May is National Recommitment Month. It’s also National Salad Month and National Mystery Month—but unlike those rather specialized observances, Recommitment Month can be a powerful tool for any employer.
Here’s the least you should know about this up-and-coming occasion, why you might choose to observe it—and how you can put it to work for your workforce.
What Is Recommitment Month, Exactly?
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a commitment is “an agreement or pledge to do something in the future,” while the prefix “re” means “again.”
In other words, National Recommitment Month is an opportunity for individuals and businesses to reflect on the goals and values they’ve previously set and rededicate themselves to achieving them.
For employers, it’s an invitation to refocus on their workforce. That may translate to reprioritizing employee engagement, recognition, training and development—whatever HR-related goals you set at the start of the year.
And there’s a very good reason to do so. The reality is, while we have the best of intentions when it comes to working toward these sweeping goals, it’s easy to be distracted by day-to-day tasks and problems. National Recommitment Month gives us the chance to start anew, pursuing a path of continuous improvement.
3 Ways to Observe National Recommitment Month
Let’s assume you want to use Recommitment Month as an opportunity to boost employee engagement…now what? Well, here’s three ways to put your objectives into action.
1. Revisit the Company’s Mission and Values
According to Gallup research, only 41% of U.S. employees know what their company actually stands for, not to mention what makes it special. Discussing your company’s mission and values with employees can help them understand not only why your success is important, but the role they play in helping you achieve it.
For example, you might share success stories of how your company has made a positive impact on customers or clients, in your local community, and within your industry. By giving employees reasons to be proud of your organization—and by aligning their work with your mission and values—they’ll feel a greater sense of connection and purpose.
2. Accelerate Training and Development Opportunities
Offering training and development opportunities not only allows workers to acquire new skills and knowledge, but improves employee engagement. That said, in many busy companies, skills training is often viewed as a “nice-to-have” that ends up taking a back seat to more urgent priorities.
If that’s the case in your organization, encourage your managers to carve out some formal training time for their team members. Your employees want reassurance that you’re invested in their career growth—and cultivating their talents is in everyone’s interest.
3. Prioritize Employee Recognition
Recognizing and rewarding employees for their hard work and achievements boosts engagement, while motivating employees to perform at increasingly higher levels. Unfortunately, studies show that, in many companies, management tends to downplay the impact employee recognition programs can have on employees.
Adding insult to injury, not all employee recognition programs are equally effective or inspirational. If you haven’t reviewed or upgraded your employee recognition program in some time, you may be due for an update. Find out what works for other companies. Ask your employees what they’d most like to see. Employee recognition is an effective performance management tool, so make sure you’re making the most of it.
If you are going to use National Recommitment Month as a springboard to making some HR improvements, let your employees in on the secret. It shows that you care—that you’re willing to invest in their futures. And it’s also a wonderful way to set a good example. Maybe you’ll inspire them to recommit to you, too!
Read our tips for connecting employees to your company mission—and learn how Namely’s talent solution can help you engage employees every single day.
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