Recognition and Reward Programs at Work

Recognition and Reward Programs at Work

Recognition and reward programs at work have so many benefits to both staff and employers. Furthermore, organisations understand the importance of looking after and retaining excellent employees.

What Are Recognition And Rewards Programs?

Recognition and rewards programs include a goal for employees to work hard for. Employers use them to help energise the staff and push them to work harder. Along with working harder, these programs have many other personally and for a business.

Difference Between Recognition And Reward?

There is a difference between recognition and rewards programs. Recognition is a form of acknowledgement by peers, bosses and employers. Reward means to give something to an employee as a result of recognition. You can give recognition without any reward. Usually, this is the case for most jobs. However, this is why recognition and reward programs are so good. It is human nature to want something in return for something. Having a reward program can provide a goal for people to work and push harder. Furthermore, it can also make employees feel like their work will be recognised and appreciated. Therefore, happy employees are hard-working employees. In addition, hard-working employees mean a better overall workforce who produce a higher quality of work.

Benefits of Recognition and Reward Programs

Recognition and reward programs have positive results from the individual to the corporation. These include;

Increased motivation

Motivation in the workplace is critical. Workers in office jobs spend a lot of time in close contact. Due to this, things like sickness and mood can easily affect everyone quickly. For example, at Christmas time, putting up some decorations can boost company morale and motivation. It improves work results.

It Shows an Appreciation for Employees

Everybody likes to feel appreciated from time to time. A job is no exception. If a person feels acknowledged for what they are doing, they are more likely to continue doing it and work harder. As a result, a feeling of pride is also helpful. Therefore, if the company shows pride in its workers, employees will show pride in their work.

Promoting Healthy Competition Between Workers

A little competition is always good. It is something we are always taught right from birth. In primary school sports days, high school exams and work interviews. Promoting this competition can push workers to achieve better than their peers. In addition, it can ultimately increase productivity.

A Better Overall Work Environment

This comes from the points above. With a better environment, employees are more likely to stay focused and on task. In turn, this keeps work rates high and sustained. As a result, it can also help to make employees happy. Happier employees tend to work harder. In addition, they are also more likely to stay loyal, which is critical for a business to succeed and survive.

Increased Work Rate Long Term

Every company has to think about the bottom line. Furthermore, at the centre of most decisions is money. Ultimately, this leads to companies trying to increase productivity and work rates. Therefore, if you manage to sort out the points above, it is much more likely that the work rate will increase.

A Higher Employee Loyalty Rate

Loyal employees are the backbones of a company. Most importantly, employees that like their work environment and atmosphere are likely to stick around. In addition, they are more likely to work harder throughout their employment.

Benefits During Covid

Since the pandemic began, companies have had employees work from home. As a result, employees cant see the effects of their work. However, with programs in place, workers can be recognised and rewarded no matter where they are. Therefore, with workers still feeling like valued employees, productivity remains high.

Examples of Recognition and Rewards Programs

Recognition and reward programs can be easy to create and use in a working environment.

An Employee of the Month

An employee of the month is something found in most workplaces and most companies worldwide. Therefore, it can be used to motivate staff. In addition, it can become a goal for every worker. However, this only works as long as the company makes it desirable. If the company does nothing with the title, it will not be a goal for employees to want to achieve. Praising and giving a possible reward to the person who gets the role can help motivate other employees to work harder.

Years of Service

A company can recognise their employees years of dedicated service with signs of gratitude. Making an employee feel that they are valued is beneficial. Achieving this can increase the amount of time a person is willing to stay loyal to a company.

Wellbeing Days

Wellbeing days are the perfect to show staff your care about their health and wellbeing. In addition, taking time out from daily working life helps boost staff morale and teamwork.

Examples of Reward Programs

Like recognition programs, reward programs help give the workers something to work towards. Unlike recognition, however, rewards take it one step further. They are a direct gift of thanks for something the employee has done.

Cash Bonus

This is perhaps the most common form of reward. A cash bonus can make people work harder, especially if there is an event coming up, for example, a birthday or Christmas.

Free meal

Perhaps more common in the hospitality industry, the incentive of a free meal will get most people to work hard. Being rewarded with nourishment is a basic human desire.

How Can You be Recognised or Rewarded

Recognition and reward programs are created and used for a multitude of things.

Putting in Extra Effort 

Recognition can be for putting in the additional effort and this is the most common result of a recognition and rewards program.

Doing Something Extraordinary

Take charge of a situation out of your ordinary circumstances, for example, a medical emergency or security situation.

Achieving a Personal Victory 

Achieving or exceeding personal goals relating to your work can get you noticed and recognised by leaders and bosses. Also, it can reflect positively on a company as it can show them promoting self-growth and self-respect. Employees who have higher self-confidence in themselves and their work are more likely to work harder and put more effort into their work.

Team Goals

Being rewarded for team goals achieved helps boost morale and happiness. Additionally, it can reflect well on the company. Showing that a company cares about its employees as a whole can make them look excellent in the eyes of the public.

How to Create a Good Program

To successfully create a recognition and reward program, follow a few simple steps.

Clarify What the Program is 

This may sound obvious. However, every employee must understand how to achieve the goals. If it's unclear how to get employee of the month, workers can't compete to receive it. Ultimately, this removes the point of the program.

Define the Criteria 

After clarifying the program's result, you need to clearly explain what the employee can do to achieve the goal. Therefore, it can be a set of expectations or a checklist. When the list is complete, then the employee is up for the recognition or reward.

Push for Success 

Leaders and bosses must keep pushing their workers to want to achieve. If not, then there will be no point in a program. In addition, it has to be something exciting and valued. When working on a rewards program, it is also essential to keep the rewards realistic. As a result, this makes it more accessible for every employee. It can also increase the friendly competition between colleagues.

Follow Through on Any Promises

Following through on recognition and reward programs is imperative. Therefore, if no one follows through on the promises, then the employees will see no reason to strive for the goal.

Written By Guest Writer

Hattie Bickley