By Leah Conway –
A recent survey in the UK has revealed a clear gender gap in workplace recognition. It has shown that women receive less recognition and gifts than men in workplaces. The lack of recognition is making a quarter of workers in Britain search for new jobs.
The lack of recognition is one strand of concerns for UK businesses, aspects such as furloughs, redundancies and Brexit have also impacted staff shortages. Staff shortages and retention are also rising concerns for UK businesses, with the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) stating that the UK’s staff shortages are the worst they have been since 1997 with a 200% increase in advertised vacancies.
Regarding retention, another survey revealed that nearly a quarter of workers were thinking of changing jobs in the next six months.
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Recent studies
ADLER, a market-leading, UK-based company that produces promotional products and business gifts, conducted a study to find out how much the difference in workplace recognition contributed to staffing shortages and the lack of employee retention. ADLER’s survey interviewed 2000 UK surrounding levels of recognition they receive at work and what impact this has on their morale.
ADLER found that nearly a third – 28% – of UK workers receive no appreciation from the companies they work for. There was a slight gender gap, with 30% of women feeling this way compared to 24% of men surveyed. It also revealed further gender gaps with women less likely to receive the following (see below) compared to their male peers.
Women | Men | |
Pay Rises | 21% | 25% |
Bonuses | 27% | 31% |
Personal Recognition | 27% | 29% |
Public Recognition | 12% | 17% |
Awards | 17% | 21% |
Gifts | 14% | 16% |
Nothing | 24% | 30% |
The impact on work-place morale
The study also researched the impact of this lack of recognition, it revealed that the lack of motivation and recognition leaders 25% of UK workers to search elsewhere for jobs, reduces productivity, creating negative perceptions of management and can impact poor mental health.
The survey suggests that female staff were likely to be undervalued more frequently, consequentially the imbalance suggests that women will be impacted more by the lack of recognition listed above.
However, the survey showed that 14% male respondents were more like to leave a role where they didn’t feel appreciated, compared to 13% of women.
Some employers have picked up on the expectations for appreciation and recognition and have increased financial incentives to retain and attract staff. For example, a study showed that nearly two-thirds of UK employers (67%) increased some salaries in order to compete for job-searching talent.
How do you feel about workplace recognition? How does it impact your work morale? Let us know in the comments.