72 Employee Recognition Examples Sure to Inspire

While there are many ways to improve business practices, companies often miss the most vital piece: their employees. An organization’s workforce is at the base of virtually every performance indicator, so if they’re looking for find success, they should try employee recognition.

At its core, employee recognition is how a company shows appreciation for what an employee contributes, and is a cornerstone of a thriving workplace culture. It goes beyond mere acknowledgment; it’s about valuing contributions, fostering motivation, and creating a positive work environment.

Whether you are looking to create an employee recognition program or want to revamp your practices, developing new ways to demonstrate your gratitude can be overwhelming. To get you started, we’ve compiled a list of 72 employee recognition examples and messages that will inspire you and your teams.

Why Employee Recognition Matters

Employee appreciation is a vital part of a successful company. Employees who feel underappreciated will be more likely to be dissatisfied, unmotivated, and disengaged. As these feelings fester, it can often lead to the employee seeking other employment. Therefore, it increases employee turnover and the associated costs. 

In contrast, an organization that actively recognizes quality work will inspire employees to continue producing at the same level that you acknowledge. Recognition will cause employees to work harder, create more quality work, and become more engaged.

According to Harvard Business Review, “Employees who reported that their managers were great at recognizing them were more than 40% more engaged than those with managers who were not. In addition, they were more confident, felt better informed, offered more discretionary effort, and were less likely to quit.”

And these are not the only benefits of implementing an employee recognition program. Other benefits of employee recognition include: 

• Improved employee morale and motivation
• Enhanced employee retention rates
• Strengthened team dynamics
• Increased productivity
• Improved creativity
• Enhanced customer experience
• Improve employee experience

How Do You Recognize an Employee?

Recognizing employees can take many forms; however, there are five main attributes ensuring that recognition is valuable. According to research from Gallup, there are five pillars of recognition used when recognizing an employee for their work. These pillars are: 

1. Fulfilling: given in a consistent and reliable manner
2. Authentic: offered genuinely and tied to specific achievements
3. Equitable: distributed among all employees fairly according to recognition standards and expectations
4. Embedded in Culture: given freely and among all employees, not just from manager to employee.
5. Personalized: given according to the recognition preferences of each employee.

If your recognition falls under these pillars, then your acknowledgment will be more successful at improving employee relations and offer greater benefits. Using these components as part of your appreciation programs as a base, you can decide what types of recognition your company should implement.

Types of Employee Recognition

There are a variety of methods to provide employee recognition. An effective employee recognition program requires using one or multiple types of recognition. The types of employee recognition can be broken down into:

• Verbal expression
• Written recognition
• Awards
• Rewards
• Celebrations

As you implement a consistent employee recognition program, using various recognition types will yield the most significant benefits. To help you get the most out of your employee recognition, here is a list of the best employee recognition examples broken down by type:

7 Award Employee Recognition Examples

For many, working towards an award can be the perfect motivator. As you develop an employee recognition award that honors your workforce’s small and large contributions, you will find unique and personal ways to boost the recipient’s confidence. 

Awards can come in a variety of ways. Here are some award-based recognition examples you can implement in your company:

1. Recognition Wall: Create a physical or virtual wall to showcase employees’ achievements, allowing everyone to see and celebrate each other’s successes.
2. Employee of the Month Awards: Highlight exceptional performance by honoring an outstanding employee each month. Offer a certificate, a reserved parking spot, or a personalized desk accessory. These programs are most effective when a variety of employees are recognized. 
3. Annual Recognition Ceremonies: Host an annual awards ceremony to recognize outstanding employees in various categories, creating a sense of prestige and excitement.

4. Innovation Awards: Recognize employees who contribute innovative ideas with awards or special recognition, fostering a culture of creativity.
5. Humorous Award Ceremony: Not all awards need to be serious. Funny employee awards can be a great way to build camaraderie and recognize the simple ways colleagues add to each other’s lives. 
6. Skill Badges: Introduce a badge system for employees to earn recognition for acquiring new skills or certifications relevant to their roles.
7. Customer Appreciation Awards: Acknowledge employees who receive positive customer service feedback with a customer service award. This will reinforce the connection between employee efforts and customer satisfaction.

10 Reward Employee Recognition Examples

From corporate gifts to progress badges, providing various rewards can be a great motivator to someone who enjoys seeing their hard work result in something. And let’s be honest, everyone likes receiving a gift or added perk occasionally. 

You can physically represent appreciation for their work using perks and rewards for employee appreciation. An employee reward can be something for employees to work towards, driving employee engagement and motivation. Some examples of reward-based recognition include:

1. Flexible Work Arrangements: Acknowledge hard work by offering flexible schedules or remote work options. These options can range from one added remote day to giving them more control over their schedule. As you do this, you will demonstrate trust and appreciation for employees’ dedication.
2. Casual Dress Days: Reward hard work with a casual dress day, allowing employees to enjoy a relaxed work environment as a token of appreciation.
3. Company Swag: Give employees branded merchandise as a tangible token of appreciation, such as shirts, water bottles, or custom office supplies.
4. Employee Recognition Gifts: Whether a gift card or a personalized gift, you can show you value their work by gifting them something unique to their interests and hobbies.
5. Travel Opportunities: Recognize top performers with travel opportunities, whether at a company retreat or attending a relevant industry event.
6. Goal Achievement Bonuses: Offer monetary or non-monetary bonuses for employees who consistently meet or exceed performance goals.
7. Gamified Recognition Programs: Create gamified systems where employees earn points or badges for achievements, adding an element of fun to the recognition process.
8. Learning and Development Budgets: Empower employees by providing budgets for learning and development, allowing them to choose courses or certifications relevant to their roles.
9. Mentorship Opportunities: Acknowledge experienced employees by offering mentorship opportunities, allowing them to share their knowledge and guide others.
10. Project Ownership: Empower employees by entrusting them with ownership of projects, recognizing their skills and commitment.

6 Celebration Employee Recognition Examples

Get your teams together to celebrate employee milestones, holidays, or corporate successes. Celebration activities can be the perfect way to build connections, honor achievement, and foster a positive workplace culture. Here are some ways you can use celebrations as a way to show appreciation to your employees:

1. Team Building Activities: Celebrate accomplishments with team-building activities, whether it’s a virtual game night, a picnic, or an offsite retreat.
2. Inclusive Celebrations: Ensure recognition efforts are inclusive by considering diverse achievements and milestones that contribute to the team’s overall success. You can also use this to improve DEI efforts by celebrating diverse holidays.
3. Project Completion Celebrations: Acknowledge the successful completion of projects with team celebrations, whether a small gathering or a virtual toast.
4. Surprise Breakfasts: Start the day off right by surprising the team with breakfast, whether it’s a catered meal or a team potluck. However, if breakfast isn’t your team’s thing, you can also cater lunch!
5. Work Anniversaries: Recognize employees’ commitment to the company by celebrating their work anniversaries. These celebrations can be as simple as a group anniversary card or an all-out party. 
6. Birthday Celebrations: Celebrate employees’ birthdays with small gestures, such as a group birthday card, cake, or a small birthday party during lunch.

7 Written and Verbal Employee Recognition Examples

One of the most accessible and meaningful employee recognition types to implement is simply telling them you appreciate them. Whether you tell them during a quarterly meeting, write your comments on a thank you card, encourage peer recognition, or celebrating an employee appreciation event, most employees just want to know that you see and value their work. 

What is more, written and verbal recognition can be done frequently and by anyone, fostering a positive and encouraging workplace environment. Some examples of ways you can express your gratitude are: 

1. Peer-to-Peer Shoutouts: Encourage employees to recognize their colleagues’ achievements through an employee shout-out board. Doing so will foster a sense of camaraderie as colleagues notice the good in their coworkers.
2. Employee Spotlights: Feature employees in newsletters, on the company website, or during team meetings, showcasing their achievements and contributions.
3. Social Media Recognition: Celebrate success on social platforms to give public recognition and showcase your company’s positive culture.
4. Meeting Shout-out: Recognize achievements during company meetings, giving employees a platform to share their success stories.
5. Company-Wide Recognition Emails: Send out regular emails acknowledging outstanding achievements, ensuring that everyone in the company is aware of and celebrates one another’s successes.
6. Coffee or Lunch Meetings: Take the time to connect with employees over a casual coffee or lunch, providing an opportunity to express gratitude personally.
7. Personalized Notes from Leadership: Personalized notes expressing gratitude for a job well done can have a profound impact, showing employees that their efforts are noticed and valued.

42 Employee Recognition Messages

Expressing specific, genuine appreciation for your colleagues and employees is one of the most important ways to help others feel recognized. As more opportunities to share gratitude to your teams arise, you may find yourself looking for more things to say. Below are some examples of employee recognition messages to help get you started:

Performance Employee Appreciation Messages

•  “Congratulations on exceeding your sales targets this month! Your dedication and hard work inspire the rest of the team.”
• “You did an incredible job. Because of your outstanding performance, our company reached higher revenue levels. Thank you!”
• “[Name], thank you for your hard work on [Project X]. Because of your skills and dedication, you’ve directly impacted the company’s success. Keep up the good work!”
• “You’ve done an incredible job with your own work, as well as helping your colleagues with their tasks and playing a leadership role within your project team. It’s no easy feat to do so on such a high-stakes and complex project, and I wanted to commend you personally on your great performance.”
• “The results you have achieved are impressive. We are so grateful to have someone like you on our team who is willing to go above and beyond to achieve such great success for our team.”
• “Good performance doesn’t just happen. It requires hard work, dedication, and resiliency. Know that each and every one of you are seen and appreciated for being able to get us where we wanted to go.”

Attitude and Soft Skill Employee Recognition Messages

• “Your consistent positive attitude has made a huge difference in our team. Thank you for being you.”
• “Thank you for your positivity. No matter what the day brings, you deal with it with a smile and an eagerness to find solutions.  We are grateful for you!”
• “I wanted to reach out and sincerely thank you for the incredibly positive attitude you bring to work every day. I have noticed how your positivity, can-do personality, amazing work ethic, and compassion always make a huge difference in team morale and all your work.”
• “You have excellent communication skills that bring value to our team. Your ability to listen and convey ideas contributed to our success.”
• “I believe the team benefited more from your guidance and expertise than anything. Thank you for your positive attitude toward getting things done and educating others along the way.”
• “Your excellent leadership skills have made a huge difference to our team. We appreciate how you can inspire and motivate others to achieve their best.”
• “Your abilities to collaborate and work as a team are unparalleled. I appreciate how you always prioritize the success of our team.”
• “Your steadfast commitment to excellence to the team and your enthusiasm truly set you apart. I appreciate how you always perform at your best.”

Employee Recognition Messages About Work Ethic

• “Your hard work and determination don’t go unnoticed. We appreciate your dedication to improving processes and always being ready to go the extra mile.”
• “It’s rare to come across people who are so dedicated and trustworthy. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed.”
• “Your willingness to take on challenging tasks and ability to produce high-quality work make all the difference to our company.”
• “Your work ethic and involvement are admirable, and we are fortunate to have someone as dedicated as you onboard!”
• “Only an exemplary employee inspires his boss on a daily basis. You are that employee. Thank you for setting such a great example for everyone in our company!”
• “You never do just a good job when you can do a great one. Thank you for the time and effort you put into everything you do!”

Employee Recognition Messages from Managers or Employers

• “An employee’s hard work is the fuel to great company culture. Thanks for adding extra miles to ours.”

• “I’ll bet you didn’t think if anyone was watching you while you invested those extra hours. You were wrong, and I would like to thank you for everything you have done so far. Yours sincerely, (Name).”
• “Words will fall short if I am to praise you for everything you have done for the company. However, this won’t stop me from telling you how valuable you have become for us now. I wish you all the success in life!”
• “I’m so grateful that you’re not afraid to ask questions! It helps me be a better leader.”
• “I love that you make such insightful comments during meetings. It makes my job a lot easier!”

Peer Recognition Messages

• “An individual who prioritizes the team before self deserves utmost appreciation. And you are one such individual. Thank you for everything!”
• “Your positive attitude and perspective have been invaluable as I’ve navigated various hiccups. Thank you for your mentorship.”
• “You are best example of the perfect coworker. Thank you for going out of your way to ensure I feel valued and listen to my concerns.”
• “You make working on projects more enjoyable. Thank you for bringing humor and light into the workday!”
• “I am grateful for all the coffee vent sessions and general life advice you give me daily. I am grateful that you are not only a colleague but a friend.”
• “The office kitchen is always spotless after you’ve been there! Thank you for keeping it so clean.”
• “Thank you for always supporting me in my efforts in our team, even when you disagree. Your support means a lot to me.”

Work Anniversary and Milestone Employee Recognition Messages

• “I don’t know how we could have made it through this year without you! Happy workplace anniversary!”
• “Your exemplary commitment over the years has been pivotal to this company’s success.”
• “Thank you for all of your years of service here at our company. You have been such a great member of the team, and you will be missed.”

• “Congratulations on your retirement. I cannot put into words how much I’ve enjoyed working with you. There will be a giant hole here in the office without you.”
• Our office wouldn’t be the same without you. Thank you for continuing to commit yourself to the company every day. Happy Birthday!”

Employee Recognition Messages to Say Thank You

• “Your exceptional teamwork and dedication never cease to amaze me. Thank you for all you do—it truly makes our workplace a better place.”
• “You, my friend, are a real gem. Your hard work and dedication, paired with that infectious positive attitude, create such a significant difference in our team dynamic. Big thank you for being such a powerful force among us.”

• “Thank you for always showing us the right way with your attention to detail. We feel lucky to have someone like you amidst us. Cheers!”
• “Let me tell you that you are as impressive as your work. Thank you for being a part of our team.”
• “Thank you for your mentorship over the years. You never needed to, but you have put countless hours into ensuring I know the best practices and giving advice. I appreciate your efforts.”

Recognize Your Employees with a Card

If you could only pick one of the employee recognition examples shared to implement today, send an online group card with Kudoboard. A Kudoboard can be used to celebrate any occasion, from employee milestones to “thank you” cards. These online greeting cards are the perfect way for a human resource department to gather messages, photos, videos, and GIFs in one place so your employees know how much you value them. 

Effective employee recognition is more than just a one-size-fits-all endeavor. It requires a thoughtful, varied approach that aligns with your company culture and the unique preferences of your team members. By incorporating a mix of these 72 employee recognition examples and messages, you can foster a positive, motivated, and engaged workforce that propels your organization to new heights.