Example: A new employee it the shop
Ida, who has just started as an apprentice, is a little bewildered and shy at a staff meeting.
The shop owner, Kirsten, commends her employees for staying on the ball and emphasises that yesterday’s cash difference was low.
Ida feels very new, and is not sure whether her colleagues have noticed her contribution or whether their praise is also directed at her, but it is.
At the meeting, Ida is commended for being quick to understand processes, and she is very pleased and relieved.
What does rewards and recognition mean?
Most people are more motivated at work if they receive a reward, praise or recognition from colleagues and managers.
It’s important that there is a good balance between your efforts and the reward you receive. It can be difficult to know how others perceive positive praise and a reward. Talk to each other and listen to each other. If you commend a colleague, and he or she doesn’t seem happy, it’s probably because there’s been a misunderstanding. Find out what’s wrong together.
What can be a reward?
- What a person perceives as a reward is individual, but it is often:
- Salary, bonus and pay supplement.
- Continuing education and the possibility to work on challenging tasks.
- Internal career opportunities at the shop, but also at other shops, or being promoted from employee to manager.
- That requests for days off and holidays are met with respect.
- Improvements in the workstation (for example lighting, less draught, view, chair, desk).
- That working conditions, work schedules, etc. are perceived as fair.
What does being appreciated mean?
Feelings are always individual and therefore also a little difficult to address, but nearly all people are happy and feel appreciated when they receive positive feedback, constructive criticism, are commended, or feel supported when necessary.
When to focus on rewards and positive feedback
The health and safety risk assessment (APV), the employee satisfaction survey, a survey of your psychosocial working conditions, or some other event may reveal that some colleagues and employees are missing something at work.
This could be:
- Recognition from management and colleagues
- Being seen, heard and respected
- Fair treatment and distribution of staff benefits
- Praise when difficult tasks are resolved or in busy periods
- That problems are solved as they arise. For example, a colleague who shows up for work at unsociable times.