When recognition awards have monetary value, belonging rises by 28% and engagement by 21%, according to research by employee recognition provider Workhuman.
Its 2025 Workhuman global research study: the tangible value of appreciation report, which surveyed more than 2,500 full-time employees in the US, UK, Ireland, Canada, and Australia, also found that employees who have a very positive recognition and reward experience are twice as likely to feel motivated and 19 times more likely to recommend their organisation as a great place to work.
A total of 94% of those with a very positive recognition and reward experience feel motivated, and those recognised with a tangible reward more than twice per year are 34% more likely to feel they belong. Those who frequently redeem rewards are 34% more likely to feel they belong, and more likely to recognise their colleagues in return.
Almost three-quarters (70%) use rewards as gifts for colleagues, friends, or family, and 56% use points for items that benefit loved ones’ wellbeing, making them 25% more likely to feel motivated and 16% more likely to feel connected to colleagues. Positive reward experiences nearly double the likelihood that employees feel connected to co-workers, at 93% and 48% respectively.
When it comes to what makes a reward points redemption experience enjoyable, 44% want a simple mobile experience, 40% mentioned clear guidance, and 31% want a shopping experience comparable to e-commerce sites.
Tom Libretto, president of Workhuman, said: “Rewards make appreciation concrete. They create stories people remember and a lasting reminder of their contributions. Our research confirms that when organisations combine recognition done right with rewards that carry real value and real choice, business outcomes will follow.”
Sarah Whitman, senior vice president of e-commerce at Workhuman, added: “To be effective, a reward experience must feel consumer grade: mobile, rich with choice, and personalised. This research shows just how significant it can be when employees are able to turn recognition awards into a high-quality, global reward experience that reflects their values, interests, and culture.”
