cost of Failing to Recognize?
It’s not just a feel-good exercise – skimping on sincere praise for achievements damages real business outcomes like performance and retention:
- Employees who don’t feel adequately recognized by their manager have worse productivity by 48%. [3]
- The cost of replacing an employee due to voluntary turnover is 5.8%–213% of their annual salary on average.
- Employees lacking recognition are 131% more likely to lose faith in management and company values. [5]
How Can Companies Improve Recognition?
Okay, so how can organizations enhance their employee praise game?
Here are some research-backed best practices to create a culture where recognition flourishes:
- Recognize continuously – at least monthly. The most effective programs see managers recognizing employees 3x per month.
- Make recognitions public to spread impact. Highlight people and their work in company meetings, newsletters, intranet sites. Public praise compounds the recognition.
- Empower peer-to-peer recognition. Programs where employees can “like” or recognize teammates’ work breeds an open culture of appreciation by 36%. [3]
- Use variety – monetary rewards, events, shoutouts, awards. Having options tailored to individuals keeps it meaningful.
- Make it authentic. Recognitions must be sincere, not generic drivel. Specificity and truthfulness are key.
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FAQs
Should recognition be given privately or publicly?
Both private and public recognition have their merits. Private recognition allows for more intimate feedback between manager and employee. Public recognition can boost morale and motivate the wider team. Strike a balance between the two methods.
How can I recognize remote employees’ achievements?
For remote staff:
- Use digital channels like email
- Chat and video calls to praise their work
- Send e-gift cards for extra impact
- Share wins publicly on the company intranet
- Mail personalized notes or care packages
- And fly remote folks in for on-site events
What makes employee recognition meaningful?
Recognition is most meaningful when it’s sincere, specific, timely, and aligned with what makes that employee feel valued. Get to know what motivates each person. Personalize the recognition and tie it back to goals.
Should managers encourage peer-to-peer recognition?
Yes, peer recognition can be very powerful. It fosters inter-team connections and a collaborative culture. Managers should train employees how to effectively recognize peers and provide the right digital tools to enable shoutouts.
How can I track the effectiveness of employee recognition programs?
To measure recognition program effectiveness, you can:
- Issue surveys and review participation rates in recognition programs.
- Monitor productivity and retention rates.
- Solicit feedback from employees to understand engagement levels and opportunities for improvement.
Wrap Up
Employees crave feeling genuinely valued through regular, sincere recognition.
While there is widespread consensus on the power and importance of appreciation, work still needs to be done to make praise more abundant and impactful.
The numbers prove recognition transforms workplace culture, productivity, and employee wellbeing.
By taking steps to celebrate achievements and highlight contributions consistently, companies will reap huge rewards in boosted morale, effort, and retention.
Sources
- Linkedin. Gratitude and Recognition in the Workplace–The Benefits and Top Practices
- Fond. The Insider’s Guide to Employee Recognition
- Webinarcare. Employee Recognition Statistics 2024 – Everything You Need to Know
- Talent Intelligence. Creating the Ideal Employee Recognition Program
- Mo.work. 20 Employee Recognition Statistics Worth Knowing in 2023
- SelectSoftware Reviews. The 48 Employee Recognition Statistics to Take Note of in 2024.
- HiThrive. How to measure the value of employee recognition
Rachelle is a digital marketer with experience in project management and marketing. She crafts content supported by data, advocating innovative solutions for job-seekers and professionals involved in hiring.