Ideas on Ways to Recognize Employees

A handwritten thank-you note is thoughtful, personal and will be appreciated.

Everyone loves recognition. For the employee who is hardworking, achieves excellent performance results and goes beyond her job description, recognition is in order. Whether the recognition is a grand gesture, such as a promotion or pay raise, or a small token, such as a handwritten note or comp time, the employee will appreciate it. Employees may work harder to receive acknowledgment, which benefits your staff and your company.

Promotion or Pay Raise

The ultimate way to recognize employees is through promotions and pay increases. When an employee has been with the company for a significant period of time and performs at a superior level, a promotion may be in order. Recognize employees who aspire to move up and expand their responsibilities, skills and knowledge. If you are unable to promote because of your departmental structure, consider a bump in pay beyond the standard percentage or at a time of the year other than during annual performance reviews.

Thank You Note

A handwritten thank-you note to an exemplary employee is personal and inexpensive. Write a note to an employee who deserves recognition. In the note, tell the employee why you appreciate his services and what he means to you professionally. Highlight his positive qualities and accomplishments. Thank him for his commitment to the company and department. The employee will appreciate that his supervisor has taken the time to write such a thoughtful and personalized note.

Incentives, Bonuses, Comp Time

Give employees goals and incentives to achieve those goals. Offering incentives tied to monetary awards or time off is a great motivator for employees, in addition to the recognition. Employers may want to hold contests, such as who sold the most of one product or who had the most customer compliments, and offer a small bonus, gift card or comp time to the winner. Companies may have policies regarding monetary gifts and comp time, so it's best to check with the legal department before implementing these programs.

Departmental Celebration

Holding an office celebration to reward and recognize a team is not only fun but increases employee morale. Bring in bagels, cream cheese, donuts and gourmet coffee for an early morning surprise. Order a catered lunch one day or have managers bring in dishes for a potluck lunch. Let employees know this celebration is in recognition of their efforts and make a public announcement during the celebration to reinforce this. Your staff will appreciate the gesture and everyone will get to enjoy the goodies.

References

• University of Michigan Human Resources: 101 Ways to Celebrate People
• HR World: 25 Ways to Reward Employees
• Human Resources 101: 4 Simple Ways to Reward Employee Performance