The End of Employee of the Month: Rethinking Recognition Programs

The picture is a familiar one. It's hanging in a lobby or on a breakroom wall: a smiling face of an employee in a small, framed photo next to a plaque with their name engraved on it. Maybe the photo is even a bit dusty. We’ve all seen the employee of the month award, a well-intentioned but often hollow gesture that has been a staple of workplace recognition for decades.

While the spirit behind these programs is positive, the traditional approach to employee recognition often feels outdated and impersonal in today's work environment. It recognizes someone’s contributions for the entire month, but it leaves behind the other employees and their efforts. It can feel like a popularity contest, leaving many people who consistently contribute to the organization feeling unseen.

What’s the alternative to dusty plaques and inconsistent employee recognition? Building a culture of genuine appreciation isn’t about recognizing one employee from time to time. It requires continuous, personalized recognition, and it’s worth the investment. Here’s why. 

Why the Traditional Approach to Employee Recognition Fails

Many traditional recognition programs, such as employee of the month awards, fall short because they approach recognition with a top-down model, which fails to meet the needs of modern workers who want to recognize and be recognized by their managers and peers. The limitations of these programs are at best superficial and at worst demotivating.

It can create a sense of unfairness. 

Singling out one person each month can unintentionally encourage unhelpful competition rather than collaboration. It’s impossible to capture every valuable contribution, and the selection process can sometimes feel arbitrary, leaving many deserving people wondering what they did wrong.

The rewards are impersonal. 

A generic plaque or a small gift card often doesn't resonate with the individual's values or what they truly find meaningful. What one person finds valuable—a day off, for example—might not matter to another, who might prefer a donation to their favorite charity. 

It's inconsistent and infrequent. 

Employee recognition is treated as a one-time, monthly event rather than a regular part of the work experience. The other 11 months of the year, people may feel their hard work goes unnoticed, diminishing the program's overall impact. Rather than building a strong, appreciative workplace culture, this sporadic approach merely acknowledges a handful of people a few times a year.

The Shift to a Continuous Culture of Employee Recognition

Shifting from a single-winner model to a continuous culture of appreciation means building a system where recognition is a regular and visible part of every workday. This approach is more impactful because it's:

• Personalized: The most effective employee recognition is tailored to the individual. When you empower managers and peers to give meaningful rewards, people can choose gifts or experiences that genuinely matter to them.
• Timely: Recognition shouldn't wait until the end of the month. It should happen in the moment as achievements happen. Acknowledging someone's hard work immediately after they go above and beyond reinforces their positive behavior and makes them feel seen and valued in real time.
• Values-based: An effective employee recognition program is tied directly to your company’s core values. When you recognize someone for demonstrating teamwork, innovation, or integrity, you’re reinforcing what’s truly important to the organization and encouraging others to embody those same behaviors.
• Inclusive: A modern recognition program ensures everyone, from the intern who organized a key meeting to the senior leader who mentored a new hire, has the opportunity to be recognized. This inclusive approach builds a strong sense of community and ensures everyone feels like they have a part to play in the company's success.

The Tangible Benefits of a Thoughtful Employee Recognition Program

Too often, employee recognition programs are seen as a way to make employees feel encouraged and seen. And though this is true, it’s also a strategic business decision that delivers measurable outcomes.

Improve employee morale and engagement.

When people feel seen and valued for their contributions, they’re more engaged in their work. Engaged employees are more productive, innovative, and likely to advocate for your organization.

Boost retention.

Employees who feel appreciated are less likely to leave. A strong employee recognition program increases employee engagement and retention, helping you hold on to your best talent in a competitive market.

Strengthen workplace culture.

A culture of continuous recognition builds a positive, supportive, and collaborative environment. This isn't just a feel-good benefit but also a strategic advantage that reduces burnout and creates a place where people genuinely want to work.

Building a Bridge to a Better Culture

Moving beyond the outdated employee of the month model doesn't mean you have to build a new program from scratch. You can elevate your approach by finding a partner that can provide the expertise and tools to make it happen.

For decades, we’ve worked alongside HR and people leaders to build employee recognition programs that are as unique as the people they celebrate. We provide expert guidance and flexible, technology-enabled solutions that make it simple to manage and scale a personalized, values-driven program. By implementing our software with the guidance of our team, you can evolve your recognition culture that helps your team feel valued and become more productive. 

If you would like to see how a continuous employee recognition program can transform your workplace, schedule a demo to learn how C.A. Short can help you create a culture where every employee feels seen, valued, and safe.