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While You Were Out

Many managers overlook an important recognition opportunity when employees return to work after being ill for a few days or longer. These employees are often greeted with hundreds of e-mail messages, but not one message indicating that anyone really cares. All of the messages tend to be all business. A little recognition at this point costs nothing, and yet it is quite meaningful.

A manager can make a major difference by taking a minute or two to send the returning employee an e-mail or meet with him or her to say, “Welcome back. We missed you.” With these few words, the employee feels appreciated, valued, and important to the company.

When employees return to work after being sick and hear nothing from their manager, they tend to think the worst, and that certainly does not bring out their best.