6 Excuses to Not Recognize Your Employees

As a manager, recognizing and rewarding your employees for their hard work and achievements is essential to maintaining a motivated and productive workforce.

However, not all managers prioritize employee recognition, and many even make excuses to avoid acknowledging their team's accomplishments.

Whether you're a seasoned manager or new to leadership, understanding the importance of employee recognition and avoiding common excuses can help you build a more engaged and effective team.

6 Excuses Managers Give to Not Recognize Their Employees

1. "I don't have time for recognition."

Some managers may feel that they are too busy with other tasks and responsibilities to prioritize recognition.

However, taking a few minutes to acknowledge and thank employees for their hard work can have a big impact on morale and motivation.

All managers and supervisors at Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida, are provided tokens inscribed with the words “Thank You” to use as an on-the-spot form of recognition, which takes only a moment to do, for any employee caught demonstrating one of the organization’s core values.

2. "Recognition is not in my job description."

Some managers may feel that their primary responsibility is to achieve results and meet targets, rather than recognizing employees. Yet, recognizing and rewarding employees for their contributions is a key part of effective management and can help drive better results.

For example, a vice president of AAA of Southern California personally writes thanks to individuals in field offices, demonstrating to all managers under him that if he can find time to acknowledge employees, they need to do so as well.

3. "I don't know how to recognize employees."

Some managers may not be familiar with effective recognition strategies and may feel unsure about how to recognize employees in a meaningful way.

There are many resources available to help managers learn and develop their recognition skills.

At the Boston-area branches of Bank of America, managers give employees a blank index card on their first day of work and ask them to make a list of the things that motivate them. The manager ends up with an individualized checklist for every employee.

4. "Recognition is not necessary because employees are just doing their job."

Some managers may feel that recognizing employees is unnecessary because they are simply doing their job. However, even if employees are meeting expectations, acknowledging, and rewarding their efforts can help maintain a positive and engaged workplace culture.

Employees who feel praised/valued often go on to achieve beyond expectations. They are the ones with the highest level of motivation, productivity, and morale. Recognition builds loyalty in the employees and improves employee retention.

Employees who feel appreciated are more likely to stay with the organization in the long run and develops good communication between employer and employees.

5. "Recognition is too expensive."

Some managers may feel that recognizing employees requires expensive rewards or incentives. Yet, recognition can take many forms, from a simple thank you note to a public shoutout and does not always require a financial investment.

If you are worried about cost, the KISS method is always the best approach with recognizing your employees.

6. "Recognition can lead to complacency."

Some managers may worry that recognizing employees can lead to complacency or a lack of motivation. However, when recognition is given for specific accomplishments or contributions, it can serve as a motivator for continued success and improvement.

For example, a manager at the Hyatt Corporation asked her employees at a staff meeting what ideas they had for increasing recognition. One of the employees suggested that the department rotate the responsibility for recognition throughout the group so that each week one person would be responsible for finding an individual or group achievement and then recognizing it in some way of their own choosing.

Creativity flourished; recognition skyrocketed as employees were empowered to be an integral part of the process.

Dr. Bob Nelson’s doctoral research conveyed 99.4% of employees expect to be recognized when they do something positive.

Employee Recognition Needs to Be a Priority and It Doesn’t Have to Be Difficult

While some managers may have excuses for not recognizing their employees, these reasons are often based on misconceptions or outdated beliefs about what motivates employees.

For example, some managers may assume that offering financial incentives is the only way to motivate their team, but research has shown that non-financial rewards, such as public recognition and opportunities for growth and development, can be just as effective.

By making employee recognition a priority at your organization, you can create a more positive and supportive workplace culture that fosters employee engagement and retention. You can also demonstrate to your team that you value their contributions and are committed to their success, which can help build trust and loyalty over time.

Investing in employee recognition can have a significant impact on your organization's bottom line by improving productivity, reducing turnover costs, and fostering a more positive and productive workplace environment. So, even if some of your managers have excuses for not recognizing their staff, it's important to prioritize this critical aspect of leadership and help your team succeed.