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1 in 2 Employees Want More Meaningful Feedback and Recognition at Work

Written by Jessica McBride | Jun 8, 2023 12:00:00 PM

Quantum Workplace Research Shows Employees Who Receive More Feedback Are 3X Less Likely To Seek Other Jobs. 

OMAHA, Neb. — 1 in 2 employees want more feedback about their performance and are 3X less likely to job search when they have that feedback, according to research by Quantum Workplace, a leading employee success platform, as well as the leader in data collection for the nationally recognized Best Places to Work Programs.  

Key highlights of the research include: 

  • 1 in 2 employees want more feedback about their performance. Managers and senior leaders are more likely to say they want more feedback. Employees who are not highly engaged are more likely to say they want more feedback. This could explain why their engagement is lower.  
  • Employees are 2X more engaged, 3X less likely to apply or seek other jobs, and 1.4X more likely to stay when they receive more frequent feedback. The ROI on increasing feedback is tremendous. Providing input frequently can build employees’ engagement and retention. 
  • 1 in 5 employees has never asked for feedback. Healthcare workers or those in industrial sectors are less likely to ask for feedback. 
  • 1 in 2 employees want more recognition. Managers were more likely than other employees to say they want more recognition. Employees who are not highly engaged are more likely to say they want more recognition, which could be the reason their engagement is lower. 
  • Employees are 2.1X more likely to be engaged, 2.7X less like to be job-seeking, and 1.4X more likely to stay when they receive frequent recognition. Feedback is more than just critiquing performance. Recognition is part of feedback.
“People want to be recognized for their performance-related accomplishments and the value they provide to their organizations’ success. They also want more feedback than what they’re currently getting and are usually looking for their managers and leaders to provide that feedback,” Quantum Workplace Lead Researcher Shane McFeely said. “What does our research tell us? Feedback and recognition are pillars of employee engagement – they bridge the gap between individual effort and team success. When leaders create a culture of feedback and recognition, employee engagement and organizational success will follow.” 

Based on the findings, Quantum Workplace experts recommend increasing meaningful feedback and recognition across the organization and measuring what employees need through feedback techniques such as annual employee engagement surveys and 1-on-1 conversations between managers and their teams. 

The data in this study is informed by an opt-in sample of almost 1,500 employees across the U.S. derived from the Best Places to Work contest. 

Read more about feedback and recognition in Quantum Workplace’s Creating a Culture of Feedback and Recognition.