Employees need feedback. Coaching, performance reviews and mentoring programs can keep them on track, but little extra can make a difference. Recognition programs take many forms and involve a vast range of funds. Keeping it simple can impact morale. An “on the spot” program can be easy to put in place, operate on a small budget and provide feedback quickly and spontaneously. To implement, design a form to be completed by the person who wants to “thank” their co-worker. The nominator should justify the award by including what the employee did to qualify and why they deserve it. A program manager reviews the form to insure compliance with the program’s criteria. The nominator presents a certificate to the nominee at a dept. meeting or one on one. Each certificate can be accompanied by a coupon which can be redeemed for a gift. Develop a collection of prizes of varying value and allow employees to redeem coupons immediately, or save them for larger prizes. To start your program: 1) Gather input from focus groups to find out what type of gifts are desirable. 2) Don’t promise something you can’t deliver. 3) Low cost items such as car washes, manicures, or a bag of chocolates are popular. 4) Establish guidelines- be specific about what is expected to qualify and encourage nominators to include details explaining why their co-worker deserves the award. Use the award as a way to say thank you. 5) Don’t isolate the awarding to management. Let employees recognize co-workers in and outside their departments as well as supervisors/managers. 6) Set a budget and work within the budget. So what will you get? Employees will feel appreciated, morale will rise, and you add a little bit of fun for minimal cost and effort.
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