In my opinion compliments are not necessary in every work place, but if it's a work place where they render hospitality services, ( hotels, fast food restaurants, pubs etc ) it's important because the mood of the workers in this places are to kept in check, in order to make customers comfortable, and when they comfortable they can come back, the employer can't afford to be strict in this case.
For the fact that it is not a place that only have to do with just you but also involve other people, their is need for compliment. Work is all about team work that has to do with other all people, no matter what the work is all about compliment is very important. Compliment is part of communication, and one of the things you cant take away from work place is communication. When their is poor communication it can affect the work going on and the people that are involved. Some people may think it doesn't matter, but if you compare where there is compliment and where their is not, the result are different.
