Employee recognition is more than just a perk—it’s a powerful tool for engagement, retention, and culture-building. At our recent RCGNZ Summit, HR leaders held a breakout session to discuss their recognition efforts: the challenges they faced, the tools they used, and the solutions they found to work. These HR leaders include:
- Amy Butler, VP of People Operations at Awardco
- Edward Amey, CEO of Jane Nolan Community Services
- Andrew Taylor, Talent & Development Manager at FanDuel
- Jamie Joyner, Employee Experience Partner with Imagine Learning
- David Kitch, HR Director for Lehi City
Read the recap below to learn all of the guidance and best practices shared by these leaders from various industries and org sizes.
The Power of Choice in Recognition
Offering flexibility in how employees are recognized can significantly boost engagement. Many organizations are moving beyond traditional gift cards to a broader range of rewards, including experiences, charitable donations, and company-branded swag.
The benefits of a choice-driven approach:
- Increased employee satisfaction – Employees appreciate the ability to select rewards that are meaningful to them.
- Stronger brand engagement – Custom company swag allows employees to represent their organization proudly.
- Greater participation – Employees are more likely to engage with recognition programs when they have a say in how they are rewarded.
Overcoming Barriers to Recognition in Different Work Environments
For industries with deskless or remote workers, fostering a culture of recognition can be challenging. The panelists emphasized the importance of leveraging digital platforms to connect teams and ensure that recognition efforts reach every employee, regardless of location.
Key strategies for engaging remote and deskless employees:
- Utilize digital tools – Integration with communication platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams can make recognition seamless.
- Encourage peer-to-peer recognition – Allowing employees to recognize each other fosters a stronger sense of connection and teamwork.
- Use recognition data for engagement efforts – Tracking recognition trends can highlight top contributors and reinforce positive behaviors.
Driving Adoption Through Leadership and Change Management
Implementing a recognition program requires more than just a platform—it takes strategic change management and leadership buy-in. Leaders shared how they secured adoption by tying recognition to performance management and emphasizing its role in company culture.
Effective change management strategies:
- Executive sponsorship – When leaders actively participate in recognition efforts, employees follow suit.
- Training and communication – Educating employees and managers on the value of recognition ensures sustained engagement.
- Aligning with company values – Recognition should reinforce behaviors that align with organizational goals and culture.
Measuring the Impact of Recognition on Retention and Culture
HR teams are finding that recognition programs contribute to improved retention and workplace satisfaction. Organizations that track engagement and analyze recognition trends see the direct impact on turnover rates and employee morale.
Ways to measure the success of recognition programs:
- Utilization rates – Monitoring participation levels can indicate overall engagement.
- Employee feedback – Surveys help capture qualitative insights on how recognition influences job satisfaction.
- Turnover trends – Comparing retention rates before and after implementing a recognition program can reveal its effectiveness.
Sustainable Recognition: Balancing Budget and Impact
While recognition programs are valuable, they must be financially sustainable. Structuring budgets wisely and ensuring that recognition remains meaningful without being excessive are key to the success of any recognition initiative.
Best practices for sustainable recognition programs:
- Set clear guidelines for point distribution – Avoid over-inflation of rewards to maintain long-term viability.
- Educate managers on recognition value – Help leaders understand that thoughtful recognition is more impactful than just large point allocations.
- Ensure consistency – Regularly reinforcing the program’s purpose prevents it from losing significance over time.
Creating a Culture of Appreciation
Ultimately, a strong recognition program goes beyond transactions—it fosters a culture where employees feel valued, appreciated, and motivated. By making recognition a consistent and integral part of the workplace, organizations can enhance engagement, improve retention, and create a more connected workforce.
Hear more specifics from this breakout session, or watch other sessions, here.
An avid lover of fantasy books, a proud Hufflepuff, and a strong proponent of escapism, Jeff has a love of good storytelling. He relies on that for both his professional work and his writing hobby (don’t ask about the 10+ novel ideas collecting virtual dust on his computer).
