Types of Recognition
Two types of recognition exist: informal and formal.
Informal recognition is given to employees who get results. It is given immediately and informally. This type of recognition is best used to give immediate feedback on performance. Examples of informal recognition include:
Informal recognition is given to employees who get results. It is given immediately and informally. This type of recognition is best used to give immediate feedback on performance. Examples of informal recognition include:
- Thank you card
- Treats given to staff in recognition of accomplishment
- Send an email to a supervisor about employee success or behavior, copy the employee.
Formal recognition is vital to maintaining a culture of recognition in an organization. Formal recognition is given at a set time, awards are distributed based on previously established criteria, and winners are named based on objective, measurable, results. Examples of a formal recognition program are:
- Performance Awards
- Safety Awards
- Years of Service
- Recognition in Action
Bob Nelson, motivation and recognition expert, recommends that managers make daily recognition part of their job by making people part of your to-do list. Managers lead busy lives so Nelson offers some advice to ensure success:
- Set up a reminder system on the calendar
- Set aside 10 minutes each day for recognition
- Hold one-on-one meetings with employees
- Ask others to help by asking for feedback from employees and support from peers
Further Reading on Recognition Best Practices:
- The 1001 Rewards and Recognition Fieldbook by Bob Nelson
- Managing with Carrots by Gotstick and Elton
- White Papers by Forum for People Performance Management at www.performanceforum.org
- White papers distributed by the National Association for Employee Recognition
Sources: The 1001 Rewards and Recognition Fieldbook, Bob Nelson, 2003, Workman Publishing Company, Inc.
Copyright Crystal D 2006. All Rights Reserved.
