What makes you satisfied at your job? It is doing something you truly enjoy. It is being compensated fairly. Is it recognition from your peers and your boss? Or is it a combination of all the factors listed above?
Quality Logo Products recently surveyed 1,400 American workers to see whether they currently feel valued at work and how much being valued impacts their job performance.
The first part of the analysis sought to find out whether or not Americans currently feel valued at their job. The news is good here. The survey found that 83% of Americans said that they currently feel valued at their job. 55% said they were extremely valued at work while another 39% said they were somewhat valued at their job. Only 6% said they were not at all valued at work. 58% of surveyed respondents believe that it is extremely important to feel valued at their job. The next part of the surveyed asked American workers about the frequency in which they receive praise or appreciation at their job. Listed below is the full breakdown:
1. My employer showed appreciation within the last six months (33% of respondents)
2. My employer showed appreciation of my work within the last month (30% of respondents)
3. My employer showed appreciation of my work within the last week (21% of respondents)
4. My employer showed appreciation of my work within the last year (8% of respondents)
5. My employer showed appreciation of my work more than a year ago (5% of respondents)
6. My employer has never shown appreciation of my work (3% of respondents).
The survey also asked about direct recognition from a boss or superior and not just your employer. Listed below is the full breakdown:
1. I receive recognition from my boss a few times a week (22% of respondents)
2. I receive recognition from my boss once a week (20% of respondents)
3. I receive recognition from my boss a few times a month (19% of respondents)
4. I receive recognition from my boss a few times a year (12% of respondents)
5. I receive recognition from my boss once a month (11% of respondents)
6. I receive recognition from my boss once a day (9% of respondents)
7. I receive recognition from my boss once a year or less (7% of respondents)
What are the most popular types of recognition for day-to-day accomplishments?
The survey from Quality Logo Products found that recognition for day-to-day accomplishments most likely came in the form on thanks either in verbal or digital form. 63% of workers said they received a verbal thanks. 47% of workers said they received a digital thanks. 37% received a handwritten note and only 23% received a gift or award for their accomplishments.
The results were slightly different when analyzing recognition for more significant accomplishments beyond day-to-day stuff. Verbal and digital thanks both took the top two spots, but after that we saw some changes on how people were recognized. See the full list below:
1. Verbal thanks (50%)
2. Digital thanks (40%)
3. Pay increase (36%)
4. New growth opportunities (34%)
5. Bonuses (34%)
6. Handwritten thanks (31%)
7. High performance rating (30%)
8. Gifts or awards (22%)
9. PTO (6%)
The next part of the analysis compared employee recognition between remote workers and their in- office counterparts. Traditionally it would seem that working in an office would give workers more opportunity for advancement and rewards than working remotely. However, that has largely changed during the COVID-19 pandemic and so many employers switching to fully remote teams. 92% of remote workers reported feeling just as valued by their employers as those who are working in an office. 47% said they felt valued as much and 45% said they felt more valued than those who work in the office. Only 8% said they felt less valued. 54% of all workers surveyed said they’re more likely to recognize coworkers for their accomplishments in a virtual workplace environment.
How do employees want to be recognized at work?
90% of employees said they would prefer to be recognized for their constant efforts and accomplishments and work rather than just for big wins. Employees said they’d most like to be recognized for their performance first and foremost, followed by their knowledge on the job, their effort at work, living by the values of the company, their team spirit and helpfulness to others. Only 1% of those surveyed said they wanted to be recognized for hitting milestones at work.
When it comes to frequency of recognition at work, most employees said they would prefer to be recognized either weekly or a few times a month. The survey next asked about which forms of recognition they most want to receive for finishing a significant accomplishment at work. Listed below is the full breakdown:
1. I want a pay increase (67%)
2. I want a bonus (53%)
3. I want a new growth opportunity (46%)
4. I want a verbal thanks (44%)
5. I want a digital thanks (37%)
6. I want a high-performance rating (37%)
7. I want a handwritten thanks from my boss or employer (34%)
8. I want a gift or award (32%)
9. I want more PTO (14%)
The survey next asked employees who they would most like to be recognized by at work. 49% they would prefer to be recognized by leadership above direct management, 43% said they wanted to be recognized by their direct manager and only 8% said they wished to be recognized by colleagues.
As part of being recognized most American workers reported receiving swag from their employers. 75% said they have received company-branded swag at some point during their time at the company. 95% said they kept and use the company branded swag. The most common types of swag are tech or tech accessories, bags, drinkware, pen and paper and travel accessories. Most employees said they even keep the swag after they leave that job.
Infographic by: qualitylogoproducts
