Via VistaMommy, Wikimedia Commons
Not much has changed since kindergarten. There’s still power to the “magic words” your mother always prompted you to say, and they’re what employees want most to hear this holiday season, too.
“Thank you.”
Research shows what employees really crave is your gratitude, recognition and support — and especially in uncertain economic times — a thoughtful and practical gift.
More than 80 percent of employees say they’re motivated to work harder when their boss shows appreciation for their work, compared to less than 40 percent who are motivated by a demanding boss or because they fear losing their job, according to a recent study by the online career site Glassdoor.
Business News Daily recently addressed the study and its significance. The traditional methods many managers have relied upon for years to motivate their employees to work harder — such as demands for more work or longer hours, or fat bonuses not backed by any meaningful show of gratitude — are surprisingly weak motivators.
The study found that less heavy-handed methods can be powerful motivators, too. These include thank-you notes, holiday parties and unexpected treats like lunch or dinner.
“There is a wide variety of ways to show employee appreciation that can go far towards keeping employees satisfied, engaged and retained,” Allyson Willoughby, Glassdoor’s senior vice president of people and general counsel, told Business News Daily. “Even inexpensive forms of appreciation, like thank you cards and treats, or offering flexibility like telecommuting, show employees you value them.”
Ivey Business Journal frames this issue around “the rise in importance of psychic, or intrinsic rewards, and the decline of material or extrinsic rewards.”
Extrinsic rewards typically involve pay raises, bonuses and benefits. Intrinsic rewards cover a wide range of motivators, from engagement to gratitude. Managerial and employee preference for intrinsic rewards is prompted by a shift in generational attitudes over the past few decades, according to author Kenneth Thomas.
Thomas writes, “Extrinsic rewards remain significant for workers, of course. Pay is an important consideration for most workers in accepting a job, and unfair pay can be a strong de-motivator. However, after people have taken a job and issues of unfairness have been settled, we find that extrinsic rewards are now less important, as day-to-day motivation is more strongly driven by intrinsic rewards.”
Now’s the right time to say “Thank you”
After all, what better time to say thank you and share gifts with your employees than over the holidays? The year 2013 is coming to a close, and your employees will be reflecting on where they’ve been in the past year, what they value and where they’re going in the next year.
If you would like to share a gift too, gift cards and gift certificates are some of the most practical, convenient and wanted items this holiday season, according to Yahoo! Finance writer Mandi Woodruff, most significantly because they give the recipient the choice of when and where to shop.
Give employees and colleagues what they want most for the holidays – your appreciation and thanks for their contributions and hard work. They will be grateful for the recognition and feel valued, while you will like knowing that employees will feel excited about the work year ahead.
To learn more about building a culture of appreciation, download our FREE eBook on “Workplace Gratitude”. You’ll be amazed at the power of gratitude in the workplace.
About gThankYou, LLC
Turkey Gift Certificates and Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou! are two of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand (Turkey or Turkey Or Ham), at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime. gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and our free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo. And, nearly all orders ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin. Contact: Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
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