Five Tips For Implementing A Successful Employee Recognition Program

Successful employee recognition programs have tremendous benefits for your company's bottom line – along with significant improvements in productivity, morale, and job satisfaction. Although employee recognition programs are typically designed and created to reward competencies and work performance, many of them also help to motivate employees performing below expectations. Employees want to know that their hard work is being noticed and that the company appreciates them. Here are few tips that can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of your employee recognition program or how your current program can be improved:

1. One Size Does Not Fit All - One of the keys to success is a clearly defined process for rewarding employees and an adequate number of options available for employees to choose from that allow them to match their award with their varied personal interests. The one size fits all recognition programs limit the creativity of management and employees as the flexibility in recognition rewards is not available. When employees know that their reward will be the same "watch and clock" that was awarded to everyone else, the value and excitement of winning the award may be lost. Prevent this from happening by structuring a program that offers options to your employees.
2. Match The Size Of Gift With The Accomplishment – One way to properly implement a rewards program is to have awards that are equivalent to the scale of the accomplishment. The employee that completed the mandatory safety overview should not receive the same award as the employee of the month. Structure your program so that different accomplishments are awarded accordingly.
3. Establish Targets – Make the company direction and goals clear to your employees and their role in meeting those goals. Reward them throughout the process based on the direction and progress that is being achieved towards those goals. This will keep employees engaged in the achievement of company goals and give them clear direction on the type of effort and execution that is necessary to achieve them. Equally or more important than the award itself, is the feeling of satisfaction that the employees like to feel by achieving goals and exceeding expectations.
4. Make It Personal – As stated earlier, the employees want to know that they are appreciated. This could be as simple as a note in their mailbox or a quick e-mail stating that their achievement was recognized. This could also be an announcement at a team meeting of the accomplishment and what the reward is. It is not required to be a large monetary gift at all times, but should match the award with the achievement.
5. Reward Big and Small – It is always exciting when your employee achieves 10 years of perfect attendance or 20 year service anniversary, but is also exciting when a customer provides feedback of their outstanding customer experience. It is very easy to overlook some of the smaller accomplishments, but make sure to include them in your employee recognition program so that they are not taken for granted. You will be pleasantly surprised with their impact.

Employee recognition programs can have a positive effect of many parts of your business for a relatively low cost when implemented effectively. Make sure that your rewards program adequately rewards positive behavior and motivates those who are under performing. Most important is to make sure your employee receive awards that they view as valuable, equal to their achievement, and uniquely designed for them to enjoy.