It’s about time someone demystified and explained the differences between recognition and reward. Recognition and reward are two completely different things and are used for different purposes. Okay, so take the Incentive Marketing Association (IMA). When do you give recognition? MORE

Editor's Note: Today's Classic features Derek Irvine with some data and insights about the importance of employee engagement - even (and some might argue especially) in a union environment. In today’s workplace, unions still have power when they need to step in for employee rights. MORE

The following scenarios are built on real life business engagements. Case Study #1: A Story of Manipulation Employee A (Let's call him Carl) had worked for Company X (let's call it Pied Piper ) for a calendar year. Employee Recognition would be leveraged as part of the Performance Management system. Carl asked each of his colleagues to send him a recognition through their peer to peer system. Within a week, Carl shot to the top of Recognition Leaderboard. MORE

As a leader in your company, you already realize the importance of acknowledging your employees for their efforts and contributions. Not only does recognition from management foster morale and job satisfaction, it also reduces absenteeism while increasing retention. MORE

Incentive Magazine revealed employee benefits are more valuable than ever – according to MetLife’s 10th annual study of employee benefits trends, there is a strong relationship between satisfaction with benefits and overall job satisfaction. Rewards and recognition. MORE

What’s the biggest problem when it comes to employee turnover? This often includes, but is not limited to: conducting and analyzing employee surveys and stay interviews. building employee networks/committees. implementing recognition and appreciation programs across organization. MORE

Why do some recognition programs take off with widespread adoption, while others struggle to gain traction or make an impact? The problem is not that some work cultures don’t need recognition – appreciation is a basic human need. What about “free recognition” or “e-thanks”? MORE

“People work for money but go the extra mile for recognition praise and rewards.” This week’s curated articles will get you thinking more about employee recognition and its link back to productivity, retention and more. 1) Trends in Employee Recognition from HR Trend Institute Employee recognition programs, once considered a “nice” but non-essential component of human resources, have changed dramatically over the past five years. MORE

Healthcare HR and Employee Retention: 6 Key Factors to Consider Nov. One of the largest growing concerns among employers across all industries is retaining high-performing and high-potential employees. signing bonus) and offering new job perks,” the report s states. MORE

Employee engagement is a relatively new concept and concern in the work world. It used to be that only top performers received raises, accolades, and bonuses. Some of your best employees might not be “stars” on paper. MORE

But sometimes it is best to look beyond the ‘traditional’ Christmas incentives such as yearly bonuses or a big office party. Some businesses like to give employees the chance for a longer period of time off over Christmas if they can get all of their outstanding work done. MORE

Employee Appreciation Week (or Day, Month, Year; however your organization chooses to celebrate it) provides companies with an annual occasion to be hyper-focused on their employees and express their gratitude in a public manner. MORE