We’ve talked about how important employee engagement is, and how digital employee recognition affects company culture. The science is in saying employee recognition is important – it’s an easy way to boost morale and improve job performance. But some of my favorite effects of employee recognition are often overlooked.

Recognition Helps Motivate Employees

Researchers in China studied feedback in the workplace, and they found that when recognized, not only did the team performed better overall, but they were more motivated. While they focused specifically on developmental feedback, they found that giving positive feedback, namely employee recognition, keeps employees engaged and happy to be at work. This study proves that no matter what your company culture is, employee recognition goes a long way to keeping your team motivated.

Employee Recognition Improves Peer-to-Peer Connections

Surveys show that employee recognition is great when it’s coming from a leader to their team. But where employee recognition really shines is in strengthening connections within a team. With more and more employee recognition programs sprouting up, it’s important for employees to be able to see how their peers feel about them. Plus, digital employee recognition is an easy way to keep morale up and make sure that the big and little things get recognized.

It Keeps Talent Around

Harris Interactive and Career Builder found that out of all the employees planning to leave their job in 2013, 65%, an overwhelming majority, found that not feeling valued was one of their main reasons for leaving. Feeling valued only came in one percentage point behind salary at 66%- you might not be able to afford to give everyone a raise, you can still invest in your employees by making them feel valued. It’s guaranteed to give you a great return.

It’s Inexpensive

Great employee recognition doesn’t need to be a silver pin or a plaque. Digital employee recognition isn’t nearly as flashy, but it has all of the same benefits of helping employees stay happy and engaged. In times where companies are cutting back costs, digital employee recognition is a great way to keep an employee recognition program without breaking the budget.

Besides being amazing for morale, employee recognition is a great way to keep employees engaged, motivated, and keep the best talent. If you want to know how to get some recognition flowing, reach out to Teamphoria for a free company culture consultation or Sign Up for our employee recognition software today for free.