Over the past few years, the relationship between employers and employees has been rocky. Seven out of ten employees want their companies to do more to engage and treat them fairly. They want to be seen as more than a number and be recognized as the unique, whole individuals they are.

Because of this, more and more workers are becoming disengaged. Each year, businesses lose trillions of dollars in productivity because of a lack of employee motivation. Since 2020, many workers have left their industries or changed professions because they sought better treatment than they were getting.

But surveys have shown that employees are more likely to stay with the organization and feel increased job satisfaction when they receive positive encouragement and acknowledgment.

In our experience working on and creating design campaigns for organizations, we’ve observed a few businesses that use design to give their employees the recognition they deserve. They’re humanizing the relationship between themselves and their most valuable asset—their team.

Showing the reality of employees & supply chain contractors

Whether you’re selling physical products or producing digital applications, their creation doesn’t happen in a bubble. Tens, hundreds, and sometimes thousands of people can be involved in developing, producing, and delivering a product. Since the pace of production is usually lightning-fast, it’s easy to forget how these people contribute to the final result consumers receive.

Apple released a 2021 report titled People and Environment in Our Supply Chain, highlighting the company’s initiatives to support members of their global network.

Each page gives an inside look at the impact of their environmental and labor practices over the past decade. They created infographics simplifying all of this information into an understandable, digestible format.

But this document shines in how it discusses the delicate balance between businesses and contractors. Apple’s report uses case studies to show how the actions of employees and contractors in their supply chain align with their own values. And when a supplier’s procedures conflict with Apple’s principles, the company addresses them directly.

In one case, when searching for a new supplier, Apple discovered that one of their candidates had some unusual labor practices. The supplier’s contract workers paid recruitment fees to them. This custom was common in this part of the world but prohibited within Apple’s organization because it is essentially a “pay to play” scheme.

In an effort to protect workers’ rights, Apple told the supplier to end the policy if they wanted to work with them. Even though paying to work for a supplier was commonplace in the country, Apple used its influence to end this exploitative practice.

Apple could’ve ignored this entire situation and allowed it to continue, which would’ve affected thousands of workers. However, they chose to tackle it head-on and do what they could to acknowledge these workers, using this report to talk about it.

Showcasing local suppliers and mentoring initiatives

The Northeast grocery chain Wegmans website is a testament to their fondness and respect for their employees, who are considered “family.” Once you dive into their bright, welcoming site, they highlight the local suppliers that provide healthy, affordable food to the community. These are shown on the site as partnership pages, which display how each business benefits the other.

The supermarket chain does more than provide food to local residents. They encourage their employees to follow their passions while at the same time giving them the space to do it. The company focuses on what its diverse team brings to the table, including the story of mentorship, integrity, and career growth.

Demonstrate how much your business values its workers

Employees have more choices when deciding where to work, especially after two years of global upheaval. Companies that pay attention to the needs of their workers and communicate how much they value them find it easier to retain these essential employees.

Your website, internal communications, and external advertising are all places where it makes sense to show your love for employees. Vivid lifestyle imagery and exciting graphics add to the stories you share about your company’s workers. And those tales are what make people feel appreciated by the organization and that their work matters.