Staff report lower levels of appreciation than their counterparts in the US and Australia, although senior management feel more valued
Brits lag behind in workplace appreciation, with the UK reporting the lowest appreciation index scores (61.8 out of 100) against the US (66.3) and Australia (66.8), and below the global average of 65 revealed a survey of work trends by employee engagement company, Reward Gateway Edenred.
Appreciation levels also varied across sectors, with employees in professional services including accountants and lawyers, and financial services generally reporting higher than average appreciation levels.
Senior management in the UK were the happiest with a score of 72, compared to 61.6 for entry-level employees.
Staff working in hospitality and tourism, healthcare and the public sector felt least appreciated.
The biggest driver of appreciation was managerial recognition, but only two-thirds of Brits felt they were recognised by their manager (66%). Rewards for hard work and a sense of belonging were the next most important factors.
This highlights the need for hard work to be recognised, especially when employees are putting in extra effort beyond what is typically required, and in areas like accountancy where long hours are often expected from staff as a matter of course.
Nebel Crowhurst, chief appreciation officer at Reward Gateway | Edenred, 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.
In the UK, millenials, Gen Z and baby boomers felt more acknowledged by their managers than Gen X, indicating that middle managers and staff aged 45 to 60 were falling between the cracks. This was not the case in the US and Australia, feeding into concerns of ageism in the workplace.
Despite perceived benefits, employees in larger companies felt less supported than those working for medium sized counterparts, suggesting that big companies should invest more in making sure their employees feel seen and valued.
Staff recognition needs to be taken seriously by managers, as 88% of British employees reported they work harder when they were appreciated for the work they did. They also had higher job satisfaction. In the UK, only 59.6% said they felt they had adequate managerial recognition.
Fostering a culture of appreciation is not just a ‘nice-to-have’, but a strategic imperative for businesses. Being appreciated also made staff feel more loyal to their employer (88%), while others said it made them want to take on extra tasks (73%), increasing productivity, engagement and job satisfaction.
Crowhurst added: ‘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.’
Visit BrAInbox today where you can find answers to questions like Can I increase annual leave to reward long service?
Peninsula Team, Peninsula Team
(Last updated )
Peninsula Team, Peninsula Team
(Last updated )
Get instant, expert answers to your HR questions...
When AI meets 40 years of Peninsula expertise... you get instant, expert answers to your HR and health & safety questions