According to new research, there is a gender gap in recognition at work in the UK. This has a negative impact on business. According to the findings, 30 percent of women in the UK feel underappreciated by their employers compared with 20 percent of males.
According to the Reward Gateway | Edenred’s Appreciation Index, one of the main reasons for this disparity is that women often feel less recognised by managers and receive fewer instances of praise. Many women also feel that their hard work isn’t adequately rewarded.
In the report, it is noted that women tend to be more likely than men to work in sectors such as education, hospitality, tourism and healthcare, all of which score lower on appreciation. Men, on the other hand, are more likely to be employed in sectors such as financial services, technology, and pharmaceuticals which have some of highest levels of appreciation. These differences in industry contribute to the gender gap at work.
Nebel Crowhurst is the Chief Appreciation officer at Reward Gateway. She said: “It’s not a secret that UK employers are experiencing an appreciation crisis. We are lagging behind Australia and the US in our scores of appreciation. It’s crucial to identify those in the UK who are at greater risk of feeling underappreciated and to implement changes within the workplace that will help to mitigate this.
Workplace Recognition: The Business Impact
The Appreciation index suggests that there is a link between employee recognition, and positive workplace outcomes. Employees who are appreciated by their employers are more productive, loyal and engaged . The report revealed that 91 per cent of employees who felt valued were more engaged at their jobs, and 88 per cent said they would be more likely to work hard and remain loyal to the employer. A further 73 per cent said that feeling appreciated made them more willing take on additional work.
According to the Economic Value Study by Reward Gateway, organisations that foster a stronger appreciation of their employees see positive business outcomes increase between 5 and 7 percent.
Crowhurst added, “Our research highlights the positive outcomes such as increased productivity, engagement and loyalty associated with employees feeling valued.” In light of this, employers should place more emphasis on employee appreciation, particularly in those parts of the workforce at greater risk of being underappreciated.
Crowhurst emphasized the urgency of taking immediate action to resolve the issue. She cited World Economic Forum statistics that suggest full gender equality will not be achieved until 2158, if the pace of progress continues.
How to improve employee appreciation
The Appreciation index suggests that organizations can create a more positive work environment by focusing their efforts on three key areas.
Managerial support and recognition play an important role in encouraging workplace appreciation. When their managers or influential stakeholders acknowledge them, employees feel valued. The report recommends that organisations train their managers to recognise employee contributions in an equitable and effective manner while also creating a supportive working environment.
It is important to recognize employees at the organisational level. When employees go above and beyond their role, they respond positively to praise and rewards that are structured. Employees feel more valued and motivated when companies implement inclusive and consistent recognition programs.
Finaly, creating a feeling of belonging is crucial for engagement and retention. Employees who are connected to their work and co-workers will be more committed to the organisation’s goals. Senior leaders report feeling more connected than junior staff. This highlights the need for businesses to work across all levels.
