Recognition and Reward
Improving Retention Together
Why Recognition and Reward matters
Making colleagues feel valued, respected and recognised for their hard work significantly increases colleague morale, sense of belonging and pride and is associated with reduced burnout. Commonly, a lack of recognition is cited as a significant factor that leads to colleagues seeking alternative roles. Effective recognition, which can involve formal awards, peer recognition or a simple thank you really do make a difference and help to build cultures of appreciation, compassion and psychological safety, enabling colleagues to raise concerns, support each other, and work collaboratively without fear and blame or undervaluing and positively impact the quality and safety of care and services, and the best bit is, it is easy to achieve.
- Embed everyday recognition: say a meaningful thank you and encourage peer recognition.
- Use formal reward and recognition opportunities, nominate each other, develop local awards
- Make recognition visible: share good practice and achievements in team meetings, communications and handovers
- Share positive feedback
- Personalise your recognition approach, learn what matters to each individual- a quiet thank you or formal recognition?
- Role model appreciation: demonstrate humility and gratitude and inclusivity
- Recognise potential and encourage development, offer opportunities to act up, attend training, or lead small projects.
- Listen to and act upon feedback received from the team
- Recognise your colleagues contributions
- Say thank you when someone helps you, or goes the extra mile
- Share positive feedback from patients, relatives and colleagues
- Nominate colleagues for awards: Trust/Health Board or National staff awards
- Support a culture of peer recognition: praise each other in team meetings, handovers and communications
- Celebrate team success together
- Practice self recognition: reflect on what you did well each day, however small
- Provide constructive feedback with kindness: and compassion
- Offer feedback, improvements and innovations
