A sense of belonging is essential to the well-being of any individual, and the same goes for employees in the workplace. Employees who feel a sense of belonging at work are more motivated, more productive, more engaged, and more loyal to their company. Therefore, the biggest challenge facing employers and HR managers today is to create a sense of belonging among employees towards the organization. In this article, we will share with you the best tips to help you overcome this challenge within your organization. Let’s get started!
Defining a sense of belonging at work
A sense of belonging at work is first and foremost an attachment. It is the recognition that an employee feels for the company in which he works. This emotional bond is the gateway to loyalty and increased productivity. Employees who have a strong sense of belonging also act as brand ambassadors. Wherever they go, they will represent their company in a positive and favorable light.
In addition, when they feel a sense of recognition at work, employees are more involved and motivated in the accomplishment of their tasks. They are proud to belong to the company they work for and to participate in its success. In other words, the feeling of belonging is the bond that unites employees to the company.
How to create a sense of belonging?
When you implement a program that focuses on employee recognition and belonging, your employees can only feel good about their work. And that’s a great benefit for your business growth. Here are some effective tips for creating a sense of recognition and belonging at work:
Value employees' work
One of the best ways to create a sense of appreciation in an employee is to recognize their work. When you value your employees' work, they can develop a sense of accomplishment at work. For this reason, when an employee successfully completes a project that has been assigned to them, it is appropriate to show your appreciation by letting them know in various ways. Here are some examples:
- Direct communication: Your employees' success can be mentioned in a meeting or even in a private exchange.
- Indirect communication: Employee success can be highlighted in your internal communications (in a newsletter, for example).
- Rewards: Employees who have done a great job can be thanked and rewarded with gifts. Accolad can help you quickly and easily send personalized gifts to your most productive employees.
If you put these tips into practice, your employees will feel valued at work. Feeling valued at work can increase their productivity and, in turn, your company's bottom line. In our article What is Employee Recognition?, you'll learn more about the benefits of employee recognition for your business.
Encourage employees to speak up
To make your employees feel like part of a family, you need to give them freedom of expression. Before implementing any changes, take the time to consult with them to gather their suggestions. Communication in the company should be honest and transparent. Employees can feel good about their work if they know that their opinions will be heard.
Additionally, you can have lunch with employees from time to time so that they can feel valued at work. Conduct anonymous surveys on topics that affect your staff and set up a feedback loop. Surprise your employees while they are completing their tasks by offering to help them when needed.
The impacts of the feeling of accomplishment at work
Developing a sense of accomplishment at work has significant impacts on employees and the company. According to American research, the feeling of recognition brings benefits such as:
- A 50% reduction in the risk of staff turnover
- A 56% improvement in employee performance
Feeling good at work allows employees to view the company's workforce as family. A sense of accomplishment at work can prevent them from leaving early, taking time off, or putting only the minimum effort required into their work. Additionally, when company members develop a sense of belonging at work, they become more productive and committed to the company's success.
How to make a company's staff feel valued?
Feeling valued is the ultimate requirement for an employee to remain successful within a company. If you want your staff to be more productive and motivated, you need to give them what they are looking for: value.
First, you need to show your appreciation for their work and loyalty. Then, you need to build a relationship between the staff and the company's management. Employees feel more useful when they know what their belonging to a company is for. Develop communication channels on collective platforms and facilitate physical meetings. Finally, give your employees a voice in the decision-making process so that they can express themselves.
Strengthen employee belonging and recognition with Accolad
You can never be too well-informed about the keys to creating a sense of belonging among your employees. It’s a task that’s far too difficult to accomplish alone. To do this, we recommend the ideal ally: Accolad. Its experts will help you show your appreciation to your employees, whatever the occasion.
Accolad offers you the possibility to send your employees customizable gifts, and this, automatically. Several options are available according to your needs and your budget. With its rich catalog of rewards, your employees will be able to choose something that perfectly suits their taste.
By choosing Accolad, your desire to create a sense of belonging or recognition at work becomes a success. Want to know more about all the services offered by Accolad? Talk to one of our experts for a free consultation.