Recognition is a huge deal for employees. A Great Place to Work survey showed that 37% of employees expressed that personal recognition motivates them to work better. Apart from that, doing so helps retain top talent, boost employee engagement, and improve work performance.
Whether rewarding quality work or another year in the company, employers should recognize and appreciate their employees regularly. There are many ways to do so, but the most common is to award a unique plaque of recognition to loyal and outstanding employees.
Most Common Employee Recognition Awards to Consider
Recognition that is done regularly is successful in motivating and encouraging people at work. Below are some of the most common recurring awards business owners should consider for their employees.
- Performance Recognition
When it comes to work, it’s best to give praise where praise is due. Awarding top-performing employees is an excellent way for a company to show appreciation to the people driving the business forward. While credit should be given on any day, awarding ceremonies can be organized monthly, quarterly, or yearly, whichever works best for the company.
- Best Attendance
Employee attendance is one of the factors that make or break a business. In fact, absenteeism and tardiness result in over $225 billion loss for businesses each year.
Because of this, business owners should recognize employees who always do their best to show up at work on time. Whether cash incentives or plaques, giving them awards offers motivation each time they clock in at work.
- Work Anniversary
Work anniversaries are an employee milestone that’s worth celebrating. Having worked another year in the company is a huge feat and should be given proper credit. Aside from annual awards, business owners may also consider awarding employees that have stayed the longest in the company. They may be those who’ve been working for five years or more.
- Employee Retirement
Those who have worked most of their life in an organization deserve utmost recognition the moment they retire. Business owners may consider throwing them a retirement party and simultaneously giving them a custom retirement award for their excellent long-term service.
Unique Corporate Awards for Employees
Employers may choose not to stick to the norm or hand out more unique awards to their employees. The following awards are great examples to consider.
- Living by Our Values
A company’s core values are essential in uniting the organization as they aim for a common goal. So, it’s only imperative for employers to award a team member who lives by these core values in everything they do within the workplace. If a company values excellence, passion, and fun, employees exuding these traits should be given recognition.
- Team Player
Employees who exhibit great teamwork skills by collaborating and communicating effectively within and across teams should be given credit. Team player awards are usually given to those who have shown excellent performance working with a group and holding it together.
- Going Above and Beyond
Quiet quitting is a recent workplace trend that affects both employers and employees. It’s when an employee refuses to go above and beyond, only doing the bare minimum to get by. While there are many factors that employees and HR teams should consider, one way to bring back employee motivation is by awarding those who exceed company expectations.
- Best Customer Service
Client and customer communication can be challenging, so companies shouldn’t fail to recognize those who excel at it. Excellent service requires customers to engage and transact with a business in the first place.
- Coaching Champion
Coaches are those who provide feedback and praise to support their fellow employees’ growth. They may be given to team leaders and managers who go out of their way to help their members reach their fullest potential.
The Takeaway
Employee appreciation can be shown through verbal praise or bonuses. However, awarding something tangible, such as plaques and trophies, gives these exceptional employees something to remember throughout their careers. Business owners should consider handing the above awards regularly to boost employee morale and productivity.