Why is it so hard for bosses to say ‘thank you’ to staff?

Why is it so hard for bosses to say ‘thank you’ to their staff?

We all want to be recognised for a job well done, so much so that 62% of us would look for another job if we did not feel valued at work, according to a survey by recruiting experts Hays.

In the recruiter’s Staff Engagement: Ideas for action report, 87% of employers said making sure each individual feels valued is ‘very important’ or ‘important’ in engaging their workforce. The same percentage said recognition when staff do a good job is ‘very important’ or ‘important’. In both cases, over half said they need to improve in this area.

Meanwhile 97% of employees said a feeling of being valued is a ‘very important’ or ‘important’ engagement factor for them. 62% would look for another job if they did not feel valued, with a further 30% admitting they might look elsewhere.

A massive 87% would go above and beyond if they were made to feel valued by the organisation they work for, and a further 12% would ‘maybe’ do the same. 95% said that recognition for a job well done is ‘very important’ or ‘important’ to them.

“It costs nothing to recognise the work of your team,” says Jason Walker, Managing Director of Hays in New Zealand. “Letting your staff know that their hard work and successes are valued has a huge impact on staff engagement, loyalty and morale.”

As for how to make sure employees feel valued and recognised, Jason says that forms of recognition vary depending on what works best for each individual organisation and its employees, but the one thing all successful recognition programs have in common is that they are sincere.

“Some organisations choose to formally recognise top performance at regular weekly, monthly or annual meetings or events,” says Jason. “This formal approach serves to both recognise success while also inspiring other team members.

“Other organisations prefer an informal and spontaneous approach that provides recognition as and when success is achieved. This can range from sharing positive client feedback in a team email, newsletter or company blog, to shouting morning tea or letting an employee finish an hour early for a job well done.

“Ultimately though, the two simple words ‘thank you’ have a huge impact,” he said.

Hays’ report Staff Engagement: Ideas for action is supported by findings from a survey of 396 employers and 800 jobseekers, in addition to other external studies. Of the 1,196 employers and employees surveyed, 90% were based in Australia and the remaining 10% were in New Zealand.

For more, see the Hays Staff Engagement: Ideas for action report at www.hays.net.nz/staff-engagement.

Hays, the world’s leading recruiting experts in qualified, professional and skilled people.

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