Do your employees feel like they are being taken for granted?

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A recent study found that not being recognised enough seems to have a negative impact on employees’ assessment of their work as well.

Almost eight in 10 (79%) of employees surveyed feel that they are taken for granted by their manager.

Further, one-third said they rarely or never receive praise from their manager; while even fewer, 25%, rarely or never receive praise from their colleagues.

To examine employee sentiments toward their professional life and the dynamics of different employee types, more than 1,000 US-based workers were surveyed by Zety in July 2023, providing insights into the role of receiving praise, perceived workplace strengths and weaknesses, and attitudes to making personal sacrifices for a successful career. 

While the survey respondents were based in the US, HRO believes the findings would be relevant to our readers across the Asia Pacific region. 

Interestingly, the study found that not being recognised enough seems to have a negative impact on employees’ assessment of their work as well – less than four in 10 (38%) of participants feel proud of their professional achievements in such instances.

When asked about their greatest workplace strength, respondents identified the following: 

• Self-discipline – 33%
• Creativity – 32%
• Leadership skills – 30%
• High ambition – 28%
• Reliability – 28%
• Communication skills – 28%
• Company loyalty – 24%
• Persistence – 20%
• Proactive attitude – 20%
• Adaptability to changing circumstances – 16%

On the other hand, when reflecting on their greatest workplace weaknesses, respondents named:

• Giving up easily – 33%
• Sensitivity to criticism – 30%
• Reluctance to take risks – 28%
• Lack of willingness to learn – 28%
• Poor leadership skills – 27%
• Impatience – 27%
• Poor adaptability skills – 24%
• Negative perfectionism – 22%
• Poor interpersonal skills – 21%
• Not standing up for myself – 15%

With this understanding, managers and colleagues can play a part in potentially strengthening these areas through praise, it was highlighted.

Still not to be forgotten, 65% of respondents claimed they would prefer to receive regular feedback, including improvement areas, over regular praise (35%).

Work motivation

Overall, work enjoyment (26%), financial reasons (20%), and personal ambition (20%) were chosen as the top motivational factors for employees.

The full list is as follows:

• Work enjoyment – 26%
• Financial reasons – 20%
• Personal ambition – 20%
• Family reasons – 19%
• Promotion opportunities – 18%
• Having a positive atmosphere in the workplace – 15%
• Stability of employment – 15%
• Sense of job meaningfulness – 13%
• Emotional attachment to the company – 13%
• Desire to progress in my career – 13%
• Being recognised for my work – 11%
• Other – 2%

Separately, cited in the survey, Quantum Workplace’s 2023 Employee Engagement Trends Report on employee trends revealed a lack of recognition as one of the top three reasons people leave their jobs. Conversely, employees who believe they are recognised are 2.7 times more likely to be highly engaged.

Lastly, the study revealed that the vast majority of the respondents would go far for a successful career. In fact, they would sacrifice their personal values (77%), mental health (77%), and even their romantic relationship/marriage (75%). Additionally:

• 55% would choose doing meaningful work over earning a lot of money (45%).
• 72% would choose job satisfaction over job prestige (28%).

ALSO READ:

• Increasing the frequency of employee recognition to monthly could boost engagement by 40%
• HR's guide: The best ways to provide rewards & recognition to employees
• Employee recognition guide: 15 messages to appreciate your employees for their hard work

Lead image / Zety