Employers who find a way to help employees each have six to 25 friends at work will have a distinct competitive edge in their marketplace. Their employees will be far more likely to love their job and will work harder if the boss recognizes their work anniversary by inviting those friends to participate in it.
This is the latest from the Fall 2014 Globoforce Workforce Mood Tracker survey. The results emerged from a survey of more than 700 employees at large U.S. corporations.
Globoforce earlier reported results of a survey that indicated that finding the right people for the right job — and getting rid of the wrong fits — improves engagement and encourages folks to stay on the job longer. This latest survey suggests that fitting the right people together on the job further enhances engagement.
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"The report's key findings reveal how vital work relationships are, and how companies can leverage this camaraderie to improve years of service awards, boost employee commitment and engagement, and improve their bottom line," Globoforce said in a release. "U.S. employees say work friends have become central to engagement, happiness, and the quality of employees' lives."
Among the study's key findings:
- 93 percent value the respect of work friends or colleagues;
- 89 percent identified work relationships as important to their quality of life;
- 64 percent of employees with between six and 25 co-worker friends love their companies;
- 24 percent who don't have that many friends at work love their companies;
- 48 percent of employees with between six and 25 friends are highly engaged;
- 28 percent with no friends at work say they are highly engaged.
Turns out recognizing someone's work anniversary can be important, too. But like a child's birthday party, employees like to celebrate with their close work friends. "Traditional anniversary celebrations paint a bleak picture; employees yearn for a more shareable and meaningful milestone experience," Globoforce reported.
The survey said:
- Employees were 28 percent more likely to feel appreciated if they work in companies where co-workers are included in their anniversary celebration;
- Employees who experienced such a celebration were 44 percent more likely to identify themselves as highly engaged;
- Respondents are more than five times more likely to find the experience emotionally moving when peers and recognition are involved in the service anniversary experience;
- 95 percent found an anniversary with emotion and recognition to be a positive experience, and were three times more likely to say it made them feel more valued;
- 59 percent of surveyed employees say traditional anniversaries change nothing at all when it comes to feelings about their company;
- 45 percent of respondents prefer anniversary celebrations that include shared memories and congratulations from co-workers and managers (more than twice as many as any other choice);
- 65 percent say shared memories and stories from co-workers would make their anniversary more meaningful;
- 72 percent would prefer recognition of career accomplishments.
"Our Fall Workforce Mood Tracker survey proves how important relationships are to our overall happiness and commitment at work," said Globoforce CEO Eric Mosley. "The current workforce is one that thrives on positive emotion. With new social technologies at the forefront, HR leaders have an opportunity to transform how employees get the emotional validation they seek for their work and tenure with a company."
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Dan Cook
Dan Cook is a journalist and communications consultant based in Portland, OR. During his journalism career he has been a reporter and editor for a variety of media companies, including American Lawyer Media, BusinessWeek, Newhouse Newspapers, Knight-Ridder, Time Inc., and Reuters. He specializes in health care and insurance related coverage for BenefitsPRO.
