Feeling Invisible at WorK? How to promote employee recognition and inclusion

Have you ever felt invisible at work? You' re not alone...

Research shows that nearly 30% of employees have felt unseen, while 27% have experienced being outright ignored.

Beyond these feelings of invisibility, many of the - invisible skills- that keep teams running smoothly - collaboration, empathy, adaptability , often go unnoticed, too.

The truth is, large organizations often don’t do a great job of recognizing individual employees. Your contributions might be impressive and valuable, but they can still slip under the radar. Even top performers who consistently go above and beyond may find that their achievements rarely get the recognition they deserve.

And that’s a huge missed opportunity.

Employee recognition is one of the most effective low-cost, high-impact ways to boost engagement and improve retention.

According to Gallup: "recognition not only boosts individual employee engagement, but it also has been found to increase productivity and loyalty to the company, leading to higher retention"

and " :

Beyond communicating appreciation and providing motivation to the recognised employee, the act of recognition also sends messages to other employees about what success looks like".

When you think back on the moments you've felt truly recognized at work, what stands out the most? Chances are, it wasn’t just about the money.

When employees were asked what kinds of recognition they remember most, we identified six themes. and the results might be surprising.

While bonuses and pay raises certainly matter, the most meaningful recognition often comes from feeling seen, valued, and trusted.

For many, it’s that public acknowledgment - receiving an award, certificate, or shoutout that reminds them their hard work is making an impact.

Others find meaning in private recognition, like a heartfelt note or one-on-one thank-you from a manager, colleague, or customer.

Acknowledging someone’s best work doesn’t just make them feel valued ; it can boost morale and motivation. An honest recognition goes a long way in keeping people engaged.

#inclusion #values #communication