GiftCard Partners Blog

Today’s workplace is more age-diverse than ever. For the first time in history, five generations are working side by side — from seasoned Traditionalists to Gen Z digital natives. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 165 million people make up the civilian labor force, and participation among those over 75 has more than doubled since 2000. Meanwhile, Gen Z and Millennials now represent nearly half of the U.S. workforce and are reshaping what engagement, flexibility, and purpose look like at work.

We discuss how to implement employee recognition and employee rewards on this blog, but we don’t always discuss why we should spend time and resources on these employee programs. Today, that changes. Here are three positive outcomes of employee recognition that you could (and should) enjoy the perks of when you properly execute an employee recognition program within your organization. These aren’t just our opinion, they have actually been observed by companies who have successfully implemented employee programming.

Whether we know it or not we are living in a professional environment where there is an effective employee recognition gap. That means employees don’t feel recognized and it's an employers responsibility to work on closing that gap. According to a survey commissioned by
recognition company OGO, 82% of employed Americans feel that their superiors are not recognizing them for their contributions. That lack of recognition can take a toll, not only on morale and productivity, but ultimately the overall productivity of the employee, their team, and the organization.

Employee recognition is not just a nice-to-have; it’s a strategic investment in your workforce. Research from Gallup shows that organizations with strong recognition programs experience 59% lower turnover rates and see significant boosts in productivity. Writing an employee recognition letter is a thoughtful and cost-effective way to highlight achievements, build morale, and reinforce positive behaviors.

A lack of recognition at work can severely impact employee satisfaction and retention. Luckily, an effective company recognition program can promote loyalty, boost motivation, and increase productivity.