A poll of 3,600 global employees across 13 industries found that health and medicine workers are the least recognized, posing significant risks for disengagement and turnover in this vital sector

Achievers Workforce Institute (AWI) today revealed the four most under-recognized global industries, including health & medicine, retail, hospitality & tourism, manufacturing, and transportation. AWI is the research and insights arm of Achievers, a global leader in employee recognition and reward software.

AWI’s four most under-recognized industries were identified by analyzing cross-industry data from the 2024 State of Recognition Report, which is based on responses from 3,600 employees across Australia, Canada, UK, and the USA. AWI research consistently shows that workforces that receive recognition at least monthly report 2.5 times greater belonging and double the productivity and engagement. Unfortunately, fewer than half of workers in these industries reach this essential monthly benchmark, negatively impacting employee experience and organizational success.

“Upon identifying the most under-recognized industries of 2024, one red flag stood out right away – these four industries employ large populations of essential workers,” said David Bator, Managing Director of AWI. “Their efforts are the foundation of our society. They produce, sell, and deliver our essential goods, treat us when we’re ill or injured, and keep us safe and comfortable when we’re away from home. The vast underappreciation of these workforces is not a problem for their individual companies alone – it's a major societal issue.”

The most under-recognized industries, in order:

1. Health & Medicine

Health and medicine ranked as the most overlooked industry of 2024. A striking 58% of these workers are under-recognized. These employees are also 56% more likely than average to say they don’t receive any bonus and 40% more likely to say they are never recognized. Furthermore, health and medicine workers are the least likely among all industries to recommend their company as a great place to work.

2. Retail, Hospitality & Tourism

Ranked second, recognition remains a critical challenge in the retail, hospitality, and tourism industry, with 54% of workers feeling under-recognized. These employees are 37% more likely than the average worker to report never receiving recognition at work. Managerial recognition also falls short, as these workers are 33% less likely to say their manager acknowledges them in a meaningful way. This lack of recognition may be linked to broader challenges around belonging and retention. Retail, hospitality, and tourism workers are the least likely of any industry to envision a long-term career with their current employers. Additionally, they rank second-to-last in fostering a sense of belonging, trailing only transportation.

3. Transportation

Half (50%) of transportation workers are under-recognized at work. These employees are 42% less likely than average to feel their manager acknowledges them in a meaningful way and 38% less likely to experience meaningful recognition overall. Transportation ranks lowest across industries for managerial recognition rates. Additionally, workers in this sector are 38% less likely than average to trust their manager, marking the lowest trust levels of any industry.

4. Manufacturing

Over half (55%) of manufacturing workers are under-recognized. They are also 18% less likely than average to say their manager recognizes them in a meaningful way. However, formal monetary recognition is not lacking within manufacturing, as these workers are 23% more likely than average to say they receive an annual bonus. Yet, this financial incentive does not prove to be a strong enough motivator on its own, as these workers report below average productivity and belonging rates.

“Rampant underappreciation has caused the employee experience and critical business KPIs to erode dramatically across these industries,” added Bator. “On average, workers within these four industries say they are less productive and engaged, report lower trust in their companies and managers, report a below average sense of belonging, and are less enthusiastic to show up for work each day. As HR leaders within these sectors revisit their people strategies for 2025, ensuring every employee feels seen, valued, and appreciated should top their list of objectives. Even if budgets are tight, high frequency, low monetary recognition is possible to achieve, and the ROI will be well worth the effort and investment.”

About Achievers

Achievers partners with hundreds of organizations around the world to elevate their engagement and retention strategies through our employee recognition, voice, and connection solutions.

Visit us at www.achievers.com.

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