by Lynette Silva

Recognize This! – Caring for colleagues as friends and fellow humans is a primary hallmark of any Top Place to Work.

For the third time, Globoforce has been named to the Boston Globe Top Places to Work, which recognizes the most admired workplaces in Massachusetts as voted on by the people who know them the best—the employees. The survey measures employee opinions about their company’s direction, execution, connection, management, work, pay and benefits, and engagement.

I can’t say I’m surprised by this as I experience why Globoforce is a great place to work every day. Sure, I do work that is not only interesting to me, but also personally meaningful in the impact and power of expressions of thanks and appreciation can have on others. And of course, leadership and colleagues are both exceptional in their own contributions to the work we do as well as in the interpersonal relationships that naturally develop among people who deeply respect and enjoy each other.

But it’s much more than that, too. Globoforce is a top place to work because we acknowledge people are not “resources” but humans. While we certainly bring our best selves to work every day, we all have lives and experiences outside of work. All humans do. Too few companies acknowledge the needs (and even emergencies) that can arise in the personal lives of their employees. Acknowledging the personal challenges of friends at work and allowing colleagues to help can strengthen bonds that increase loyalty, engagement and ultimately performance.

I know this to be true in my personal life. When I’ve had family medical issues to deal with, my colleagues and friends stepped in to shoulder the load so I could focus on my family’s needs. And that’s just one sign of a true WorkHuman workplace. What are some other signs? They’re much the same as what the Globe found to be common traits of top places to work: “Treating workers well, giving them a voice, and encouraging them to have some fun while they’re at it.”

We all want to be respected as individuals and people; we all want to know that our opinions matter and are listened to; and we want to enjoy what we do and who we do it with.

What’s your workplace like? Are you looking to create a more WorkHuman environment? Globoforce pioneered the WorkHuman movement, created to galvanize organizations and leaders worldwide to create a more human workplace. This movement culminates annually at the WorkHuman conference, taking place May 9-11, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. Join us by registering here.