We hear it constantly: employee recognition is critical for engagement and retention. In a recent Top Workplaces survey, 60% of respondents said their organization has increased employee appreciation and recognition efforts post-pandemic. And there’s more good news to share:
- 85% said their manager values them as a person, not just an employee.
- 84% feel appreciated by their managers.
- 83% believe the people they work with show appreciation for each other.
- 76% said senior managers show genuine appreciation for employees’ hard work.
Recognition reminds people of their value, regardless of where or how they work. So let’s take a closer look at employee appreciation, what it is, and why it’s important to your employees.
What is employee recognition?
Put simply, employee recognition is how a company appreciates individuals and their contributions. Recognition continues to be a leading driver of engagement, impacting employee connection, motivation, and pride. Everyone from finance execs to elementary school teachers agrees: Showing gratitude is an important driver for improving engagement.
Employee recognition and appreciation initiatives are also a fantastic way to reinforce company goals and values. Acknowledging and celebrating employees who embody your ethos motivates others to do the same, which is good for your business and brand.
Types of employee recognition
Let’s think big picture. Before we get into specific employee appreciation ideas, it’s important to review the different types of employee recognition from a higher level. Here are the most common types of recognition.
Formal recognition
This type of recognition is structured, official, well planned, and well documented throughout the organization.
Informal recognition
Informal recognition is often spontaneous, unstructured, and interpersonal. This type is all about boosting morale, without official formalities.
Employee to employee recognition
Also called ‘peer-to-peer recognition’, this one refers to how employees appreciate and motivate their teammates.
Top-down and direct-report recognition
As you can probably guess, top-down and direct-report recognition comes from someone in a more senior position.
Why employee recognition matters
Top Workplaces Research Lab survey data shows that 95% of organizations rank employee appreciation and recognition as a top-ten priority. And it pays dividends! 63% of those that made it a top-three priority post-pandemic indicated their employees feel more appreciated.
On the other hand, organizations that did not prioritize appreciation said their efforts fell short. To state the obvious, prioritizing recognition at a high level makes initiatives more effective.
Creating an effective employee recognition program is crucial. Effective doesn’t mean expensive or time-consuming. It’s all about asking employees how they want to be recognized and following through meaningfully. That way, you reap the benefits of employee recognition: higher morale, engagement, and retention.
When figuring out what employee appreciation ideas to try, choosing options that match your employees’ preferences is essential. Ask for feedback to know which initiatives will be most effective — you’ll never know until you ask!
Learn more: Employee Recognition Benefits
How to implement employee recognition programs
So, you know the importance of employee recognition programs. But do you know how to implement one? Our research shows there are a few areas to focus on first, including saying ‘thank you’ more often. Simple as it sounds, regular verbal appreciation is highly effective.
After that, it’s essential to ask employees how they prefer to be recognized. Explore different strategies to see what resonates most with your team. Once you find a strategy that works, incorporate it into team meetings, Slack channels, and onboarding programs.
Real examples of employee recognition ideas
The Top Workplaces Research Lab recently asked Top Workplaces what they’re doing to improve employee appreciation. Here’s what our survey respondents say have strongest impact:
- Employee wellness programs
- Individual and team awards
- Notes from executives
- Peer feedback programs (‘Cheers for Peers’ cards!)
- Kudos channels on Slack or Teams
- Monthly newsletter and spotlights
- Third-party recognition
- Pep rallies
- Concert ticket raffles
- Promotions
- Family-friendly parties
Learn more: 31 Employee Appreciation Ideas (includes cheap employee appreciation ideas)
6 Employee recognition best practices
Even if you already have a highly effective recognition program in place, it’s important to monitor progress. According to the Top Workplaces Research Lab, there are six top tips for improving employee appreciation and recognition, no matter where you’re starting from.
- Get leaders, managers, and peers involved
- Be thoughtful about who – and what – your organization recognizes
- Provide personalized forms of appreciation
- Find ways to recognize remote employees too
- Provide various forms of recognition
- At the end of the day, financial recognition is important too
Get the full report: Employee Appreciation and Recognition insights from the Top Workplaces Research Lab
Top Workplaces for Appreciation
Sometimes, it’s helpful to look at other companies for inspiration. Here are some recent Top Workplaces for Appreciation award recipients:
Get recognized by Top Workplaces
Does your organization excel at employee appreciation? Get recognized for it. Nominate your company for Top Workplaces awards and recognition. The process is simple and there is no cost to participate. Get started today!
