Robert Half International : Employee Recognition Key to Managing an ‘Anywhere Workforce’

Regardless of their title or location, employees want to see their efforts appreciated, especially given their ongoing contributions to companies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With hybrid and remote teams now the new normal, leaders must find creative ways to show staff appreciation, thank them for their dedication and flexibility - and boost camaraderie - while navigating a changing workplace.

Not sure how to best show staff appreciation? Here are 10 tips for employee recognition:

1. Celebrate important milestones. Hold a virtual celebration to recognize achievements. Arrange for festive treats to be delivered for team members to enjoy during the event.
2. Put it in writing. Acknowledge employees' great work in an email or personalized certificate. Copy key executives and team members for additional exposure.
   
3. Host video check-in meetings. Schedule regular videoconferences to encourage face-to-face communication and foster connections.
4. Highlight successes formally. Cite specific accomplishments during performance reviews to show how much you value employees' work. This also reinforces the type of work you want to see.
5. Encourage professional development. Offer tuition assistance for professional courses or certifications. Similarly, reimburse staff for industry association memberships, conferences and publications.
6. Give them a call. Reach out to your employees one-on-one and ask how they are doing while working off-site or as part of a hybrid team.
7. Reward them. Recommend staff for external and internal accolades, such as employee of the month, and encourage peer nominations. Feature outstanding team members in the company newsletter.
8. Give the gift of time.* Encourage team members to log off early on a Friday afternoon if they have been working long hours. Offer additional time off or extra vacation days for a job well done.
9. Develop new leaders. Recognize employees' skills by asking them to mentor others. Promote from within when possible, and make sure staff members know about career growth opportunities in the company.
10. Introduce them to management. Invite company executives to join a team meeting or conference call. Arrange for team members to present the results of a project to them.

_{*Consult with your HR and legal departments.}

Robert Half can help you build a productive team. Search our candidates to find your next hire.