There are dozens of studies showing the positive effect recognising and rewarding your employees has on driving office engagement and boosting morale.
It may seem simple but the bottom line is, acknowledging hard work makes employees happy: a recent survey from the Society for Human Resource Management found a strong connection between recognition and job satisfaction, with 70% of staff who received gratitude for their good work saying they were happy with their job (this figure dropped to 39% among employees who hadn't received recognition). And a report by the University of Warwick found happy employees are, on average, 12% more productive than their less-happy counterparts.
Having a positive outlook can also make workers more independent and adaptive to stressful situations and, according to the 2016 WorkHuman Research Institute Spring report, will make staff want to contribute more to your business. The study found that 79% of employees say recognition makes them work harder and 78% say it makes them more productive.
Conversely, research shows unmotivated, unrewarded staff can cost your business in more ways than you think, through lower productivity, sick days, decreased loyalty and customer service and higher turnover.
But despite this growing body of evidence, employee recognition isn't as common as it should be – business managers and owners are busy, and often don't understand why it's so vital to a thriving workplace, or how simple it can be to implement effective solutions.
Keeping your employees happy takes commitment and creativity but it's well worth the effort. Here are some tips on how to ensure your staff feel valued and motivated just by using the points accumulated in your Qantas Business Rewards account, saving you time and money in the process:
1. Give recognition with a personalised touch
While providing suitable monetary compensation to your staff is an important way to recognise their skills and day-to-day contributions, a number of studies show cash rewards can be too generic when it comes to ongoing motivation. A 2016 survey by Aon Hewitt and O.C. Tanner found that among millennial employees, the most preferred form of recognition was, in fact, a simple handwritten note from their employer. Penning your thanks in a keepsake journal from Qantas Store, for example, is a lasting way to show your appreciation and a memory your employee will be reminded of every time they use their notebook. You can use points accumulated in your Qantas Business Rewards account to make the purchase online.
2. Offer different rewards
Getting a bonus or salary increase will definitely make someone's day. But recent studies have shown maintaining office satisfaction and productivity over a longer period of time requires more than a cash-focused solution. In fact, research by Globoforce found staff who receive regular small rewards are eight times more engaged than those who receive compensation and bonuses once a year. Put real thought into the perks and rewards you intend to offer to demonstrate you're as committed to your employees as they are to your business.
If you know your employee is an avid foodie, why not use points accumulated in your Qantas Business Rewards account for a Good Food gift card through Qantas Store so they can then redeem at their favourite restaurant? Or if you know they love to cook, give them a helping hand with a pizza maker, cookware or cookbook – there are dozens available to inspire at Qantas Store.
Redeem points on Myer or Country Road gift cards for employees who have a penchant for fashion (they'll also love the range of fragrances and beauty gift sets available) or Bunnings and Barbeques Galore gift cards for staff who are great at getting hands-on around the house. Treat your office health and wellness fanatic to a luxurious facial, massage or body scrub at Endota Spa using points or consider giving the office movie buff a gift card they can redeem to see the latest blockbusters.
Every office has a wine enthusiast – the one person who intimately knows the Barossa from Bordeaux. Do a little research and use points to pick the perfect drop from Qantas Wine, known for its incredible selection of high-quality wine, spirits and artisanal produce, hand-selected by a panel of in-the-know gourmands.
There's nothing quite like a holiday to recharge staff batteries and boost office spirits. Use points accumulated in your Qantas Business Rewards account to redeem for Qantas flights for an employee who needs a break with their family – or upgrade them when you know they need a good night's sleep on their long-haul flight.
Make sure it's a trip to remember by giving them all the stylish tools they need to get there, using points to purchase suitcases and carry-on bags, travel accessories, travel guides or even hotel rooms for when they touch down.
3. Promote teambuilding
Personalised gifts, rewards and incentives are great but they only hold real meaning if they come from employers who make staff feel part of a team. Building a corporate culture that not only recognises good work and behaviour with perks and words of encouragement but that also provides a setting where people can be heard lets staff take ownership of their work and gives them an opportunity to grow in their career and on a personal level.
Did you know that you can use points accumulated in your Qantas Business Rewards account to book skydiving experiences for your team? The only hitch is you'll have to lead the pack jumping out of the plane. It will be worth it – studies show a hit of adrenalin can provide people with the needed gear to perform tasks more effectively. Qantas Store also offers a few less-adventurous ways to get your team bonding as well. You can use points to "jungle surf" (aka zipline) around Cape Tribulation, learn how to make gourmet sausages or the perfect cup of coffee, find out how to stay on a surfboard or have experts accompany you and staff on a wine and cheese tasting.
You'll not only get to know your employees better but will build positive relationships that will resonate throughout the company for months to come.
4. Kit out a productive workplace
Cutting back on, or providing ill-thought-out, office supplies and equipment has been shown to reduce office morale, productivity and loyalty, making many staff feel devalued in the process. There are reasons why The Toms office in Los Angeles comes with a slide, motivational signs, space for staff pets and natural wood elements that nod to the outdoors, and why Google offices feature beanbag chairs and chill-out areas with video game facilities – keeping employees relaxed and providing the tools to maintain a healthy perspective is an investment in your business's future.
Ensuring your office is well stocked and conducive to creativity doesn't have to impact your business' bottom line. You can save money by using points accumulated in your Qantas Business Rewards account on a wide variety of office essentials, from tea and coffee through Qantas Wine to kettles, coffee machines, glassware and microwaves from Qantas Shopping.This site is also a one-stop-shop when it comes to electronic equipment, not only saving you money but also time when it comes to updating your business portfolio of technology, whether it's the latest mobile phones for staff on-the go, desktop and laptop computers, cameras, printers or office speakers.
It's also important to make sure employees are equally well supported while travelling for work, whether to meet clients, suppliers and customers or to attend training and events. You can save money and use points accumulated in your Qantas Business Rewards account to ensure your staff get to their destination safely and comfortably by redeeming for Qantas flights online using a Classic Reward Booking. At their destination, whether domestic or international, points can also be used to check in to a vast range of accommodation through Qantas Hotels, as well as allow you to cut back on costs when it comes to hiring cars through Avis and Budget.
Redeeming your business' Qantas Points is as easy as logging in to your Qantas Business Rewards account and going to Transfer Points and transferring the points needed to any Qantas Frequent Flyer account, then simply redeeming online for any of the items mentioned above and many more! You can also transfer points by contacting our dedicated Qantas Business Rewards Service Centre on 13 74 78, Mon to Sat 7am to 7pm AEST.
Qantas would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the local lands and waterways on which we live, work and fly. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.