New WorldatWork Survey: Trends in Employee Recognition 2008 Employee Recognition Still Prevalent
A survey released this week by WorldatWork shows employee recognition continues to be important to employers. 89 percent of companies use recognition programs as part of their human resources strategy, up from 84 percent in 2002. 96 percent report their recognition strategy aligns with their organization strategy.
The top three recognition programs are:
-- Length of service (86%)
-- Above and beyond (79%)
-- Peer-to-peer (42%)
Top tangible recognition awards presented to employees include:
--Certificates and/or plaques (78%)
--Cash (60%)
--Gift certificates (51%)
Companies today are realizing there are some tangible benefits to having recognition programs in place. The most common objectives for having recognition programs include:
--Create a positive work environment (77%)
--Motivate high performance (71%)
--Create a culture of recognition (69%)
“In the current tug of war between workers’ demands for higher wages to pay for higher living costs and companies looking to cut costs, recognition programs play a key role in creating a positive environment,” said Alison Avalos, the practice leader for WorldatWork who focuses on recognition. “As such, we expect budgets for recognition programs – currently at 2.7 percent of payroll – to rise steadily. It will continue to be a critical component of an organization’s total rewards toolkit.”
Key survey findings:
--81% of organizations do not have a formal training program for managers about the organization’s recognition programs
--64% of survey respondents have a budget for recognition programs
--58% of survey respondents report that their HR department administers the majority of their company’s recognition programs
--52% of organizations do not have a written strategy behind their recognition programs
--47% of organizations are considering implementing new or additional recognition programs in the next 12 months
--36% of organizations do not measure the success of their recognition programs
About the Survey
The 2008 WorldatWork “Trends in Employee Recognition” survey was conducted in December 2007. Surveys were sent electronically to a random representative sample of 4,617 WorldatWork members in the United States. There were a total of 554 responses received for a 12-percent response rate. The survey’s margin of error should not exceed +/- 3 percent.
Journalists may request a complimentary copy of the full survey report by contacting Marcia Rhodes, marcia.rhodes@worldatwork.org or (480) 304-6885.
About WorldatWork®:
The Total Rewards Association
WorldatWork (www.worldatwork.org) is a global human resources association focused on compensation, benefits, work-life and integrated total rewards to attract, motivate and retain a talented workforce. Founded in 1955, WorldatWork provides a network of nearly 30,000 members in more than 100 countries with training, certification, research, conferences and community. It has offices in Scottsdale, Arizona and Washington, D.C.
The WorldatWork group of registered marks includes: WorldatWork®, WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals®, Alliance for Work-Life Progress® or AWLP®, Certified Compensation Professional® or CCP®, Certified Benefits Professional® or CBP, Global Remuneration Professional or GRP®, Work-Life Certified Professional™ or WLCP®, Certified Sales Compensation Professional™ or CSCP™, workspan®, and WorldatWork ® Journal.
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