Perhaps the most difficult task of any organization is to retain its employees. Turnover rates have increased in many companies in the world, especially after the pandemic. Under such circumstances, the Human Resources departments are scrambling to create innovative ways to retain their employees. Employee awards have always been at the forefront of employee recognition programs. There are various awards to choose from, and you can pick a few based on your organization’s type and hierarchy.
If you’re looking to kickstart an employee recognition program in your organization, take a look at the list of ten popular and common employee awards below.
Employee of the Month/Quarter/Year
Any employee would love to have an employee of the month trophy on their shelf. This award is given to employees who make significant contributions over a month, a quarter, or a year. Employees who consistently go above and beyond to fulfill their duties, exceed their goals, and show exceptional commitment to their work usually win this award. Quality of work, productivity rate, and customer satisfaction levels are the primary criteria for deciding who gets this award.
Team Player Award
The Team Player Award is given to employees who consistently show teamwork, collaboration, and support. Employees who contribute highly to their team’s success, have strong interpersonal skills and create a positive work environment are eligible for this award. Team members usually provide monthly or quarterly feedback to the supervisor, based on which the employer awards the worthy candidate. Employees get this award monthly, quarterly, or annually depending on the organization’s policies.
Leadership Award
The Leadership Award is given to individuals who show strong leadership qualities, inspire and influence others, and bring out the most efficient output. These employees are good at taking initiative and have a significant impact on their team or organization.
Apart from these, employers also consider decision-making skills and the ability to achieve goals to decide who gets the award. The frequency of giving this award depends on the organization’s policies and is often awarded annually or on special occasions.
Special Project or Achievement Award
This award recognizes employees who have completed a significant project or obtained a notable achievement. The incumbent usually shows exceptional performance and outstanding results. The criteria for this award can directly be measured through project outcomes and positive impact on the organization. Feedback from stakeholders also counts, if needed. There is no frequency of this award. The company awards this only when the employee has completed a special project.
Sales Achievement Award
The Sales Achievement Award recognizes employees with great sales performance and significant contributions to meeting sales targets. These employees usually have in-depth product knowledge and apply effective sales techniques.
Increased sales revenue, acquisition of new accounts, customer retention rates, and feedback from sales managers or team members are directly linked to such success and are the criteria for deciding this award. It can be awarded monthly, quarterly, or yearly.
Customer Service Excellence Award
Similar to the Sales Achievement Award, the Customer Service Excellence Award is given to employees who provide exceptional service and maintain positive relationships with customers. They usually have excellent communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and a strong focus on customer satisfaction. Criteria for this award include customer feedback, satisfaction ratings, solving customer issues, and the ability to build customer loyalty. It’s usually awarded on a quarterly or yearly basis.
Innovation Award
The Innovation Award is given to employees who can solve problems creatively and can bring in new ideas or improvements to an organization to make it more agile. Criteria for this award are more abstract as the contribution isn’t quantified. It includes the successful implementation of ideas, positive outcomes, cost or time savings, or positive feedback from stakeholders. The employer can award it quarterly or annually, or as per the company policies.
Longevity Award
The Longevity Award recognizes employees with long-term commitment and loyalty to the organization. These employees usually have completed 5, 10, 15, or 20 years with the company. The employee’s length of service is the only criterion for measuring eligibility. This award celebrates the employee’s dedication and loyalty and gives them a sense of belongingness.
Mentorship Award
This award recognizes employees who successfully guide and support their colleagues’ professional development and growth within the organization. They play the role of mentors, offer guidance, share their knowledge, and contribute to the success of their mentees. Employers usually collect feedback and testimonials from mentees and assess the improvements in their skills or performance to decide who gets the award. The frequency of giving this award depends on the organization’s policies, often awarded annually or on special occasions.
Safety Champion Award
The Safety Champion Award is given to employees who work in a hazardous workplace and consistently prioritize safety by following protocols. They usually also proactively identify and report safety concerns and help keep the workplace safe for their colleagues.
A thorough examination of which employees follow safety guidelines, regularly participate in safety training, and report hazards can give the employer an idea of who’s eligible for the award. It’s given away monthly, quarterly, or annually.
Employee awards are the best way to recognize their contribution to an organization. Achieving them can motivate an employee to work harder and stay committed to a particular organization for a long time. Apart from verbal recognition and appreciation, giving them a memento or a plaque can help them preserve the memory for years to come.
You must be logged in to post a comment.