Award meeting

Recognition relates directly to job satisfaction. It is a defining factor in any employee’s sense of worth in the workplace. According to a Gallup poll, employees who report feeling under-recognized at work are three times more likely to quit in the next year. With caregiver turnover at 61.6%, home care providers should look to employee-recognition programs for solutions to their turnover problems. Actively working to create a culture of appreciation in the workplace will generate long-term employees and customers.

For our 2015 Private Duty Benchmarking Study, we asked caregivers how they would like to be recognized. These are three of their top answers:

1. Tell Them

Caregivers rated verbal recognition by a supervisor as their #1 preferred form of recognition. So if you notice good work, say so. Mark Twain once said he could live two months on a good compliment, and caregivers similarly noted that a simple ‘thank you’ or ‘well done’ is often sufficient for them to feel respected and valued at work. Science shows that praise stimulates a chemical in our minds called dopamine that triggers positive emotions such as satisfaction and pride. That same chemical secures the knowledge in your mind that repeating this behavior will earn you more praise and therefore more satisfaction. Apparently saying ‘thanks’ is a natural way to create a positive work drive.

2. Provide Perks

While a raise may be outside of the company budget, 20.4% of caregivers mentioned smaller forms of monetary recognition as their chosen form of acknowledgement. Small bonuses for top performers, extra vacation time, or gift cards are simple forms of appreciation. These tiny perks become physical reminders of an employer’s gratitude for a job well done.

3. Tell Others

Though private accolades will go far, combining them with public recognition will validate those compliments and create a company-wide culture of appreciation. Certificates and awards become long-term reminders of hard work, and taking time to present these awards formally provides the perfect opportunity to define for your employees what quality caregiving looks like. Praise is contagious, and as you acknowledge one caregiver’s work, you’ll be able to inspire your other caregivers to improve their own level of care.

Though money is a motivator, it’s not necessarily the most effective method to show your caregivers the value they have in your company. Employee recognition doesn’t need to be costly or complicated; after all, a ‘thank you’ is free but in relation to showing your employees their worth, it could be priceless.

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2 Comments

  1. Jordan June 15, 2015 at 12:07 pm - Reply

    Great post! It’s definitely important for home caregivers be recognized for all their hard work – it can be a very taxing job, but one that can be very fulfilling too. Thanks for sharing these tips for giving caregivers recognition they deserve!

  2. Home Care Pulse June 24, 2015 at 1:22 pm - Reply

    Thanks Jordan! I think everyone has a basic need to be recognized for their work. Sometimes it’s surprising how far a simple ‘thank you’ can go.

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