Chances are, you’ve heard a lot about employee engagement in the past few years. The truth is, it’s hard for businesses to keep their employees happy and motivated without some sort of recognition. Studies show that companies with effective recognition programs have higher retention rates and increased productivity. But what exactly does an effective employee recognition program look like? Here are four employee recognition examples you can steal today:
An employee of the month
An employee of the month program is a great way to recognize employees who go above and beyond. For example, you could give them a plaque or certificate in front of their peers and managers. You could also give them a gift card or other small token of appreciation. You can even have lunch where everyone gets together to celebrate the employee.
This is a great way to show your employees that you care about their contributions and are willing to publicly acknowledge them for it. Another popular way to recognize employees is by raffling off time off. For example, if an employee has worked at your company for five years without missing any days, they might be eligible for some extra paid vacation days.
Kudo cards
Kudo cards are a great way to recognize your employees. Kudo cards can be used to spotlight any employee, no matter how big or small their achievements are. You can use Kudo cards to celebrate good performance, or for going above and beyond what is expected of them.
There’s nothing like actually handing an employee a handwritten card to say thank you. It means so much more than an email or text message, and it’s bound to make the recipient feel very special indeed.
Celebrate birthdays and work anniversaries
The birthday of an employee is a great time to recognize them. For example, if someone has been a member of your team for five years, you can take them out to lunch and congratulate them on their dedication.
If one of your employees celebrates a work anniversary—for example, five years at the company—you can also celebrate by taking them out for lunch or giving them a small present.
Recognize new projects and big wins
Recognizing employees who have accomplished a new project or big win can be a great way to show your appreciation for their hard work and dedication. It’s also an opportunity to show them that their efforts are valued by letting them know how important they are to the company’s success. A formal ceremony is not necessary, but it should be clear and concise so that everyone knows what those accomplishments mean concerning the company as well as what the employee did toward achieving them.
Longer-term employees can feel like they’re forgotten sometimes, so it’s important to make sure they feel appreciated too. It’s easy enough just say “thank you” every once in a while, but there are other ways you can show your appreciation for these long-serving staff members: sending small gifts, giving special bonuses or promotions if appropriate, allowing time off work if needed (for example, during difficult personal circumstances).
Conclusion
There are many ways to give your employees recognition, and the trick is to find the one that works best for your culture. For example, a company that’s more focused on results may not have time for employee recognition programs. By contrast, a company with a culture where people enjoy being recognized in public may want to consider a Kudo card system where employees can earn points by doing good work or helping each other out. And finally, if you want to show appreciation for someone who’s just starting at your business—or celebrating an anniversary as part of their onboarding process—then perhaps an awards banquet will do.
