How To Increase Employee Retention By Recognizing Skills And Achievements

Encouraging a culture of recognition no matter where and how your employees do their work

Beyond changing the way people work, the Covid-19 pandemic has also affected how employees feel about their employers. It can be difficult for people to experience a sense of connection to their teammates and appreciation by their employers when they feel like they’re on an island. However, your people are the difference between surviving and thriving in the current landscape, which means recognizing their achievements is more important than ever right now. Unfortunately, the truth is, 65% of employees haven’t received any form of recognition for their hard work in the last year. 

To complicate matters even more, some accomplishments may happen under the radar and go unnoticed if organizations don’t have a culture of learning and recognition fully baked into their everyday employee experience.  So, how can you ensure you’re encouraging a culture of recognition no matter where and how your employees do their work? 

Here are five ways to recognize your employees’ accomplishments in these critical times.

The need for validation and recognition never goes away, and this is especially true in the workplace. Recognizing a job well done, no matter how big or small the achievement, can encourage your employees to continue to perform optimally and feel appreciated on a daily basis. Employees are more motivated to go above and beyond when they are recognized for their accomplishments and progress. That motivation can spread across entire teams, leading to higher job satisfaction, lower turnover, and increased profitability.

Celebrating work anniversaries gives an employer an opportunity to demonstrate a healthy company culture that values the on-going contributions of its employees. This is a simple but effective way to say, “Thanks for being here and helping us accomplish our goals. We couldn’t have done it without you.”  Some organizations make a big deal out of major milestones, such as five or ten years with the company. But when the average median tenure of workers between the ages of 25-34 is less than 3 years, it’s a better idea to celebrate every year. 

Recognizing an employee’s loyalty and growth on these anniversaries encourages them to stick around and hit another milestone with your company. Even better? Make the recognition more public than just an email between manager and employee. Get the whole company involved in providing that recognition through a dedicated communication channel,  a post on the company-wide Intranet, or a digital badge.  

It’s likely you’re familiar with the skills your employees bring to the table that directly relate to their roles at your organization. But how much do you know about the transferable skills they might have as a result of past work experience or side hustle? One side effect of today’s remote working environment can be communication that’s more transactional than it is about building connections. You might be missing out on the chance to learn about your employees’ lives off the clock. And that knowledge gap is not only any fun, it could also cause you to miss key information that might impact your business. Make a point of learning more about your employees’ personal passions and you just might find out that you’ve already got the talent you need in one position which can also impact another area of the business. 

The second biggest reason individuals leave a role is due to a lack of opportunity and encouragement for growth. Not every employee is looking for a fast track to the C-Suite. Many individuals simply want access to and guidance toward learning opportunities that align with their own unique professional goals. Companies that provide learning opportunities to empower employees are more likely to keep their talent because they offer a continued sense of achievement. If employees are happy and growing in their current position, it’s less likely that they will search for employment elsewhere. Retaining your organization's valuable employees is crucial to the health of your company, especially right now. 

Hiring managers and human resources teams shouldn’t put off plans to begin implementing strategies to increase employee retention and enhance their loyalty. This pandemic has affected all of us in less than ideal ways, but one positive outcome could be that we rise to the challenge of remote work and develop new skills. A skills-based recognition plan that incorporates verifiable digital badges is a dynamic, cost-effective solution utilized by top global employers.     

If someone on your team earns a digital badge or hits a milestone, first, encourage them to post about it on their professional online networks, then interact with their post by giving it a thumbs up and adding a personalized comment. This demonstrates that your company values continuing education and supporting one another in your development. Recognizing your team’s accomplishments publicly indicates to people outside of your organization that you encourage and value a culture of achievement recognition. It can be good for both recruitment and your company’s overall image. 

Acknowledging your employees’ successes and skills builds a sense of togetherness in a time when many of us have to operate apart. Building a culture of recognition is an effective way to offer the kinds of opportunities that will benefit your organization now and in the future.