Moving forward, employee appreciation will need to require a new focus. Here’s what you need to know:
- A positive work experience is more important than ever to employees. This means opportunities for remote or hybrid work, shorter hours, and a better work-life balance.
- Little treats like donuts and cupcakes don’t resonate the way they used to. Employees want appreciation efforts that speak to their values. This means more engagement, more personal recognition, and more opportunities to participate in educational and upskilling efforts.
- Employees want more frequent recognition. A once-a-year gift or raise doesn’t mean much without regular praise and acknowledgement of their accomplishments and contributions.
- Employees want recognition of their personal milestones as well as their professional accomplishments. This shows that managers and other leadership appreciate them as individuals and recognize that they have a life outside of work.
