WHAT CAN BOSSES DO?
Studies show that happy employees increase a company's success and positively impact the bottom line. Following are some tips managers can use to ensure their employees feel valued. According to Maritz, a leading provider of employee reward and recognition programs, bosses should:

• Offer Employee Reward Options
  
  Two-thirds of employees think their company needs to offer a greater choice of rewards in its recognition efforts, according to a Maritz poll of 1,002 full-time employees.
  
  
• Identify What's Meaningful to Your Employees
  
  Managers should spend time with each employee to determine how they are best motivated. Do they like to be publicly or privately praised? From whom do they like to receive recognition? What type of reward best motivates them? Then check in periodically to make sure recognition efforts are hitting the mark. Companies can also conduct employee surveys to obtain the same type of information about their overall workforce. But that should be coupled with managers making a personal effort to understand what drives each person.
  
  
• Keep Recognition Programs Fresh
  
  Involving people from different levels and different parts of the company on an advisory council is one way to bring new ideas and enthusiasm to employee recognition efforts. Sixty percent of employees agree or strongly agree that their company needs to refresh its program with new and different awards.
  
  
• Train Managers on Recognition Best Practices
  
  One of the main responsibilities of managers is motivating employees to higher levels of performance. Yet, many have not received any kind of training on how to make the most of their recognition efforts.
  
  
• Recognize All Levels of Employees
  
  Make sure that everyone has a chance to receive meaningful recognition. Sometimes, certain positions are recognized, while others are ignored. Make sure that management recognizes the importance of everyone's contributions.
  
  
• Develop a Peer-Recognition Program
  
  While peer-to-peer recognition may not be as powerful as management recognition, it helps build a strong work culture. Peers work more productively with one another when they sense sincere appreciation from their colleagues for their contributions.