EJB Official Affirms the Importance of Recognition Programs to Enhance Employee Engagement
2018 witnessed a surge in employee engagement levels in the Middle East and North Africa, with rewards and recognition being the most active domain according to Mohamed Elkholi; a member of the Egyptian Junior Businessmen Association (EJB) and CEO of employee engagement consultancy firm DOTMENT.
“Across the Levant and North Africa, Egypt led the surge in engagement levels, reaching highs of 70%, followed by Algeria, Tunisia, and finally, Morocco, all with rewards and recognition at the forefront, according to reports by AON. This is expected to continue,” Elkholi noted.
The COVD-19 pandemic has expedited the need to increase employee engagement levels more than ever before, and it is expected for that surge to maintain growth well over the coming years, with reward and recognition programs to continue in the lead.
“Both companies and employees have been shaken by the pandemic,” says Elkholi. “And despite fluctuating productivity levels, employees are seeing their companies through to the other side of this global crisis. Companies are grateful, and they want to show it.”
A well-planned recognition program fosters a culture of appreciation, helping retain top talent, increase employee engagement, and encourage high performance levels. Several studies correlate positive outcomes to recognition programs, including outperforming competition (by 20%), higher sales (up to 37%), satisfaction (50%), and reduced absenteeism (10 times fewer sick days).
How companies go about employee rewards and recognition now may need to change, with budget constraints and employee mindsets facing unprecedented shifts.
“In these unusual times, the carrot and stick approach just won’t cut it,” comments Mohamed Elkholi. “Employees need to feel socially recognized more than they want to be financially rewarded for their efforts, especially with the impact that social distancing has made on their psyche. Rewards are important, but so is recognition.”
While companies want to reward and recognize employees for their efforts, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, they need to do it in ways that are simultaneously effective and cost-efficient.
Solutions like digital reward platforms and celebratory internal communications are being utilized, and peer-to-peer recognitions are becoming more and more popular, as opposed to management-to-subordinate.
According to a Globoforce Employee Recognition Survey, peer-to-peer recognition is approximately 36% more likely to have a positive impact on an employee’s commitment and engagement within the company’s goals. An employee is also more likely to feel a greater sense of achievement when they receive recognition in front of their peers where the entire organization celebrates their success.
“Inclusivity is another crucial part of the equation,” Elkholi continues. “A balanced recognition program is key where employees are recognized both individually and as teams. Leaving some people out is a pitfall that companies should avoid.”
Reward and recognition programs are among the leading factors companies are hinging on to recover from the losses of the COVID-19 pandemic. While criteria such as budgets, organizational alignment, and correlating employee achievements are critical, effectiveness remains key. “Employees are motivated by more than money,” concluded Elkholi.
“Companies need to develop recognition programs that reflect their organization’s culture, core values, and workplace diversity,” Mohamed Elkholi conlcuded.
