Where Employee Recognition and Social Media Meet

Top 25 Companies for Work-Life Balance 2013

As the thinking on the most effective methods of employee recognition evolves, technology may begin to play a larger part. Managers and HR are now considering the potential of social communications in employee recognition programs. But the downsides must be thought out, as well.

A new survey of over 400 HR professionals, sponsored by global employee recognition provider Michael C. Fina and conducted by human capital advisors Accelir, looked at present and planned employee recognition practices, including the addition of social media to the mix.

“Rewards and Recognition: 2014 Trends Report” found that, while HR and prospective employees alike are very comfortable and satisfied with the addition of social media tools to recruiting, the same is not true in recognition and rewards programs.

Over 82 percent of respondents to the survey said they don’t use social media in recognition and rewards programs, and 55 percent don’t want it in their rewards programs. And as employees, they are uncomfortable with the concept, as well: Only 25 percent indicated that they were comfortable with information on rewards being shared on social media. The report’s authors conclude that it will be another three years before social media use with these recognition efforts reaches a level comparable to its use in recruiting.

Another sign of the times: With the average employee tenure at a company falling steadily, 70 percent of respondents said they feel employees should be recognized earlier – at the completion of the first year of employment – than later. If you wait until year five, a practice that those of us of a certain age are accustomed to, you may not have anyone left to recognize or reward.