Do you know what is important? Appreciation is important!

In the current pandemic situation, despite the fact that we can thankfully see changes for the better, it might seem that valuing the employee is not the first thought of employers. Are we sure it is? Let's present some percentages of the survey conducted by HRM Insitute.

• Only 54 percent of survey participants say they are appreciated at work.
• The sense of appreciation decreases with age - 67 percent of those surveyed under the age of 29 have it, and only 41 percent of those over the age of 50 do.
• 99 percent of those taking part in a survey called "The Power of Appreciation" say that appreciation at work is very important to them. This is regardless of gender, age or the industry in which they work.

The year 2020 undoubtedly abounded with many occasions in which we could be grateful to various professional groups. Starting with health care, where employees of this branch of our society were, so to speak, on the front line in the fight against the virus, and going further, after all, we must appreciate grocery store employees. This time in a special way confirmed how much depends on employees, who in these difficult circumstances, with their great determination and belief in the sense of supporting Poles, showed that they can make the impossible possible.

Employer branding

Employer branding is nothing more than building a company's image as an attractive employer. The issue includes external activities such as, for example, the recruitment process, as well as internal activities that simply focus on investing in people. We are not talking here only about economic resources, but the investment of things much more important that a person can give to another. Time, commitment, one's emotions. The simple word "thank you" has great power and is one of the pillars of building mutual respect

Younger and older employees

What does research conducted by the HRM Institute tell us? We have already written that only 54 percent of the survey participants believe they are appreciated at work. This is a result that should definitely make employers think. It begs the obvious question: can I afford to make nearly half of my employees feel undervalued. Such an employee does not feel connected to the company, and is not motivated to perform his or her duties to the best of their ability. It is necessary to pay attention to older employees here. The declarations of survey participants show that the sense of appreciation decreases with age. Appreciation is declared by 67% of respondents in the group up to 29 years old. In the 50 + group, only 41%

Everyone can afford appreciation

Many employers say that they simply cannot afford to appreciate their employees. What they have in mind, of course, is financial gratification. Meanwhile, according to a survey conducted by the HRM Institute, the first place enforcer with finances is given by employees to a positive message from a superior. Second place goes to being thanked by the employer for efforts in a company forum. Frequent, honest, public and regular appreciation of employees and teams is important at work. This form of reward can certainly be afforded by any employer and regardless of financial situation. Especially in this difficult time we are in (in a previous post we wrote about the VUCA environment), a simple : "Bravely, you're doing great, team" is crucial and often much more important than a discretionary bonus.