Achievers Workforce Institute (AWI), the research division of Achievers, a global leader in employee recognition and rewards software, has unveiled the four most under-recognized industries for 2024. Based on insights from the 2024 State of Recognition Report, these industries include Health & Medicine, Retail, Hospitality & Tourism, Manufacturing, and Transportation. AWI highlights that regular employee recognition significantly boosts belonging, productivity, and engagement. However, fewer than half of the workers in these industries receive recognition at the essential monthly benchmark, negatively affecting employee morale and organizational performance.
Key Insights from the Report
- Recognition and Belonging Correlation
- Employees who are recognized monthly report 2.5x greater belonging.
- Regular recognition doubles productivity and engagement.
- The Impact on Essential Industries
- These industries comprise essential workers whose efforts underpin societal functioning.
- The lack of recognition is not only a company-level problem but a societal challenge.
Industries Most Affected by Lack of Recognition
- Health & Medicine
- Under-recognized Employees: 58%
- Workers are 40% more likely to report never being recognized and 56% more likely to lack bonuses.
- Least likely industry to recommend their workplace as a great place to work.
- Retail, Hospitality & Tourism
- Under-recognized Employees: 54%
- 37% more likely to never receive recognition and 33% less likely to feel acknowledged by managers.
- Lowest industry for long-term career commitment and second-to-last in fostering belonging.
- Transportation
- Under-recognized Employees: 50%
- 42% less likely to feel managerial recognition and 38% less likely to trust their manager.
- Ranks lowest across industries for managerial recognition rates and trust levels.
- Manufacturing
- Under-recognized Employees: 55%
- 18% less likely to feel meaningful recognition from managers.
- While annual bonuses are common, they fail to significantly improve productivity and belonging.
Expert Perspectives
- David Bator, Managing Director of AWI
- Stressed the societal importance of these industries and the urgency of addressing their underappreciation.
- Urged HR leaders to prioritize recognition in people strategies for 2025, emphasizing high-frequency, low-cost recognition practices.
Underappreciation in Health & Medicine, Retail, Hospitality & Tourism, Manufacturing, and Transportation has led to lower productivity, engagement, and employee trust. HR leaders are encouraged to focus on frequent, meaningful recognition to enhance employee experience and drive organizational success in 2025.
