- When you design your years-of-service recognition program, it is more effective if you offer one personal reward and one company-based reward to each employee. For example, each employee who reaches her five-year anniversary can get a cash reward of $200 and an extra week of paid vacation. The cash reward offers a personal incentive to remain with the company, and the paid vacation time reminds the employee of the company's generosity. Adding vacation time for years of service also motivates other employees to remain with the company.
- Each year, you should recognize and reward those employees who did not take any unscheduled time off during the year. Unscheduled time off affects productivity and the company's bottom line. A cash reward is an appropriate way of thanking employees for their dedication and reliable service through the year. The cash reward can be something along the lines of $100, or it can be given in the form of gift cards to department stores or restaurants.
- Each department has performance management criteria that are used to evaluate the performance of employees. At the end of the year, those employees who exceeded their performance criteria should be recognized. In some cases, the company already has a bonus pay plan in place that rewards employees for overachieving during each quarter. For employees who exceeded performance expectations for the entire year, there should be a separate cash reward and a certificate to commemorate their achievement.
- When your employees do charitable work in the community, that reflects positively on them and the company. A company that encourages its employees to become active in the community develops a positive reputation in the community and the business world. Develop a recognition plan, in conjunction with the charities that your employees work with, that includes public recognition such as a picture in the newspaper and a certificate from the company.