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Social Recognition is Essential for Employee Recognition Systems

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Social Recognition is Essential for Employee Recognition Systems


In an era when digital socializing has become an essential part of almost every individual’s life, simply presenting rewards and certificates to employees might not be enough. Therefore, in today’s world, understanding the significance of social recognition and integrating it into employee recognition systems is of the utmost importance for organizations.     

Social recognition is not just about using public social media channels, but about highlighting the achievements and efforts of their employees across the organization. Recognition by peers is the key to social recognition. Recognition by management is important for employees, but social recognition is the icing on the cake. 

Why is Social Recognition so Important?

Social recognition is critical for employee recognition. Hence, it should be integral to employee rewards and recognition programs.

The most important benefits are as follows:

1. Creates a Sense of Pride

Awards Event

Social recognition gives employees a deep sense of pride in their work and enhances their self-worth significantly.

2. Feel Valued

Top Management Role in Employee Rewards and Recognition

Being recognized socially assures employees that their peers value them enough to highlight their contributions and efforts on a public platform proudly.

3. Feel Integrated

Social Recognition as a Multiplier for Employee Recognition?

Peer-to-peer recognition ensures that the employees feel accepted, acknowledged, and appreciated for their hard work and contributions by their coworkers.

4. Inspires Others

Integrate Reward and Recognition with Innovation Efforts

Social recognition motivates other workforce members to have higher performance levels and get similar recognition.

How to Integrate Social Recognition in Employee Recognition Systems?

Organizations need to integrate social recognition into their employee recognition programs effectively. Therefore, they should take a few key steps towards this, as described below: 

Social Recognition is Essential for Employee Recognition

1. Promote the Concept of Peer Recognition

Integrating Employee Recognition with the Organizational Culture

Employee recognition should start with coworkers themselves; peer recognition should be promoted among the workforce. Hence, management should empower employees to appreciate the efforts and achievements of their coworkers directly without waiting for the approval of their supervisors. Employees should feel free to approach and praise their peers for a well-done job.

2. Use Technology to Streamline the Process

Social-Visibility

Another effective way to streamline the recognition process is to use the right technology platform. Investing in recognition platforms can make it easier for employees to send ‘Thank You’ e-cards to co-workers. At the same time, it enables HR to keep track of employees who their peers appreciate.  Effective employee recognition software with a built-in digital wall of fame can assist in social recognition.

3. Make it a Part of the Organization’s Culture

Enable Social Recognition for Innovators 

Social recognition needs to become an integral part of the organizational culture. There are many forums for social recognition, such as team meetingsoffline or virtual, emails, discussion groups, sticky notes, etc. Social recognition can help build a self-sustaining culture of appreciation without constant intervention from HR.

Bottom-line

Social recognition is all about publicizing the efforts and achievements of employees in a manner that inspires other members of the workforce to perform better and get similar recognition.

Sagar Chaudhuri

Lead author: Sagar Chaudhuri, the Co-Founder and CEO of HiFives. He is an HR Tech Evangelist with over 25 years of corporate and entrepreneurship experience. In the past, Sagar has worked in leadership roles with companies such as Genpact, Infosys, and ICICI Bank. He has an engineering degree from IIT Kharagpur and an MBA from IIM Lucknow. Connect on LinkedIn

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HiFives is a global employee rewards, recognition and engagement SaaS platform that enables organizations to digitize, automate and transform their employee experience. It is used by 100+ large enterprises, small businesses and startups in manufacturing, retail, technology, financial services and media, across 25+ countries.