Recognition, belonging and the power of connection – recognising the power of workplace friendships

Our colleagues at Innecto recently published an article on recognition, and the importance of connection in the workplace. It’s a known fact – when we feel an association, human behaviours change. When the government published its Get Britain Working Whitepaper in November 2024, it revealed some stark truths: 2.8 million people are out of work due to long-term sickness, with mental health accounting for a quarter of the rise among 16 - 49 year-olds between 2019 and 2022.

The figures underline something we’ve long known at Hapi - friendship and connection don’t appear on a balance sheet, but they’re essential to culture, wellbeing, and retention.

Connection and Psychological Safety

The pandemic shifted expectations of how, when and where people work. For many, flexible models have been positive. But for others, less engagement and fewer friendships have led to anxiety, absence and disconnection.

That’s why Psychological Safety matters. It’s about employees feeling free to ask questions, make mistakes, and be themselves. One of the simplest ways to build this is by nurturing workplace friendships, and on way to remind us of this value is the International Day of Friendship on 30th July.

Recognition as a Driver of Culture

Recognition is a proven way to motivate and engage. A simple ‘thank you’ - whether from a leader, a manager or a peer builds confidence and trust. Especially in times when pay rises aren’t possible, recognition can reward effort, persistence and achievement in a way that reflects company culture.

Recognition doesn’t have to be big or expensive. It can be a voucher, a coffee, a rota swap, a LinkedIn endorsement or an e-card. Or perhaps it’s recognising a colleague or peer through a platform like Hapi. What matters is that it’s visible, consistent, authentic, and accessible to everyone, whether the workers are office based, hybrid, remote or deskless.

At Hapi, we’ve seen first-hand that recognition not only drives retention, but also it encourages the friendships and connections that create happier, more resilient workforces.

Building a Recognition Strategy

If you’re starting from scratch, here’s where to begin:

1. Align with culture – define the behaviours and results worth recognising.
2. Plan delivery – decide your budget, model (peer-to-peer, manager-led) and how recognition will reach everyone. Embedding it in a platform like Hapi ensures speed, visibility, and impact.
3. Set clear processes – make recognition transparent, fair, and part of someone’s KPIs.
4. Communicate – brand your scheme, promote it, and keep engagement high.

Beyond Box-Ticking Wellness

Employees want more than token wellness initiatives - they want to feel valued, connected and supported. Recognition and workplace friendship are practical, powerful ways to deliver that. The payoff? Lower absenteeism, higher productivity, and stronger loyalty.

So. whilst it feels a long way away, the question is: will you have a strategy in place before the next International Friendship Day on 30th July 2026?

For more information on how a recognition scheme could benefit your business, get in touch with our team today.

Holly Coe is a Senior Reward Consultant at Innecto.