How to Begin an Employee Recognition Award Program

Steps

1. Create the Objective - First, you need to figure out what the program's scope and goals will be. You want to define the objective of the program. These should be objectives that you can easily understand. For instance, you want to create a better working atmosphere and more team players by promoting those that do well and give them recognition. You also might set goals for your program such as improving the safety of the workplace, or acknowledging those who have worked for you the longest. The goals of your program should be tailored to fit your needs exactly.
2. Set the Budget - After you have decided upon the goals for your program, it is important to establish a budget. Talk to any senior officials or any department who?s in charge of petty cash or purchasing to get clearance for a budget. Keep in mind that this type of program can run on any with little to no cost. See the tips section for award ideas.
3. Set Program Guidelines - The next step in developing this sort of program would be to establish some program guidelines. It is imperative the careful thought and consideration is put into establishing guidelines. Make sure that the criteria you are choosing matches your overall goals for the program. The award recognition should be spark motivation and inspire employees to achieve the goals or emulate the behavior associated with the type of award. For instance, if your program goals include increasing sales and increasing pride in the company, you want to have your criteria be along these same lines.
4. Choose Your Prizes - In order to have a good program, you must be sure that you have the right types of prizes to give you. Be sure that you are choosing your awards with your budget in mind, but also with the needs and wants of your employees in mind. Often, you can trade some advertising to a different company in order to get perks, such as free hotel rooms, or something else and you can use these for your awards. Don't be limited by the same old ideas, use your imagination. The awards that you give should be sincere, as well as adaptable, meaning that they can work for all members of the work place. They should also be relevant, and should tie into the goals of the program.
5. Tell About The Program - Tell your employees about the program. This can be done through promotional materials, bulletin posts, email or the intranet. It is important that employees are aware do the program and each award category that will be recognized. Keep employees abreast of deadlines.
6. Present the Award - The presentation is very important to the thought and consideration behind the award. Presentations can be formal or informal. For instance, there may be a company dinner in honor of many employees or the award can be presented one-on-one to the employee in front of the office. The type of presentation is determined by the type of award and the budget set for the program.

Tips

• Consider any of the following ways to recognize:
  • Personal thank you notes or emails
  • Letters of recommendations
  • Free dress-down day
  • Hold a recognition lunch
  • Company logo apparel
  • Desk clocks
  • Cash
  • Month of free parking

Warnings

• There is potential to destroy the culture of a workplace if the recognition develops into a series of competitive contests, focusing on gifts and monetary awards, rather than on the recognized behaviors of employees.

Things You'll Need

• Someone Assigned to Manage the program
• Great communication of the program
• The potential number of award recipients in a set time frame;
• The types and subsequent costs of the awards;
• Costs associated with the presentation of the awards;
• The costs of promotional and informational materials;
• Administrative costs; and
• Costs associated with the training of managers and supervisors.

Sources and Citations

• State of Kansas
• Corporatesnobs.com

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