Saying Thank You Is Good for Business
The recession caused many employers to cut jobs and eliminate bonuses and other perks in order to stay in business. They asked their employees to take on greater workloads or work longer hours. It’s no wonder so many people feel frustrated and discouraged. In her article, In Prase of Praise, Susan Adams discusses how something as simple as saying thank you can improve morale, productivity and retention.
Who doesn’t love it when the boss takes a moment to say, “Hey, thank you for working so hard to help us reach our goal.”? I remember when the supervisor in an office job I had a few years ago did just that. We as a team had completed an extra amount of work. It required coming in to work on Saturdays, but the work was completed by the intended deadline and nobody complained about putting in the extra hours. Our supervisor told us how much we had accomplished and how much she appreciated our efforts. Outside of a telemarketing setting, that’s the first time I can recall a supervisor saying thank you to the team. It made me feel good, and I believe it made my coworkers feel good, too.
Group praise is great, but individual praise is even better, especially when it’s given in the presence of other team members. For a supervisor to praise an employee in front of a department manager or company executive could make an employee feel even more appreciated.
In these difficult economic times, it’s important for employers to remind employees that they are wanted and that their efforts are appreciated. Morale increases when employees feel valued, and studies have shown that increased morale leads to increased productivity. Most people understand that cash bonuses and other tangible rewards might not be possible, which makes even more important for employers to thank their employees for jobs well done.
