A recent survey by the American Psychological Association (APA) found that employees who feel valued at work are more likely to report better mental and physical health including higher levels of engagement, satisfaction, and motivation. This is compared to those who do not feel valued at work by their employers. The study was conducted online between January 12 and 19, 2012 on behalf of the APA by Harris Interactive. It included 1,714 adults aged 18-plus who reside in the United States and are full-time or part-time employees, or self-employed.
Drum roll please…and the results are:
Ninety-three percent (93%) of participants who reported feeling valued said they are motivated to do their best at work. Additionally 88% reported feeling engaged. This is in comparison to the 33 % and 38% respectively, who reported they did not feel valued. Among the participants that reported feeling valued, just one in five, or 21%, intend to look for a new job in the next year as opposed to the 50% who said they do not feel valued. There are a number of factors that were linked to the feeling of being undervalued at work which include:
- Few opportunities for decision-making involvement
- Dissatisfaction with the lack of potential for growth and advancement
- Few opportunities to use flexible work options
- Inadequate monetary compensation
- Inadequate non-monetary rewards
According to the American Psychological Association, some employers have seized the opportunity to create a healthy workplace culture where employees and the organization can thrive. On Saturday March 10th the APA held its 7th annual Psychologically Healthy Workplace Awards ceremony. The APA recognized employers who understand the link between employee well-being and organizational performance. The employer’s who were honored had low employee turnover rates of just 11%. The national average as estimated the U.S. Department of Labor is 36%. According to the APA the awards are designed to recognize organizations for their efforts to foster employee well-being while enhancing organizational performance. “The 2012 Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award winners have implemented programs and policies that enhance functioning for both employee and employer,” says Norman B. Anderson, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of the APA.
The employers who won the distinction and received awards are Noble-Davis Consulting (Ohio), ReMed Recovery Care Centers (Pennsylvania), Certified Angus Beef (Ohio), College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia and Coconino County (Arizona). Additionally, there were nine organizations that received Best Practices Honors for a single program or policy that contributes to a psychologically healthy work environment while meeting the needs of the employees and organization as a whole. The honorees are Chimes Delaware, Newark Vocational Facility (Delaware), Cross Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus (Arkansas), Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Northwest (Oregon), Koinonia Homes (Ohio), Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, LSS Financial Counseling Service (Minnesota) and Orion Associates (Minnesota).
Congratulations are in order for all of the winners!
To learn more about creating a psychologically healthy workplace or for those organizations who wish to apply for an award in their state, province or territory information can be obtained by visiting the Psychologically Healthy Workplace Program at http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/phwa/index.aspx