Designing Powerful Recognition Programs
Although different organizations have different needs relative to recognition, “employee recognition continues to be top of mind as employers use their total rewards toolkit to differentiate themselves as an employer of choice and solve for a variety of business challenges.” In a survey sponsored by WorldatWork in 2008, almost nine in 10 participating organizations have employee recognition programs in place. (Worldat Work 2008, p.1)
Recognition may very well be the most under utilized form of rewards in corporate America today. Anecdotal information from engagement surveys conducted through the years by PORTICO reveals that employees value recognition programs if: Meaningful measurement criteria is used; performance results are reviewed and evaluated by those who are in situations that can best observe, the magnitude of applicable rewards match the level of results, and recognition programs are not used as a way to make-up for ineffective compensation plans
PORTICO can help you:
- Determine if and how recognition fits into your total compensation strategy. If appropriate, strategize a recognition program mix that supports employee engagement goals and appeals to a diverse workforce appetite
- Identify essential performance outcomes that are not captured in other reward programs and should “have a home” in a recognition initiative
- Facilitate employee teams to brainstorm and design recognition programs
- Design results oriented recognition systems that support your total compensation strategy
- Develop metrics and measures for recognition programs
- Identify rewards and awards that are commensurate with recognition program results of recognition programs
- Develop employee communications that portray the highlights of your recognition programs
Recognition plans in the past, while powerful tools, have too often been used as a way to make up for ineffective compensation programs. Today, recognition programs are likely to be used strategically to focus in on driving and rewarding specific achievements not measured and reinforced in other compensation plans. We invite you to explore with PORTICO how recognition programs—both individual and team-- can play a key role in your total reward mix and help create optimum people performance!
