Criteria for Employee Recognition Awards

Employee recognition awards can help improve morale and productivity.

Using employee recognition awards allows the company and department managers to make employees feel appreciated for the work they do. A well-planned recognition program can help supplement income and benefits as a positive morale booster for the staff. There are criteria that each recognition program should follow that will help to make it successful and make the administration of the program clear to all employees.

Measurement

A recognition program where there can be one winner can be cost effective to the company and make it easier for employees to follow the results. But using a system of measurement that identifies only one winner can create unhealthy competition among the staff, according to management expert Don Jacobson, writing for the Gov Leaders website. When there is a single winner there must also be a second place finisher as well. Finishing second place by a small margin and missing out on recognition can demoralize top performing employees. Use measurements that can help create multiple winners and give everyone a chance to be recognize. For example, establish a sales goal for the quarter that will recognize every sales professional that reaches that goal as opposed to only recognizing the top performer.

Purpose

Develop recognition programs that promote excellent performance in areas that are important to the company. For example, if your company can save money on insurance by eliminating workplace accidents, then recognize the people that have low accident report numbers either quarterly or annually. When a recognition program is based on a company need, it becomes easier for the company to justify any expenses involved with administering the program and any costs associated with prizes for employees who are recognized.

Compensation

In order for a recognition plan to benefit the company, there needs to be a return on the investment. In order for the plan to motivate the employees, there needs to be some sort of compensation. There are several forms of compensation that the company can consider for recognition plans including extra paid vacation days, a premium parking spot in the company lot, being allowed to leave work an hour early every Friday, gift cards to local department stores or restaurants and cash.

Administration

In order for recognition programs to be effective, the entire staff needs to understand how the recognition program works. That is why it is necessary to have regular meetings with all of the employees to help update everyone on the current award results, answer any questions regarding the program and introduce any new programs. Meetings can be monthly or quarterly, depending on how many recognition programs there are and how often they compensate employees. The more programs you have, the more often you should have meetings. The criteria for employee recognition awards should also be part of the new employee orientation training.

References

• Microsoft: Recognize Employee Achievement
• Gov Leaders: Making Creative Use of Employee Recognition Programs
• University of Washington Human Resources: Develop a Formal Recognition Program

Resources

• Business Management Daily: Criteria for "Employee of the Month" Awards