The 5 types of labor recognition

Job satisfaction is a key element for a company’s employees to be motivated. In this sense, one of the most useful strategies to increase motivation are rewards. To better understand how they work, we are going to analyze the different types of labor recognition that exist and their effects.

Let us remember that not all people are the same, nor do they work with the same scale of priorities or pursue the same interests. Understanding the different ways in which you can recognize the work of the people in your charge, and putting them into practice, will make them increase their performance and feel better.

Importance of job recognition

Motivation is one of the most complex and interesting psychological processes. After all, it is about what drives or mobilizes our behavior. Motivation pushes people to make efforts, to invest energy, to take action.

Following this line, in the labor field, interest in employee motivation has been growing over the years. So, Today we know that motivation is positively related to productivity. That is, the greater the motivation of a worker, the greater his or her performance. Thus, recognition is one of the most efficient ways to get them motivated.

Danish and Usman (2010) published a work on the impact of reward and recognition on job satisfaction and motivation. The results showed that those who maintain pleasant relationships with their co-workers, cooperative bosses, fair salaries and the possibility of growth have greater motivation.

In this way, we see how Recognition of good work keeps it going or even increase its quality.

Types of labor recognition

For the reasons listed, and for many others that have been left out, it is important to recognize the different types of labor recognition that exist.

On the other hand, let us think that Not all people respond the same to stimuli. What may be a very motivating element for one employee may not be so motivating for another.

Thus, if we want to carry out a recognition that helps optimize the performance of a worker, we would do well to know, at least a little, their profile.

1. Monetary recognition

In work environments, it is the most well-known type of reward, and also one of the favorites. Monetary rewards may include salary increases, bonuses for productivity, attendance, punctuality, sales commissions, etc. Gift cards, paid vacations, and work trips are also indirectly monetary rewards that can maintain motivation.

However, It is not advisable that these be the only type of recognition that workers receive. From studies framed in the most behavioral branch we know that reinforcements lose their power when they are applied without associating them with that attitude or behavior. The reason it happens is that when it occurs constantly, it stops being interesting to the person.

2. Verbal recognition

The recognition that some workers value most is verbal. Some words of encouragement, concrete and shared at the right time They can make the worker feel that their presence has value for the company.

However, as in the previous case, it should not be the only type of recognition. Words need to be accompanied by facts or tangible elements; Otherwise, its meaning is blurred.. Consequently, the worker could feel that the encouraging speech is imposed.

3. Mobility and promotions

A good career plan can also be a great motivation. People always want to grow; We fear challenges, but at the same time we desire them. Accessing and overcoming them is what makes us feel like we are moving forward.

A career plan tells the worker that the company not only counts on them now, but also for the future. In this way, the worker can know how their conditions will improve as their experience grows.

4. Take ideas into account

Another type of labor recognition that is valuable for workers is taking their suggestions into account. Especially in creative environments, it is significant that colleagues and superiors consider your ideas or projects. Even if they do not develop in the present, it is good to make them understand that in the future their suggestions could be useful.

5. Separate the effort from the result

Events do not always unfold as expected, despite planning. Nevertheless, It is important that employee efforts are rewarded, even when things don’t go well. This reduces the impact that failure could have on their motivation and encourages them to learn and advance. This way, in the future, the same mistake is less likely to be repeated.

How should labor recognitions be used?

Rewards at work are intended to be positive reinforcements, with all that that implies. The ideal would be to use each of the forms of recognition intelligently.: taking into account the concerns of the worker, the needs of the company and the effect, ultimately, that we want to achieve.

It is not recommended that we focus on just one type of recognition; If you do, it may lose its effect. For example, words lose meaning if they are never accompanied by other types of gestures that support them. On the other hand, economic recognition alone may, for example, not convey to the worker the idea that the company counts on him or that what is truly valued is his work, and the salary increase is not only a consequence “automatic” of adding years in the position.

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