99% of employers say recognition is critical, but half admit they’re falling short

Gratitude is at the heart of Thanksgiving, and in the workplace, employee recognition is its closest cousin. Nearly all U.S. hiring managers (99%) believe recognizing employees for their work is important, and more than half (53%) say it’s “absolutely essential,” according to a new Express Employment Professionals -Harris Poll survey. Yet 45% admit they don’t have the resources to manage recognition effectively.

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Employee recognition isn’t just seasonal, it’s strategic year-round.

Nearly 9 in 10 employers (89%) agree it’s a competitive advantage, and 93% say it significantly boosts loyalty. Leadership understands the stakes:

85% believe recognition helps reduce turnover

82% are willing to invest in recogniti