Lack of employee appreciation is a significant cause of high staff turnover rates, low organizational productivity, and morale. A 2017 study by Office Team revealed that 66% of workers would quit their jobs if they felt unappreciated by their bosses. That justifies the famous quote, "people don't quit jobs, they quit bosses."

As an employer, you wouldn't want to create a bad work environment and lose good workers over unappreciated efforts. While acknowledging employee inputs may sometimes require you to dig into your pockets, it is cheaper than dealing with unproductive and unmotivated staff, finding new people, and training them. To ensure your employees feel appreciated, implement the following ideas.

1. Communicate

It can be frustrating for workers to deal with poor communication. For example, a worker who just covered an extra shift would feel unappreciated if you failed to say a word to them. As the boss, you should make people feel special for doing their duties, and even more when they do extra. You can communicate in two ways:

• Recognize publicly. Thank your employee openly during meetings and tell them how their effort is appreciated. This will boost their confidence and show them that the whole team supports them.

• Recognize privately. If some staff members don't like attention, thank them privately. It will make a worker feel valued and special.

While positive feedback is a great way to acknowledge hard work, positive criticism would also work. It makes workers feel that their employer wants the best for them. Following up on your staff members and communicating the negative and positive assessments will make everyone feel valued.

2. Prioritize Employees' Mental Health

Workers' mental health is increasingly becoming a top priority for organizations worldwide. The World Health Organization estimates that 15% of working adults struggle with mental health disorders. To boost your employee morale, always show compassion and offer professional support whenever necessary.

Most workers wouldn't leave a work environment that is kind and understanding. To support your staff members mentally, do the following:

• Provide mental health insurance

• Protect against discrimination and sexual harassment

• Conduct mental health training programs

3. Practice Internal Recruitment

It is important to give internal job applicants a chance. Hard-working, qualified staff members may feel betrayed and unappreciated when you hire externally. Giving internal applicants a chance makes them realize you value and appreciate them, thus trusting them with better job positions. Internal recruitment may work as a reward for exceptional employees who you want to appreciate.

4. Train 

Training your workers reaffirms your commitment to their career growth and that you want their performance to improve. Training enables employees to improve their skills, making them more valuable to the organization and increasing their chances of promotion and higher wages. Although you can do some training programs on a peer-to-peer basis, some programs may require hiring professionals. You can visit Nuwber to get contact details of professional trainers you want to work with your employees.

Training programs are also an opportunity to show your staff you want to retain them because you see their potential.

5. Provide Fringe Benefits

Fringe benefits are the extra benefits or perks you give to a staff member in addition to their salary. Fringe benefits may include insurance covers, reasonable allowances, and a pension scheme. These benefits cover additional costs that employees may have otherwise incurred at work. Therefore, providing fringe benefits sends a message to your staff that you value and appreciate them.

6. Celebrate Birthdays

Birthdays are special occasions for anyone. However, some people often experience birthday blues and don't celebrate their big day. Therefore, it is always a perfect time to show your employees that they are important. Gift cards and a simple cake can go a long way. People will surely remember such memorable gestures. As an employer, you should understand that sometimes it all comes down to simple things.

7. Recognition Awards

Create recognition awards like Employee of the Year, Most Improved Employee, etc., and award workers with tangibles like club memberships or cash prizes. Recognition awards are a great way to boost your staff members' morale, leading to a competitive but productive work environment.

8. Employee Involvement

An organization that involves its workers in making critical plans and decisions has happier staff than one that doesn't. As an employer, pay attention to your workers' opinions, even dissenting ones. Involving staff members helps build a strong team and gives them a sense of belonging and affiliation.

Making decisions without consulting your employees can make them feel insignificant, which can impede their performance. Involving staff will also help you find potential areas of improvement.

9. Celebrate Milestones Together

Make sure to include your personnel in celebrations whenever an achievement is made. Some employers make the mistake of side-lining workers during celebrations, which makes them feel left out. Understand that your employees are integral to your organization's success and give credit whenever needed. Celebrate together to show your staff that they are part of the organization's success.

10.  Improve Workplace Systems

For example, you can replace old, slow computers with faster and up-to-date ones for high efficiency at work. Make sure that basic things like sanitation and security are met. Improving the workplace will send a message to your personnel that you think highly and want the best for them.

11.  Encourage Social Activities

Employees hardly ever get time to unwind. As an employer, giving your staff time off and engaging in activities such as team retreats, parties, and luncheons are great ways that can help you break office monotony.

Conclusion

Employers demand workers who add value to their organizations. In the same way, employees need employers who go the extra mile to show appreciation. Appreciation improves productivity and morale in work environments. Staff members are likely to quit well-paid jobs for organizations that pay less but provide supportive atmosphere.

Amid the Great Resignation, employers who take care of their personnel experience lower turnover rates. Make appreciation a common culture in your organization, and enjoy motivated and loyal staff members.