New research sheds light on the important role of recognition in employee morale
Of the almost 40% of employees who’re experiencing more burnout than they were a year ago, 29% attribute that to a lack of communication from their manager. That’s according to recent research from Robert Half in light of today’s International Boss’s Day – October 16th.
Speaking to HRD, Tara Parry, Director of Permanent Placement Services, says that with burnout on the rise, managers should be aware of spotting the signs, and taking clear actions, to combat this on their teams.
“Supporting, and modelling, work-life balance by encouraging staff to take their vacation days and time off, respecting their time off, managing your own time effectively, and providing schedule flexibility so that your team members have some autonomy over where and when they work is key,” says Parry.
“It demonstrates trust, which can help boost morale, and enables them to meet their personal and professional commitments in ways that best suit them, promoting balance. Managers should also be setting realistic expectations and working with employees to prioritize projects strategically. Conducting regular check-ins can help you identify challenges and spot signs of burnout in their early stages, and helping them focus on the most pressing business tasks can alleviate the feelings of overwhelm.”
In addition, according to Parry, businesses shouldn’t pull back on hiring. As per the data, 40% of professionals say that their departments are understaffed and this drives burnout.
“It’s also important to note that combatting burnout is a team effort, and workers need to know their limits and advocate for themselves to ensure they get the support they need. Your manager may not know how you are feeling or managing your workload if you don’t communicate with them, especially while many people are still working from home, at least part of the time.”
Increasing worker recognition
Robert Half’s research found that the main action that made a worker feel appreciated was having their accomplishments recognized – with 36% of employees attesting to the fact. And while the merits of recognition has long been touted by HR, in remote and hybrid models the issues becomes more complex.
Stopping by your employee’s desk or grabbing a moment at the coffee machine isn’t possible – leaders need to make a concerted effort to carve out that time.
“Recognizing employees through in a variety of ways is an important piece of feeling valued and rewarded at work, which helps promote general workplace wellbeing and job satisfaction,” adds Parry.
“With that in mind, managers should remember to reinforce the importance of their employees’ work. Make it clear how employees’ efforts are supported by leadership and critical to the company’s success.
“Whether it’s verbal praise, highlighting their contributions and successes in a meeting, or offering rewards in line with company policy such as a small gift card or other perk, acknowledging your teams’ achievements can go a long way towards having a great relationship with them, and boosting morale.”
The theme of rewards and recognition is running through HRD’s upcoming HR Leaders Summit – make sure you book your ticket here.