Latest news with #employeeRecognition
Forbes
06-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Outsourcing Emotional Intelligence: The Tools We've Built Aren't The Tools We Need
Just a few years ago, I could have confidently started every single one of my Forbes posts by saying, 'Every reader of this post is human.' Today, I can't say that. Why? A.I. is consuming information faster than it's delivering it. So, what's my point? I recently had a conversation with a friend. She was frustrated at work. Apparently, since the advent of A.I. all communications she received from her supervisor were written by A.I. 'At first, I didn't care,' my friend told me. 'But, I just celebrated my twenty-year anniversary at the company. The recognition email I received from my boss was not sincere at all. It was obviously written by A.I.' Think about the difference between employee recognition and employee appreciation. Recognition is an action taken by a boss. Appreciation is an emotion felt by a boss. Both are necessary. So, what was actually frustrating my friend? Her manager outsourced emotional intelligence to A.I. Curious about the present and future of humankind's emotional intelligence, I decided to seek answers from an expert. CEO and Co-Founder of Six Seconds Joshua Freedman 'A.I. is already having an impact on emotional intelligence,' said Joshua Freedman, one of the world's top thought-leaders, and bestselling authors, on the concept of emotional intelligence. 'Every big tech advancement has created a huge impact on our social and emotional wellbeing. Of course, the impact changes depending on how we use the technology.' 'What made you chase the concept of emotional intelligence?' I asked Freedman on our recent video chat. Without hesitation, Freedman smiled, and responded, 'I was bad at it.' He then told me how he had spent his early career as a teacher. 'My 13 year old students seemed more emotionally intelligent than I was. As I started learning and practicing, I found it made all the difference for me, first as a teacher, then as a leader, husband, father, and person.' Fast forward to today, Joshua Freedman is the co-founder and CEO of Six Seconds, the global non-profit dedicated to teaching people how to use emotional intelligence (EQ). He owns the million-member EQ Network group on LinkedIN, and is a master certified coach. He teaches professionals all around the world practical tools to measure and create value with emotional intelligence. 'You've created quite the impact since you realized you needed to improve and understand your own emotional intelligence,' I told Freedman. 'You've helped organizations like FedEx, Qatar Airways, the US Navy, P&G, Microsoft, Intel, Amazon, HSBC, and the United Nations, use emotional intelligence to improve results. That's quite a list.' Again, Freedman smiled. 'It's so far beyond what I imagined 28 years ago,' he replied. 'I feel deeply honored to see the difference this makes in companies and in people's lives. Six Seconds' practical tools and science take emotional intelligence to the next level. When people practice emotional intelligence they improve their outcomes -- you can feel it, and you can measure it. That's why we do this. It's transformational.' Then, Freedman, a man who loves to laugh, paused. His face turned serious. 'The issue is, our data from 169 countries shows that the world is in a five-year decline of E.Q. Over that time-period, optimism dropped by 8.6%. And, for younger generations, the decline is nearly double that. I could go on with other markers. But, in short: we're in a global emotional recession with sustained declines in our capacity to connect, adapt, and move ahead.' That last statement caught my attention. A global emotional recession is a scary thought. And, it's no surprise. For the past couple years I've written numerous posts about the record-high increases in anxiety, depression, and even suicide. That matches Six Seconds' research on global emotional intelligence: rising levels of burnout, declines in empathy, trust, motivation, and increased loneliness. A perfect storm that is battering our wellbeing. 'Is A.I. contributing to this recession?' I asked. 'We're already outsourcing so much of our thinking, and even our feelings, to machines. That's only advancing. I don't think it helps to point fingers, but let's be strategic about this: As A.I. grows, we also need to grow. That's why I decided to write my new book, Emotion Rules – a practical guide to using feelings as resources. The real question is, how do we continue to improve our skills with emotions, and help others improve their emotional intelligence?' He's right. So, I asked him, 'What advice would you give individuals or leaders who want to improve emotional intelligence for themselves, their teams, or for their organizational culture?' 'You get what you measure,' replied Freedman. 'Many leaders overly rely on traditional intelligence, or I.Q., yet now machines have higher I.Q. than most people. We need to shift our focus to Emotional Intelligence (E.Q.) The great news is that E.Q. and I.Q. can work together so we can see and solve the challenges we're facing. I work with a lot of very smart people, and when they take the emotional intelligence assessment and see that EQ is actually logical, measurable, and practical, they love it.' According to Six Seconds, here's how practice emotional intelligence: Step 1: Get the Data 'Notice emotions. Name emotions. Track emotional reactions to every aspect of your life, work, relationships,' says Freedman. 'Smart people love data, and companies collect tons of it. We're also suggesting including data about your emotions, your employees emotions, or even your customers emotions. Literally, you're simply collecting emotional data. You felt something. What was it? What do you call it? How did you react to it?' Step 2: Appraise the Data 'You recorded the data on what you felt and how you reacted,' said Freedman. 'Now your job is to assess it. How did it go? Did you like your reaction and the response you got from others? What other options could you choose? We don't get to choose what happens, but we choose how we respond to it. This is about switching off autopilot and making that response more intentional.' Step 3: Connect with Purpose 'You've collected and analyzed the data,' said Freedman. 'The final step is connecting with your purpose. What is the impact you really want to have? The point is, we're having an impact every day, and when we use our emotional intelligence, we can make that impact count. It's not easy being human. It's not easy having emotions. But, when we can understand and process them, emotions can actually help us become the best spouse, the best parent, the best friend, employee, leader we can be. When used well, emotions literally give us energy to change, grow and thrive.' As we concluded our conversation, I circled back to my friend's story. 'Any advice for my friend?' I asked. 'Her feelings matter. They're messages to help her navigate a difficult situation. Now she can use emotional intelligence to move forward.'
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Robert Half Named One of The Best Places to Work in the Bay Area
Company recognized as a top workplace in the Bay Area by the San Francisco Business Times, Silicon Valley Business Journal and Fortune MENLO PARK, Calif., June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Global talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half (NYSE: RHI) has been recognized as one of the 2025 Bay Area Best Places to Work by the San Francisco Business Times and the Silicon Valley Business Journal. Nominees were selected based on scores obtained from an independent survey of workers in the Bay Area. The featured companies are those whose employees rated them highest on key factors, including compensation and benefits, collaborative culture, and management practices. "Receiving this recognition—driven by employee feedback—is an honor and a reflection of our people-first workplace culture," said Lynne Smith, senior vice president of global human resources at Robert Half. "We're dedicated to helping our employees reach their full potential; feel valued and supported; and grow meaningful, long-term careers—reflecting the qualities that make Robert Half a great place to work." Robert Half was also recently named among the Fortune Best Workplaces in the Bay Area 2025 by Great Places to Work®. About Robert HalfRobert Half (NYSE: RHI) is the world's first and largest specialized talent solutions and business consulting firm, connecting highly skilled job seekers with rewarding opportunities at great companies. We offer contract talent and permanent placement solutions in the fields of finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support, and we also provide executive search services. Robert Half is the parent company of Protiviti®, a global consulting firm that delivers internal audit, risk, business and technology consulting solutions. In the past 12 months, Robert Half, including Protiviti, has been named one of the Fortune® Most Admired Companies™ and 100 Best Companies to Work For. Explore talent solutions, research and insights at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Robert Half
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Workplace Injuries Are Reduced with Employee Appreciation
Research finds that employee recognition can decrease workplace injuries among French workers by up to 50% LOUGHTON, England, June 10, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Latest research reveals that frequently recognising employees for their efforts and achievements can decrease the likelihood of workplace injuries among French workers by up to 50%. This is a key finding from O.C. Tanner's 2025 Global Culture Report which gathered data and insights from 38,075 workers from 27 countries including 1,208 from France. The report highlights how feeling unappreciated worsens mental health and this then increases the likelihood of workplace accidents. Robert Ordever, European MD of O.C. Tanner explains: "There's a clear link between deteriorating mental health and greater instances of workplace injuries, with mental illness often leading to decreased concentration, reduced cognitive function, and impaired decision-making abilities. Workers struggling with their mental health have their condition worsened when they feel unappreciated by their managers and colleagues." The Report highlights how regularly recognising employees for their efforts and achievements, not only improves workers' wellbeing, but noticeably reduces the odds of them reporting a workplace accident. Employees suffering from burnout are 50% less likely to have a workplace accident when their organisation has a formal recognition programme in place. For those workers with probable depression, their odds of reporting a workplace accident are 11% when their organisation is WITHOUT a recognition programme. For workers with probable depression but WITH a recognition programme in place, their odds of reporting a workplace accident are reduced to just 8%. Ordever says, "Implementing a recognition programme that allows all employees to regularly express gratitude to colleagues, not only reduces the likelihood of burnout, anxiety, and depression, but also cuts the number of workplace injuries. But it's important to note that having a recognition programme is not enough in itself. The organisation must champion the giving of appreciation on a daily basis, and encourage recognition that's sincere, tailored to the individual and meaningful. When the importance of recognition is understood and prioiritised, organisations can enjoy truly impactful business outcomes." About 2025 Global Culture Report The O.C. Tanner Institute uses multiple research methods to support the Global Culture Report, including interviews, focus groups, cross-sectional surveys, and a longitudinal survey. Qualitative findings came from 27 focus groups among employees, leaders, and HR practitioners of larger organisations. About O.C. Tanner O.C. Tanner is the global leader in personalised employee recognition solutions that improve workplace cultures so people feel appreciated, do their best work, and stay. Its Culture Cloud is a suite of apps and solutions, including recognition, service awards, wellbeing, leadership, and celebrations that help people thrive at work. O.C. Tanner provides these and other services for thousands of the most respected companies in the world. For more information visit View source version on Contacts Liz Boote, Loudhailer PR E: T: +44(0)7795 362727 Sign in to access your portfolio
Trade Arabia
30-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Bahrain Airport Services honours over 160 top employees
Bahrain Airport Services recently celebrated the dedication and long-standing commitment of over 160 of its staff members at the Annual Employee Long Service Award Ceremony held in the kingdom. The event, held at the Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain, was organised to honour employees who had completed 10 to 35 years of service at the organization, demonstrating exceptional loyalty and professionalism in their work, said a statement from BAS. It was attended by BAS Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Mohamed Khalil Ahmed, along with members of its trade union. This annual initiative reflects BAS's continued commitment to cultivating a culture of recognition, gratitude, and long-term employee engagement, while celebrating the strong relationships built across decades of service, it stated. Speaking on the occasion, Khalil Ahmed said: "We are proud to recognise our long-serving team members whose dedication has been instrumental to the company's progress and achievements." "Their steadfast loyalty and contributions reflect the core values that define BAS," he stated. Lauding the employees for their exceptional service, Khalil Ahmed said: "BAS remains committed to empowering its people through ongoing development and engagement programmes, recognising that a motivated and capable workforce is an essential driver of innovation, operational excellence, and sustainable success."
Daily Mail
29-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Employer blasted for 'insulting' gift they gave to employee as reward for working 40 years: 'That's genuinely so sad'
An employer has come under fire online after marking a supermarket employee's 40 years of service with just 40 sausage rolls - one for each shift over the coming weeks. Kevin Parsons, 56, has worked at the Alliance supermarket in Guernsey since 1984, and bosses chose to recognise his four decades of dedication with a certificate, a tropical-themed mural for his home and a sausage roll for every upcoming shift. While Kevin was gracious in receiving the gifts, and posed up a storm with his employer, many people branded the gift 'insulting'. 'Words can't express my appreciation,' he said at a ceremony held in-store on Monday, surrounded by colleagues and management. 'It's been a long 40 years but I've loved every minute of it.' Reflecting on his time at the supermarket, Kevin added that prospective employees would need roller skates to match his pace, the BBC reported. Chris Fish, chairman of Alliance, praised Kevin's work ethic and contributions to the community. He called him an 'exemplary' worker since the start of his career with the company, adding that Kevin consistently tries to assist in any way he can. Chris commended Kevin's community work and 'valuable' efforts to raise money for charity. Commercial director Laura Golden said the response to their Facebook post celebrating Kevin's milestone showed just how adored he is. The company values everyone as 'the same', said Laura, and praised Kevin's representation of the independent retailer's values. However, the public reaction to the celebration, particularly the sausage rolls, was far less glowing. Popular social media page Pubity posted about the incident on Instagram, and followers didn't hold back. 'That's genuinely so sad,' one person wrote. Another commented sarcastically: 'Can't wait for the 40 year bonus! I'm sure they'll do everything they can to show their appreciation for serving half my life here!' The tone across the comment section was one of disbelief and disappointment. 'Seriously? That's how you honour 40 years of loyalty? No wonder people nowadays do not take jobs seriously. 'Instead, focus on yourself and work on your higher goals,' wrote one user. The gap between Kevin's commitment and the perceived lacklustre reward didn't go unnoticed. One commenter said: 'You helped me sell 400,000 sausages over 40 years and I earned millions. 'Here's your share of 40 sausages.' Others accused the company of being stingy, with one follower writing: 'They're trying to give him a heart attack to not pay retirement.' Another said: 'This company didn't deserve his determination and work ethic. 'A shame that he wasted 40 years in a business that disrespected him.' While Kevin may be a beloved figure within the store, the online response has made it clear that the public feels his loyalty deserved more than pastry. Heartbroken internet users rushed to Kevin's defence, shocked at his apparently meagre gift In fact, almost a third of British workers don't receive a single present from their bosses when they retire, according to research. A study of 2,000 retirees revealed that 31 per cent of people were not given a leaving gift. Another seven per cent did slightly better - at least they got a 'sorry you're leaving' card. The average retirement gift is worth just £2.17 for every year of work, according to the survey by Skipton Building Society. Most retirees can expect a gift worth around £101.89 when they call time on their career - equivalent to just £2.17 for each year of the average 47-year working lifetime. Gift vouchers and flowers are the most common retirement gifts - while some workers had to settle for 'an invite to the office Christmas party'. Rebecca Willey, of the Skipton Building Society, said: 'After years of working, particularly if you have done a long term with the same company, most would expect a nice gift, or something special to wave them off into their retirement. 'But in reality, it seems that the gift you receive is nothing compared to the time and effort you have put into working over the years. 'And there are worryingly large number of people are lucky to receive a card at the most.' Gift vouchers are the most popular choice, followed by a bunch of flowers, a personalised gift and something for their home. But some lucky workers received a night away, tickets to a Formula One event and an all-expenses paid party.
