Employee recognition surveys are essential tools for gauging the effectiveness of your recognition tools and programs and understanding employee satisfaction levels.
Yet, designing effective recognition survey questions can be challenging, especially if you’re new to it, or unsure about what questions to ask.
Here, we’ll provide you with insightful examples of recognition survey questions and a template that you can download for free.
With these examples, you can be confident that you’re asking the right questions to develop a meaningful recognition strategy that resonates with your employees.
Let’s dive in.
An employee recognition survey is a questionnaire used by organisations to gather feedback from employees regarding their recognition experiences, achievements, and suggestions around appreciation within the workplace.
Recognition surveys aim to measure the effectiveness of recognition programs, identify how employees prefer to receive recognition, and celebrate employee contributions.
By conducting these surveys regularly, companies can create a culture of appreciation, boost employee morale, and enhance overall employee engagement.
Research has shown time and time again that asking the right retention questions is crucial for maintaining a motivated and engaged workforce.
According to a Gallup poll, employees who feel recognised are more likely to be engaged at work – resulting in a 21% greater profitability for their organisations compared to their less engaged counterparts.
So not only is recognition impactful on an individual level, but it’s also impact on an organisational level too.
When you prioritise asking the right questions about recognition and other retention factors, you will identify areas to enhance employee satisfaction, reduce turnover, and ultimately drive organisational success.
It’s simply about understanding what matters most to your employees and using this information to create a workplace where everyone feels appreciated.
I had one of the managers ring me just after we launched Shout-outs, she said she had read one sent to her and cried with happiness. That will always stick with me. Stribe is definitely impactful on an individual basis and an organisational one. 
The secret to giving successful recognition is being authentic and personalised.
Not everyone likes to receive thanks in the same way (and that’s okay!).
It’s important to take the time to get to know how your individual team members prefer their recognition.
By doing so, you can create a more inclusive and effective recognition program that resonates with your employees.
Here are a few effective ways to gather this valuable feedback:
Use pulse surveys to directly ask staff about their preferred recognition methods. Include specific questions about types of recognition, such as public praise, monetary rewards, or additional time off, to gain insights into individual preferences.
Organise team focus group sessions where employees can openly discuss and share their thoughts on recognition practices. Encourage participants to provide examples of meaningful recognition they have received in the past and what made it special for them.
Schedule personal meetings between managers and employees to chat about career goals, achievements, and preferences for recognition. This personalised approach will allow managers to build stronger relationships with their team members and tailor recognition efforts accordingly.
We’ve pulled together a list of some common recognition question examples.
Feel free to use this an employee recognition survey template or simply as a starting point for building your own questionnaire.
These basic questions aim to provide a general understanding and measurement of employees’ feelings towards recognition in your workplace.
These questions aim to gather insights into employees’ personal preferences and feelings around how they like to receive recognition.
These questions help to get feedback about what types of rewards employees find most motivating, helping you design effective and meaningful recognition programs.
These questions help you to understand employees’ perceptions of feeling appreciated and valued, providing insights into areas where and how you can enhance recognition efforts.
Are you interested in knowing more about employee recognition and surveys for your team?
About the author
Starting out her early career as a journalist, Jade Madeley is an accomplished content writer with 8+ years’ experience across business, personal finance, SaaS, human resources and employee engagement. Working with Stribe, she crafts insightful content that brings complex HR topics to life and drives meaningful action.
