Nearly 9 in ten British employees said they work harder when they are appreciated for the work they do, but British employers are lagging other countries when it comes to workplace appreciation.
British workers gave employers a below average Appreciation Index score of 61.8 out of 100, with the global average being 65, according to a new Appreciation Index study, from employee experience platform Reward Gateway Edenred.
Employees in the US reported a score of 66.3 and Australian workers scored 66.8.
British men felt more appreciated at work than women (80 percent versus 70 percent respectively). This gender gap was less pronounced in Australia and America. Researchers said this suggests there is a gap in British workplaces around equal appreciation, especially between men and women.
Different sectors reported varying levels of appreciation. Workers in technology, financial services and professional services generally reported higher than average appreciation, but people working in hospitality and tourism, healthcare, education, transport and logistics and the public sector reported lower appreciation levels.
Hidden potential
This is a concern as 88 percent of British employees said they work harder when they are appreciated for the work they do. Workers also said that being appreciated made them more engaged (91 percent), increased their job satisfaction (92 percent), and boosted their loyalty to their employer (88 percent). Almost three quarters (73 percent) said it made them want to take on extra tasks, which indicates that there is a hidden workforce potential to boost productivity, engagement and job satisfaction.
Recognition from managers is the biggest driver of appreciation, the study said, but only 66 percent of British employees said they are recognised by their manager. Rewards for hard work and a sense of belonging were the second and third most common reasons people said they felt appreciated. Researchers said this highlights a need for hard work to be recognised, especially when employees are going above and beyond.
British employees reported lower levels of workplace support than their counterparts in the US and Australia, and workers in Britain also said they received less praise than American and Australian workers. People in larger organisations reported feeling less supported than those in smaller and mid-sized companies.
Nebel Crowhurst, chief appreciation officer at Reward Gateway, said: “It’s important that British companies invest more time into their employees, adopting a multi-level approach that nurtures appreciation and investing in building a culture that values individuals not only for their achievements but for who they are.
“Creating a happier workplace does more than just boost the overall mood of your workers – it increases productivity, retention and improves mental wellbeing. Companies must prioritise appreciation as a fundamental part of their workplace strategy, rather than treating it as an afterthought. Investing in this approach is not just advantageous. It is vital for staying competitive and fostering an environment where employees are motivated to give their best.”
