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No matter where you work, feeling appreciated at your job makes a big difference. Celebrating accomplishments, big or small, shows team members their efforts matter.
For example, Schneider recognizes its associates with things like award ceremonies and points-based rewards. This helps create a culture that prioritizes appreciation.
Want to do the same in your office? Here are 10 simple yet effective recognition at work examples you can use to make your coworkers feel valued every day.
10 examples of employee recognition
1. Start team meetings with a shoutout.
Kick off your team meetings by acknowledging your colleagues' hard work. Whether it’s for successfully completing a project or skillfully navigating a challenging situation, recognizing their efforts sets a positive tone for everyone.
Example: “Olivia did a great job maintaining her composure and communicating effectively during a difficult call with a client.”
2. Celebrate milestone events.
Occasions like work anniversaries and birthdays are the perfect time to show appreciation. Some companies, like Schneider, offer physical and digital milestone celebration cards that associates can easily order for special life events.
Get the whole team involved with thoughtful gestures like:
- Passing around a card for everyone to sign.
- Decorating workspaces.
- Organizing after-hours activities.
- Highlighting the milestone during a meeting or on a digital platform.
3. Use communication platforms for public praise.
Call out your coworker’s efforts on your team’s communication channel. This gives the whole team visibility to their colleague’s accomplishments and encourages them to share shoutouts, too.
Example: “A big thank you to Alex for fixing the website issues so quickly. Your hard work and dedication are greatly appreciated!”
4. Find moments for face-to-face recognition.
Whether it’s a video call or a quick chat at your coworker’s desk,face-to-face communication adds a personal touch to your interactions.
Example: “Your project outline made things simple by defining clear expectations. Thank you for providing such a detailed and well-organized framework.”
5. Send recognition emails that include leadership.
When you email a colleague about their excellent work, copy in their manager. This ensures their leader is aware of their great performance. It also gives your peer documented positive feedback that could support future reviews or promotions.
Example: “Dan, I wanted to take a moment to recognize the fantastic work you did on the product launch. Your attention to detail and ability to meet tight deadlines made a huge impact, and the results speak for themselves. Keep up the great work!”
6. Send a physical or digital ‘thank you’ card.
Sending your peer a ‘thank you’ card can go a long way in making them feel valued and celebrated.
You can choose to pass around a card for others to sign and deliver it in person or send it through the mail. Alternatively, you can opt for an e-card.
At Schneider, associates can take advantage of company-provided e-cards and digital badges to recognize and celebrate their colleagues’ accomplishments.
7. Create a recognition board.
If you’re feeling creative, transform sticky notes into meaningful tokens of gratitude. Display these notes of appreciation on whiteboards, office walls or shared spaces to foster a culture of recognition and positivity.
Example: “Amy – great job on finishing your latest project. Job well done!”
8. Mail a small token of your appreciation.
Most people love to receive gifts. Gifting a colleague with something like a snack, a coffee or company merchandise is a simple way to show your appreciation. You can either give your gift to them in person or send it through the mail.
9. Record a thank you message.
Create a short video message expressing gratitude for specific contributions. These personal touches take minimal time but feel significant to the recipient.
Send your video through email or a communication platform. That way, colleagues can save the video for future motivation.
10. Leverage company-specific recognition programs.
Some organizations, including Schneider, offer nomination programs for awards or recognition. If your company has awards nights, employee of the month programs or similar initiatives, don't be afraid to nominate one of your deserving colleagues.
These formal recognitions often come with additional benefits for the recipient and company-wide visibility.
How to make your colleague recognition more meaningful
To make your team member recognition meaningful, make sure you’re specific in your praise. Instead of a generic “thank you,” clearly state what you’re thanking your coworker for and what they did exceptionally well. This personal touch makes your appreciation more genuine and impactful.
It’s also important to consider how someone prefers to be recognized:
- Do they enjoy public praise or do they feel more comfortable with private acknowledgment?
- Would they appreciate being highlighted in a team meeting or would that make them uneasy?
- Do they prefer digital communication, like emails, or in-person discussions?
Colleague recognition is a powerful way to build a stronger, more connected team. When everyone is busy working, it’s easy to forget the small things that matter. Take time to acknowledge your coworkers and make their day!
