A recent survey conducted by Reward Gateway Edenred reveals that the UK lags behind the US and Australia in employee appreciation. The UK scored 61.8 on the company’s Appreciation Index, compared to 66.3 for the US and 66.8 for Australia.
The study evaluated the perceptions of employee experience across 1,040 UK employees, 1,060 US employees, and 1,252 Australian employees through psychometric testing.
Despite 66% of UK employees reporting recognition from their managers, the hierarchical nature of the UK’s workplace culture may hinder more frequent expressions of appreciation. This formality and top-down management culture could contribute to a sense of underappreciation, particularly among women, younger employees, and those in junior roles.
The findings suggest that appreciation impacts employee engagement. As many as 88% of UK employees said they work harder when appreciated, 91% felt more engaged, and 92% reported higher job satisfaction. However, the UK’s higher turnover intention, with 65% of employees planning to change jobs within a year, indicates potential gaps in recognition strategies.
Creating a culture of appreciation starts from onboarding, where personalised feedback and recognition play crucial roles. Companies can leverage tools and insights from employee data to tailor appreciation efforts. Ensuring that compensation and benefits are effectively communicated and understood is also vital, as these remain key drivers for employee retention.
To boost workplace appreciation, HR should focus on diversity and inclusion, considering the varying needs of a diverse workforce.