Using recognition to foster employee engagement at Rimbey Family and Community Support Services

Abstract

This action-oriented research thesis was informed by the action research engagement model (Rowe et al., 2013) to address the inquiry question: How can recognition efforts foster engagement amongst the health care aides at Rimbey Family and Community Support Services? Arts-based research, focus group, and interview methods were used to collect qualitative data. Four themes emerged: the need for a sense of belonging, meaningful work, feeling valued, and individualized recognition. The following conclusions arose from the inquiry: individualized recognition can enhance a sense of belonging, meaningful work resulted in feeling valued, and trusting relationships are essential. Recommendations included building engagement through individualized recognition that promotes a sense of belonging, utilizing staff interests and strengths to design work assignments, nurturing trusting relationships, and incorporating characteristics of love-led leadership into leader practices. How relationships build engagement and the impact of love-led leadership on recruitment and retention arose as areas for further study.