From a recent edition of Incentive Magazine
comes these simple yet effective ways to acknowledge and value your team
members now and after the pandemic.
Meaningful recognition is more important than
ever with more employees now working remotely and with the other restrictions and
regulations in force. The job market is
sure to change and many good employees will fluctuate on where to spend their
future. You can keep them with some concerted
recognition planning.
1. Show more
care and concern
Many people are dealing with serious personal
and financial issues right now. Show
them that you care, drill down into physical and emotional well-being offering support
where possible. Sometimes just listening
can make a difference.
2. Connect with
them
Some people have a hard time being alone right
now, so reach out and connect with them as often as you can. Loneliness is a fear that real.
3. Create an online
employee community
Set up a social recognition program or an
online bulletin board for employees to express what they're grateful for. Each
person can share a "success of the week." For some people, coworkers
are the only "community" they belong to.
4. Share
positive news
Share positive stories on the company and
industry organization with your team to boost their spirits. Bad news can
travel fast; make sure the good news travels ahead of it. Some people are just not feeling very happy
right now.
5. Honor people
along their work journey
People are pulling out all the stops with creativity, new
ideas, and getting the work done. Take time to appreciate them for who they are
and recognize what they do. Some people's work has drastically changed or diminished.
6. Be mindful of
the stages of grief
Staff may go through denial, anger,
bargaining, depression and acceptance when their workplace implements changes
and job cuts. Some people will experience survivor's grief if still working.
Acknowledge their emotions.
7. Offer support
to worried staff
Many of your employees know someone with
COVID-19 or have family dealing with serious health issues. Make sure your
employee assistance program and/or counselors are available to
staff.
8. Add cheer to
your meetings
Are your Zoom meetings feeling rote right now?
Liven them up with upbeat music, a chant
or cheer at the beginning or end of the session.
9. Make time for
recognition
With many new and additional tasks on your
plate, it's easy to neglect employee recognition. Make it a priority to
schedule time each day to give thanks and praise to a member of your team, via
an online recognition program, personal call or a handwritten note.
10. Hold virtual
celebrations
The show must go on and you should continue to
mark achievements and milestones in these stressful times. With the pandemic
preventing live events, get creative: organize online virtual celebrations,
with special goodies and gifts delivered to people's homes, so everyone can
participate.
Great opportunities surround us every
day. Don’t lose them; use them to make
that proverbial glass of lemonade from the lemons we’ve all had to deal with.
