Company award categories cover nearly every conceivable aspect of business. Between in-house employee recognition awards and prestigious business award programs, there’s something for everyone. Meanwhile, recognizing employees is a great way to promote employee engagement while simultaneously reinforcing company values.
Read on for fresh ideas for how to use these two types of awards programs to honor employees most effectively.
The importance of an employee recognition program
Research shows that happy employees are loyal employees. According to another recent study, having an internal system for granting recognition is an easy way to make employees happy and solidify their commitment to your organization. The researchers conclude, “For top managers and industry leaders, the significant role of recognition in enhancing employee engagement cannot be overstated. Companies should prioritize implementing recognition programs that acknowledge employees’ efforts and achievements.”
Giving out employee awards also has other advantages. Research has also shown that award-winning employees don’t just have higher performance before their award is announced, but also afterward. As the study’s authors write, “The performance of winners proves to be significantly higher than that of comparable non-recipients after the award has been presented. This increase in work effort is sizeable, robust, and not driven by reverse causation.”
In short, when employees feel valued, it boosts morale, and they tend to work harder than ever. As a result, their employers reap a bountiful harvest of rewards.
Types of employee recognition awards
Because of the effectiveness of accolades, savvy business leaders go beyond the usual team-member-of-the-month competitions and offer a bevy of additional employee award categories. These not only affirm the company’s core values but also incentivize positive behavior.
For instance, businesses that implement sales awards motivate staff to close more deals. Those with customer service awards can expect company representatives to demonstrate more care when interacting with consumers. Companies that offer innovation awards can anticipate a flood of new ideas. Creative thinkers could become so inspired that new products and services even result.
Ideas for recognition awards
In addition, each department in an organization could have its own rising star awards, as well as leadership awards for effective managers. Possible leadership award titles could include things like the “Competent Commander Award” or “The Fearless Leader.”
Moreover, mentorship awards celebrate senior employees who go above and beyond to help the more junior workforce grow into their roles. Have fun with the award title, calling it something like “The Favorite Professor Award,” “Most Trusted Counselor,” or “Master Pathfinders.”
If your business has great teamwork, then consider recognizing employees for their positive contributions to the company culture. For instance, if someone routinely animates the team’s intranet with entertaining commentary or memes, you could show appreciation by designating them the “Ambassador of Fun.” If someone is always organizing team gifts, outings, or takeout orders, you could give them the honorary title of “Chief Fun Officer.”
For another great recognition award idea, create a team player award. This prize could go to employees who consistently demonstrate pro-social behavior, such as giving credit to the entire team, sharing their insights freely in meetings, and listening to others. The award name for this could be anything from “The Most Prepared” to “Most Valuable Player.” This kind of creative recognition can help identify people who might otherwise get overlooked.
Creative employee award ideas for the whole team
Another important consideration is that if your company uses a physical award, remote team members may feel left out, which could potentially impact employee morale. For this reason, make sure to offer prizes that can be given to people no matter where they are located, like a certificate that can be emailed as an electronic file. Similarly, if your business treats in-person staff to lunch periodically, consider sending your remote staff members a comparable amount of spending money and inviting them to get a meal as well.
Another employee recognition idea is to show appreciation to your top performers by nominating them for external awards celebrating excellence.
External types of awards and employee award categories
Many business leaders overlook external award competitions, but these offer a valuable opportunity to recognize and appreciate skilled employees. Most trade associations and professional organizations sponsor contests that spotlight professionals for their excellent work. For example, designers, advertisers, and marketers can submit applications for various creative awards, such as those for viral social media posts or particularly effective commercials.
While frameworks for internal staff awards serve to validate team members for their contributions, external ones can provide even more meaningful recognition. Unlike internal awards based on peer recognition, which sometimes merely indicate popularity or likability, these professional awards involve independent committees of judges that base their evaluations and selections on demonstrable superiority. This process makes employees feel seen and valued on a whole new level.
Nominating staff for these external awards can also open doors to networking opportunities and help raise awareness of your business, not just in your own industry but across the business world. For instance, finalists are often invited to an awards ceremony where they — and their bosses — get to rub proverbial elbows with the best and brightest in their field.
Importantly, studies also show that when businesses and individuals win these competitions, they see an influx of new business.
Recognize your team members with employee awards in 2026
How many awards does your business offer employees? Do you neglect to nominate staff members for external awards? Make a list of employees who stand out. How can you appreciate them and their valuable teamwork this coming year?
If you’re looking for creative solutions to retain, engage, and motivate employees, then nominating them for both internal and external awards is a great idea. Go beyond the standard employee-of-the-month program, create new value-based awards for your company, and have fun with creative award titles.
Lastly, don’t forget to submit your top talent for external competitions. The whole organization benefits when they achieve recognition on a larger stage.