The impact of gratitude in the workplace

We at TAP are great believers in the power of gratitude. It’s a simple yet transformative act, that can have a profound impact on our mental health and wellbeing.

A recent survey by the NHS Confederation stated that 9 out of 10 members were concerned about the long-term impact of COVID-19 on their staff’s wellbeing. While according to the Care Workers Charity, 51% of social care workers have considered leaving their role in the past three years because of the effect of the job on their mental health.

These are worrying statistics.

It’s no secret that being praised makes us feel good and increases feelings of self-esteem and wellbeing.

This positive effect, however, is relatively short-lived, and for praise to have a long-lasting impact on staff wellbeing, it needs to be given regularly: “Recognition is a short-term need that has to be satisfied on an ongoing basis”.

Workplaces where thanking is prevalent, have the following benefits:

• Enhanced well-being. Staff feel more valued, have greater optimism and increased energy levels.
• Better stress management. Staff become more resilient which is critical in challenging times such as now.
• Improved job satisfaction. Staff are more motivated when they feel appreciated.
• Improved patient experience. Staff are better equipped to give patients the care they need.

We’re seeing this in a number of TAP’s healthcare organisations for example United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust and The Adam Practice. TAP’s social thanking platform is complementing their existing wellbeing programmes by providing a regular way for their staff to receive messages of appreciation.

The impact of gratitude is acknowledged by Sharon Kidd, Patient Experience Manager at the Trust,

We know that when our patients say thank you to our staff that it boosts morale so much and it makes it more valuable in these very difficult times. We all know that happy patients make happy staff.

While Clare Mechen, Nurse Manager at The Adam Practice says,

It’s great to see how much the public appreciate what we are doing to keep them safe. TAP’s thanking platform is the perfect place to share their positive messages of support.

If you’d like to hear how TAP’s free-to-use thanking platform is supporting staff wellbeing at the United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust and The Adam Practice please watch TAP’s presentation at the Institute of Health and Care Management’s Workforce Wellbeing Conference: Thank & Praise - effect & impact - YouTube