Remember back in elementary school, when it was a big deal to get a good grade on a paper with a smiley face from your teacher? People don’t outgrow their desire to receive praise from on high – including from their boss, which can have a big impact on employee retention.In today’s mix of on-site, hybrid and remote work environments, where many team members often split their time between home and office locations, employee recognition efforts are more important than ever. Acknowledging your team members’ hard work can boost spirits, instill loyalty and improve retention, which is key to your organization’s ongoing success.Fortunately, a Robert Half survey of more than 1,500 Canadian professionals found that nearly three quarters – 74 per cent – of Canadian workers feel adequately recognized by their manager. But with Friday March 7, 2025 marking this year’s Employee Appreciation Day, there’s never been a better opportunity to review your approach to employee appreciation.Here are some ways to celebrate your team members regardless of your budget or work environment. Then, let’s take a look at some common employee recognition missteps to avoid.
Show them you mean it
Put your praise in writing: Verbal praise is important, but documenting great work in writing is even better. A thank-you note — especially one that the company’s leaders add their own congratulations to — can serve as a motivating message that an employee can keep and look back on. According to Robert Half research, two thirds – 66 per cent – of Canadian managers recognize employees through written appreciation at least monthly.Sing their praises widely: A key benefit of hybrid and on-site work environments is the large, celebratory events and in-person staff meetings that come with them. But even in remote environments, video conferencing is an excellent way to recognize employees for their accomplishments in front of their colleagues and managers. Announcing key achievements can be part of a regular virtual meeting, of course, but don’t underestimate the value of also scheduling a special online event to salute major successes.Broaden the recognition: Consider calling out everyone who played a role in a big win. This reinforces the benefits of collaboration.Consider monetary rewards: Few things have a larger impact than extra pay. As you recognize the professionals who work for you, also explore the possibility of providing spot bonuses, raises and other financial rewards if budgets allow. According to Robert Half research, 41 per cent of Canadian companies recognize their employees with spot or performance bonuses.Give the gift of time: If anything rivals extra pay for impact, it’s time off. That’s likely why more than two thirds – 69 per cent – of Canadian hiring managers recognize their employees with additional time off at least once per quarter. The employees appreciate it too – 46 per cent of Canadian workers say extra time off or flexible hours motivates them to do their best work.Find out how benefits and perks can be just as important as salary when it comes to attracting and retaining top talent.
Employee appreciation mistakes to avoid
Don’t underwhelm them. The form of recognition should fit the degree of achievement. Nearly half – 46 per cent – of Canadian employees appreciate small tokens such as gift cards or swag, but giving a strong performer a $5 gift card doesn’t exactly send the message that you view their work as significant.Don’t let smaller budgets lead you to skip appreciation. Recognition doesn’t always need to be extravagant to be effective. Buying a cake can feel as thoughtful as treating the office to lunch. Frequently saying “thank you” or giving credit for good ideas can be powerful motivators too.Don’t be vague. Just telling someone that they did a “nice job” is too generic. Properly give thanks by tying acknowledgments back to specific actions so the employee knows exactly what they did well.Don’t let one star outshine the rest. Although some workers naturally gravitate toward the limelight, don’t forget to celebrate the unsung heroes who made significant contributions behind the scenes. Nothing is worse than thanking an employee for something someone else did. People will take note.Skilled talent is in high demand in any job market. So be sure to make employee recognition an ongoing priority if you want to hold on to your top performers.Need help building hybrid or remote teams? Reach out to one of our talent solutions experts today!
