A Tale of Two Employee Recognition Experiences

The Do's and Don'ts of Employee Recognition

Not all recognition is created equal. This interactive experience walks you through the best — and worst — ways to recognize employees. Explore examples that show how a thoughtful approach makes all the difference in making employees feel seen, valued and motivated.

Learn the Do's and Don'ts of Recognition

Key Statistics about Employee Recognition Programs Helping to Create A Positive Workplace Culture

Well-recognized employees have more self-confidence and feel more satisfied with their work

Harvard Business Review, 2016

Organizations with strong recognition cultures enjoy better recruitment efforts.

Deloitte, 2012

Companies with engaged employees outperform those without by 202%.

Dale Carnegie Training, 2024

In a study conducted by the Incentive Research Foundation, it was found that 84% of employees felt more motivated when they received recognition for their work.

Selectsoftwarereviews, 2024
Companies that effectively recognize employees are 12 times more likely to achieve strong business results.

Bersin by Deloitte, 2012

Recognition-rich cultures have 31% lower turnover rates.

Forbes, 2012
Organizations with high employee engagement report 23% higher profitability.

Gallup, 2024

Employee engagement programs can increase profits by $2,400 per employee per year. Workplace Research Foundation, 2015
Recognition is the top driver of employee retention.

Forbes, 2022

Key Takeaways from this example of recognizing employees

The Importance of Employee Engagement & Recognition

Employees who feel appreciated through a formal employee recognition program are more engaged, productive, and loyal.
Recognition to highlight employee achievements and outstanding performance should be timely, specific, and genuine.

Effective Employee Appreciation Methods Matter

The stories of Emma and Daniel illustrate how meaningful recognition can either propel a company forward or hold it back. By valuing and appreciating employees through your workplace culture, organizations like BrightWave Innovations create a thriving work environment that benefits everyone. Conversely, neglecting recognition in your company culture, as seen at Apex Enterprises, leads to disengagement and a decline in business performance.

Don't let your company become a cautionary tale. Embrace the power of positive recognition with Inspirus.

Inspirus is dedicated to helping organizations create positive employee experiences, deliver employee appreciation, and recognize employees' contributions that drive engagement and business success. Let us help you write your own success story.

Increase employee happiness by public recognition programs during employee appreciation day. Visit out blog to see employee recognition examples, employee appreciation quotes, ways to enhance your culture of recognition and reward employees, and more!

Employee recognition examples to try

Peer-to-Peer Shoutouts

Encourage employees to recognize each other during meetings, in team chats, or via recognition software for helpful or collaborative behavior.

Spot Bonuses

Give spontaneous cash rewards or gift cards for exceptional performance, extra effort, or problem-solving under pressure.

Personalized Thank-You Notes

Have managers or leaders write handwritten or thoughtful digital notes that highlight the specific actions and impact an employee made.

Public Praise in Team Meetings

Celebrate achievements during regular stand-ups or all-hands meetings to give recognition visibility and encourage peer applause.

Employee of the Month/Quarter Awards

Use performance data, peer nominations, or client feedback to select and honor standout employees.

Celebrating Milestones and Anniversaries

Recognize work anniversaries, birthdays, and personal milestones (e.g., finishing a degree) with cards, gifts, or shoutouts.

Manager One-on-One Recognition

Train managers to take time during check-ins to point out accomplishments and express appreciation face-to-face.

Social Media Spotlights

With employee permission, highlight achievements or behind-the-scenes wins on your company’s LinkedIn or Instagram pages.

Values-Based Recognition

Tie recognition directly to company values (e.g., collaboration, innovation) so employees understand what behaviors are celebrated.

Team Achievement Celebrations

Recognize entire teams with a lunch, early release, or small party when they hit goals or complete big projects.

Development Opportunities as Rewards

Offer top performers access to professional development perks like online courses, conferences, or leadership programs.