Posts
In August 2009 Gallup conducted their annual survey of Worker Satisfaction with 13 Aspects of their Current Job. It seems some media channels picked up on the apparent negativity of only 50% of surveyed employees being “completely satisfied” with the recognition they received at work for their work accomplishments.
Truth be told, having only half of the folks at work feeling valued and appreciated for what they are doing is not exactly thrilling.
However, what is often missed in telling the story of facts and numbers is the comparison. Seems if you examined the 2008 survey results the level of complete satisfaction for being recognized on the job was lower than 2009 – in fact it was only 45%.
So even amidst a crazy financial meltdown, layoffs and cutbacks, somehow a small percentage of employees felt more appreciated during a very tough year.
To those managers and supervisors who had the courage and gumption to make a difference to these Gallup surveyed employees – THANK YOU! Please continue the trend and regularly express appreciation to those you work with. Let’s ensure this coming August, when these same people are asked again, there will be even more people who feel valued and respected for what they do each and every day.
I know you can do it.
Only 50%! I also think in tough economic times, people are just happy to have a job, so I'm sure that factors in. I wonder though if this is really a sign of how employees just aren't engaged by the run-of-the mill programs?
ReplyDeleteNot just run-of-the-mill programs, Ben.
ReplyDelete1. Most companies have not even considered fully the purpose for recognition - there's no strategy. According to World@Work only only 48% of companies even have a written recognition strategy.
2. Leaders need to "recognize" the power of recognition as an accelerator of performance and business results. Wirthlin Worldwide found that 89% of CEOs and VP HR said senior leader involvement was the leading factor for making recognition programs successful.
3. Recognition practices as well as programs need to be driven by organizational culture and aligned with business strategy.
A lot of things NOT happening that create only 1/2 of the workforce getting recognized.
Thanks for commenting.
Roy
Very interesting statistics, but not very surprising once you think about them, I would say. Everyone, managers included just had their heads down trying to get the job done in the last year. For those who inherently thank and appreciate their team and peers, that continued. For those who did so, but only with conscious thought and effort, they likely stopped. As the resume tsunami comes upon us in the upturn, I hope management and leadership in general revisit the importance of recognition in employee loyalty, commitment and focus.
ReplyDelete