Celebrating a service anniversary is an exciting time for any employee. I admit I even get a little excited knowing that my ten-year anniversary is around the corner. How an organization chooses to celebrate the anniversary directly impacts the employee’s perception of the value the company places on them.
One challenge organizations can face is getting managers to deliver the message – the organization appreciates the employee’s dedication and career contributions – in a meaningful way. As a leader how many times have you received survey results about the service recognition moment with answers like, the box was left on my desk or my manager handed it to me in the hallway, shook my hand and went on their way? It’s happening more than you would like, right? Let’s be honest, those are not exactly meaningful moments.
Today, employee engagement is one of the key factors in the success of an organization and in maintaining its competitive edge. With the rapidly changing workforce demographic, organizations are seeing a reduction in the employee’s joining a company and staying on until retirement.
So, how can organizations sustain engagement? Well, there is no single answer. However, employers should make it possible for their people to do their best work. It requires an ongoing, planned effort with the right strategies. Building an environment where good work is praised, great work is rewarded, and poor performance is promptly addressed increases employee engagement.
Organizations are seeing this more frequently; an employee is hired, trained, and just when they are contributing solidly to the team, FLASH, they’re gone! The employee has moved on and once again there is an unfilled position.
The ability to successfully entice, acquire and retain talent has become a high stakes battle as organizations place new attention on retaining employees.
