I don’t know about many of you, but I am seeing signs of lockdown weariness all around me. Whilst the jump into a different way of working was challenging, it was also novel for many and although office banter and socialisation is missed by many, others are revelling in the fact that they don’t have to commute further than their bedroom. But there are definitely signs that enforced lockdown is eating at people’s souls, and whilst they try to deliver their ‘usual jobs’ where they can, there is also the impact of team members on furlough, and the threat of redundancies looming large for many businesses. 

So it is more important that ever to boost morale and ensure that teams feel supported and recognised for their efforts. I’ve seen some great examples recently of organisations thanking their staff for their contribution, including our client Astor who sent personalised letters and boxes of chocolates to all staff. Others such as Global medical and travel security services organisation International SOS have publicly recognised all of its pandemic managers by featuring them in a special edition of its monthly newsletter, ‘celebrating its heroes’ during the Covid-19 pandemic. Sent out to all of its 10,000 staff across the world, alongside a video interview with the regional managing director thanking global employees for their hard work during the pandemic, the newsletter featured local managers praising employees who have gone above and beyond during these exceptional circumstances.

We’ve also seen examples of companies such as Woolworths in Australia (I know – a much missed brand here in the UK that I had the pleasure to work for!), who are giving employees who don’t already participate in its short-term incentive schemes, up to $750 Australian dollars (£409) of Woolworths Group shares as well as $250 Australian dollars (£136) in team member pluscard credits, to thank and recognise the team by making them shareholders in the group. The idea is not only to recognise team’s efforts over the last year, but also acknowledging the future challenges that will be faced as they continue to adjust to new ways of working. 

Aligning staff to the future of the business financially is a strong way of ensuring a sense of ‘we’re all in it together’. Another way however is to extend the recognition beyond employees into their families, bringing stronger connectivity between work and home and aligning values. This was demonstrated by University College London Hospital who wrote to the children of staff members thanking them for their role in supporting the hospital as extended team members, providing kindness, jokes and smiles to their parents and keeping them going through this challenging time. Not only does it tug at your heart strings, it is a brilliant example of living the values and goes far beyond a recognition voucher.

Simple recognition is often the best. Every time we run focus groups on the subject, the thing people want to most is a simple thank you – they just want to be acknowledged. Whilst we run round like headless chickens, reacting to the latest need this pandemic creates, take a moment to say thank you to those around you – it goes further than you think.

If you would like to discuss recognition within your organisation, please do get in touch as it is an area I am incredibly passionate about! You can call me on +44 (0)20 3457 0894 or email me on justine.woolf@innecto.com.

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