Employee Recognition: What does your program look like for the new year?

It’s easy to get stuck in an employee recognition rut using the same old tactics that don’t resonate with your team—or deliver higher levels of employee satisfaction, morale and  retention. Now that the new year is here, it’s time to break with the “old school” approach and implement these “new school” ideas to recharge your employee recognition program for 2020 and beyond.

Old School

• A mention of employment milestones at the annual company party by management
• Recognize accomplishments only in a performance review
• Offer an employee of the month parking space
• Bring in donuts on Friday morning
• Wait until a staff meeting to try to remember accomplishments
• Have an employee potluck each month without management presence
• No recognition given on the spot—that’s part of the job description
• Create a rewards program based on what you and your management team like
• Give a plaque or award that sits on a desk

New School

• A video message from your CEO or the employee’s direct manager to recognize employee work anniversaries
• Recognize accomplishments in real-time via a social media shout-out
• Give employees’ vehicles a professional car detailing while they’re at work (or working from home)
• Let employees take a Friday or two off to celebrate their good work
• Hang up a magnetic board with markers, stickers and sticky notes so everyone can post real-time recognition
• Recognize top performers with a lunch or dinner with your firm’s partners
• Recognize employees who keep their cool during stressful times with frozen treats
• Have your employees suggest new recognition activities and rewards
• Give high-performers a budget to upgrade or redecorate their office

These are just a few ways you can take your employee recognition program from “old school” to “new school” in 2020. Consider polling your team to find out which ideas they value most, then put their favorites into action to keep employee engagement high throughout busy season.