Employee recognition is a retention tool that reinforces and rewards the actions and behaviors you most want to see people repeat. Susan Heathfield suggests that when you consider employee recognition processes, you need to develop recognition that is equally powerful for both the organization and the employee.

To do this..

• Be sure to establish criteria for what performance or contribution constitutes rewardable behavior or actions.
• Allow all employees to be eligible for the recognition.
• The recognition program must supply the employer and employee with specific information about what behaviors or actions are being rewarded and recognized. The means as well as the ends are important.
• Reward anyone who performs at the level or standard stated in the criteria.
• Give the recognition as close to the performance of the actions as possible, so the recognition reinforces behavior you want to encourage.

(From Motivation and Retention Seminar by Dr. Mimi Hull)