Three Ways to Mix Up Your Employee Recognition Routine

It is no secret that people love recognition and praise. The right kind of recognition can help to make a boring day an exceptional one. It can also be a tool for improving employee engagement. Recognition programs are standard in organizations throughout the world. Unfortunately, many recognition programs are predictable and stagnant from the employee’s point of view. Once a program is set up, it is too easy to let momentum and habit fuel recognition efforts. Don’t let your organization get into a rut; consider the following tips to keep your recognition fresh and meaningful. Do so, and you’ll enjoy more engaged employees who are eager to present their very best work.

1. Think outside of the (Cash) Box.
Employee recognition does not have to be financial. In the end, how you distribute your employee recognition rewards often matters more than what you distribute. Don’t limit yourself to monetary rewards – think about how you can reward with time (like giving an employee an extra hour for lunch), situations (like the President taking an employee out to lunch to say thank you), or sentiment (like a hand-written note expressing your gratitude.) Sometimes, the least expensive recognition techniques are the ones that employees remember best. They may not remember how they spent that $5 gift card, but they’ll probably remember your heart-felt praise.

For the full article see: Employee Recognition