'Organisations should prioritise personalisation and avoid generalised recognition'
Three in four employees in Australia and the United States are still wishing that they felt more appreciated in the workplace, underscoring the need to make changes to recognition programmes amid evolving expectations in the workforce.
Canva's latest survey among 1,500 employees revealed that 75% still want to be more appreciated at work, with the numbers rising to 83% for Gen Z employees.
Charlotte Anderson, Head of People Experience at Canva, said the findings indicate that the traditional "one-size-fits-all" approach to staff recognition is "no longer cutting it."
"Our data indicates that recognition has evolved beyond traditional perks, awards, or performance reviews and now includes flexibility, inclusion, and work-life balance," Anderson told HRD.
"Unfortunately, not all employers are prioritising those opportunities and level of support, and there's still a lot of catching up workplaces need to do to ensure team members feel satisfied and fulfilled in their roles."
Even the practice of giving frequent praise to employees is overlooked by employers, according to Anderson.
"That's a big miss," she said.
To turn the situation around, Anderson said organisations should recognise that there is no standard approach to employee recognition.
"Organisations should prioritise personalisation and avoid generalised recognition. This starts with listening to your employees to identify their needs," she said.
Anderson also outlined some practical steps that employers can take, including:
"Recognition doesn't have to cost anything — be genuine. A heartfelt note or hype reel can go a long way," she stressed.
To further recognise Gen Z employees, who are set to make up 27% of the workforce by next year, Anderson suggested providing "frequent, specific feedback tied to personal and organisational goals."
She also urged further investment in leadership coaching to foster empathetic and effective management, as well as encouraging peer recognition to create a culture of appreciation at every level.
Employers who are successful in fostering an effective recognition programme will see increased job satisfaction, improved engagement, and the creation of high-performing teams, according to Anderson.
In fact, Canva's survey found that those who feel appreciated in the workplace said this positively impacts their motivation (87%), boosts their confidence (85%), and enhances productivity (84%).
"Ultimately, team members want to be celebrated as individuals who bring something valuable to the table, as this leads to greater engagement, retention, and performance," she said.
But the nature of today's workplaces can also be a challenge to an organisation's recognition programme.
"In today's competitive talent landscape, where distributed workforces are the norm, fostering a strong employer brand is essential for driving retention and engagement," Anderson said.
"A culture that values and recognises team members is fundamental to achieving that success."
