How to Recognise High-Performing Employees in a Hybrid Workplace?

Since the pandemic, many companies have moved from remote or office working to a hybrid alternative. The move to hybrid working has presented many challenges as well as exciting developments in the way we work.

So, with hybrid working seemingly here to stay, how can employers ensure that high performers are recognised?

There is evidence to suggest that the following elements are crucial to success in a hybrid workplace:

exemplifying trust between managers and their staff and
giving regular feedback
maintaining a connected work culture

Trust

In order to encourage employees to strive to develop their learning and feel motivated to achieve more, it is important they feel that there is a trusting relationship between managers and staff. A study undertaken by Ricoh Europe in 2021, found that two-thirds of employers didn’t trust their employees to work remotely. It is essential that this is changed if hybrid-workplaces want to encourage success. To encourage trust between managers and their staff, regular communication is key, so that both the managers and their staff feel ‘in the loop’ about what is expected.

Communication

How can managers ensure that clear objectives are communicated, and that employees’ achievements are recognised and kept track of?

Firstly, it is essential that managers set clear objectives that allow both themselves and their team to keep track of progress. Objectives that contain a degree of ambition in them, such as objectives that aspire to push employees to meet targets for a slightly higher quality or quantity of work output than usual, can help to encourage employees to progress. It is important that these targets are healthy and realistic and rather than increasing stress, help to motivate staff members to be more productive.

To help improve relationships and trust between employees and managers, regular performance reviews and appraisals are essential. Discussions at a 1-2-1 level about work that has been done well motivates employees to keep pushing themselves to progress as they feel that their achievements have been recognised and appreciated.

Celebrating High Performers – Rewards, Recognition & Perks

There are several ways employers can celebrate good performance. The best way is to ask employees what they want and what makes them feel rewarded and recognised. Here are just a few ways you can help high performers feel recognised:

Shout-outs on social media platforms such as LinkedIn. This helps employees to feel recognised as individuals for their achievements.
Recognising employees’ achievements in newsletters, discussion boards and team meetings. This not only results in those employees feeling appreciated, it also provides guidance to other employees that are aspiring to progress as to what the company is looking for in terms of what makes a successful employee.
Having virtual social events in which team members are able to celebrate group and individual achievements together. This also helps build a more supportive and collaborative work environment.
Reward them with an afternoon off.
If you would normally organise cakes or food-based rewards for the office, consider sending employees food vouchers or having food sent to them.
Invest in reward schemes that allow employees to make the most of their time off. Some reward schemes will offer discounts on theme parks, zoos etc. that make for a great day out. There are also perk schemes that offer travel related discounts or discounts on restaurants.
Offer to fund further training for them. This not only helps them to progress, it also shows that you recognise that they have potential and consider them to be an important member of your organisation.

If you want to reward a whole team you could organise a social gathering (this would allow employees that can normally only communicate virtually to meet).