Create an appreciation culture with insights from HR professionals, Top Workplaces experts, and research-backed best practices.
Who and what your company celebrates tells your employees a lot about the kind of culture you have — and the type of culture you want. When genuine appreciation is modeled every day from the top down, you’ll create a culture that people want to be a part of and contribute to in every way.
There are plenty benefits of employee recognition, including better retention and morale. The best employee recognition programs also drive people to perform better. Not to mention, workplace appreciation consistently ranks as one of the strongest drivers of engagement.
Companies with great employee recognition programs
Companies with the best employee recognition programs go beyond tangible benefits to make employees feel appreciated, valued, and motivated. They’re also more likely to stay with your company, significantly impacting employee retention.
Not all employee recognition programs are successful. They should align closely with your company’s mission and values to be effective. Here, we feature six award-winning Top Workplaces that rank highly for employee recognition and highlight employee rewards and recognition program examples.
CBIZ
CBIZ delivers top-level financial and employee business services to organizations of all sizes and individual clients by providing national-caliber expertise and highly personalized service offered locally.
The company provides financial services, including accounting, tax, financial advisory, consulting services, risk management, and corporate finance, alongside retirement plan consulting and administration, payroll, HR outsourcing, health care reform consulting, and other employee benefits consulting services.
- Employee recognition programs: Total Rewards Employee Experience
- Standout employee recognition features: Purpose and growth are considered pillars of compensation and the employee experience at CBIZ.
- Employee appreciation goals: To enhance the quality of peer and employee-supervisor relationships, create a sense of purpose in each employee’s work through recognition and appreciation.
- What employees say:
- “I love my team. They’re supportive and make coming to work enjoyable and fun.”
- “Verbal praise of doing a good job. Employees can be nominated for recognition awards when they go above and beyond for our clients and coworkers, both nationally and locally.”
- “My team members make me feel like my work matters, and I contribute to the company’s success.”
- CBIZ’s Top Workplaces profile and featured awards
Baldwin Risk Partners
As a company, Baldwin Risk Partners comprises entrepreneurs and professionals dedicated to delivering risk management services and insurance solutions tailored to the needs of individuals and businesses nationwide.
At Baldwin Risk Partners, it’s not just about what they do for their clients but how they treat their employees. The company’s ethical approach to risk management results in a warm and welcoming atmosphere for employees when they join the team.
- Employee recognition programs: Equity-based Compensation
- Standout employee recognition features: Employees earn compensation bonuses as a reward for achieving goals in the workplace.
- Employee appreciation goals: Uses an ethical and honest approach to management, making employees feel welcome when they join the company.
- What employees say:
- “Great company with access to learning and development and good leaders.”
- “My boss is very open to new ideas, and I feel a great deal of trust and empowerment.”
- “I can speak my mind, offer ideas, and make suggestions — and I’m heard.”
- Baldwin Risk Partners’ Top Workplaces profile and featured awards
Gorilla Glue Company
The Gorilla Glue Company has a mission: to make a wide range of high-quality, innovative, and affordable products that form a lasting bond between people and the things they build, repair, and create. The Gorilla Glue Company is proud to be based in Cincinnati, Ohio, with manufacturing and distribution sites worldwide.
The Gorilla Glue Company is an industry leader that strives to make premium products and deliver value to its customers. Gorilla Glue Company is built on strength, loyalty, and innovation.
- Employee recognition programs: ‘People Committee’
- Standout employee recognition features: Company-wide team-building events, cross-functional outings, ongoing focus groups, and a conversational atmosphere.
- Employee appreciation goals: The ‘People Committee’ is dedicated to creating a workplace with better communication and improved employee recognition.
- What employees say:
- “The ability to have a voice that is heard by all levels of the organization.”
- “The company has gone above and beyond to keep us safe this year.”
- “Leaders take the time to talk to you; everyone wants to help when they can.”
- Gorilla Glue Company’s Top Workplaces profile and featured awards
KnowBe4
KnowBe4, the provider of the world’s largest security awareness training and simulated phishing platform offers solutions used by tens of thousands of organizations around the globe. With KnowBe4’s platform, organizations can better manage the ongoing problem of social engineering and these top cybersecurity problems.
The company’s culture is built upon a commitment to its team members and is dedicated to staying true to their core values: integrity, diligence, creativity, fun, and positivity. KnowBe4 focuses on hard work and strives to maintain an atmosphere where employees feel welcome and valued.
- Employee appreciation goals: ‘Fun’ is included in the company’s mission statement, as management strives to create an atmosphere where employees feel welcome and valued.
- What employees say:
- “Leaders make me feel appreciated when they tell me how my contributions are making a positive impact.”
- “There is concern for our well-being from the bottom to the top.”
- “We practice the art of feedback constantly.”
- KnowBe4’s Top Workplaces profile and featured awards
Power Design Inc.
Power Design is a National Design Build Contractor disrupting the industry with energy and innovation. The company values growth: “We grow as a company when we grow as individuals.” And everyone who works there seems to be on the same page.
The company invests time in intentional employee recognition and career development opportunities to build a strong workforce and empower its community. Employees at Power Design can’t say enough good things about the company’s commitment to people and forward-thinking culture.
- Standout employee recognition features: corporate support teams, construction apprenticeships, regular recognition, and appreciation, including on social media.
- Employee appreciation goals: all unique talents are celebrated, and achievements are recognized.
- What employees say:
- “I have never worked for an organization that makes me feel more wanted and appreciated than I do here.”
- “PDI does an incredible job making every team member feel like they are an integral part of the puzzle. You are supported, rewarded, and well taken care of.”
- “I have an appreciation here I have never received anywhere else.”
- Power Design Inc.’s Top Workplaces profile and featured awards
CGI
Although CGI is one of the world’s largest business consulting and IT firms, it is serious about employee recognition. A large component of CGI’s strategy revolves around high diversity, equity, and inclusion levels. Not only does the company value employees, but it genuinely appreciates every person’s unique perspective and experience.
Employees at CGI describe their experience as inclusive, ethical, respectful, and authentic. Check out their impressive careers page for more information about the unique company culture.
- Standout employee recognition features: ownership, listening, appreciation, health, and well-being benefits.
- Employee appreciation goals: trust and flexibility for employees to be their best at home and work, opportunities to shape their career, feeling heard, valued, and a sense of belonging.
- What employees say:
- “I feel appreciated, and I can directly impact my department.”
- “I am constantly learning new things and being allowed to grow in new roles.”
- “I feel valued as an individual, and I believe our team benefits from the value placed on diversity and inclusion.”
- CGI’s Top Workplaces profile and featured awards
Top Workplaces for Appreciation
The Top Workplaces for Appreciation award celebrates high-performing companies that excel at employee recognition. Exploring these award-winning cultures is an excellent place to start if you’re looking for a great workplace and a motivating job you love.
Because the award celebrates employers of choice, it’s also the perfect resource for leaders and managers to find employee recognition inspiration and ideas. Plus, it’s a great way to stay competitive and innovative in today’s rapidly changing job market.
Find a job with companies awarded for appreciation
Looking for a new job but not sure where to start? Find more employers of choice by exploring all Top Workplaces award categories, including national, regional, industry, and culture excellence awards.
If your company believes in the power of a people-first culture that prioritizes employee appreciation, get recognized for it! Top Workplaces is the nation’s leading employer recognition program, offering awards in 60+ regional markets plus national honors for culture and industry excellence. To participate, begin by nominating your organization.
