22 examples of employee recognition questions

What is an employee recognition survey?

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.

Why asking the right retention questions is so important

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.

How do you ask employees how they like to be recognised?

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:

• Pulse surveys: 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.
• Groups discussions: 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.
• 1-2-1 meetings: 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.

Survey template: 22 examples of employee recognition questions

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.

General survey questions about recognition

These basic questions aim to provide a general understanding and measurement of employees’ feelings towards recognition in your workplace.

• Do you feel recognised for your contributions at work? (1 – 10 scale)
• How important is it to you to feel recognised at work? (1 – 10 scale)
• Overall, how satisfied are you with the recognition programmes at our company? (1 – 10 scale)

Survey questions about recognition preferences

These questions aim to gather insights into employees’ personal preferences and feelings around how they like to receive recognition.

• How do you prefer to be recognised for your hard work or achievements?
• How often do you like to receive recognition?
• Do you prefer public recognition in wider team settings or private acknowledgement from your manager?
• What specific types of recognition motivate you most? (e.g. monetary, extra time off, career promotions)
• Whose recognition matters most to you? (e.g. peers, managers, senior leadership).
• Do you prefer recognition that is spontaneous, or tied to specific milestones?

Survey questions about reward and recognition

These questions help to get feedback about what types of rewards and recognition methods employees find most motivating, helping you design effective and meaningful recognition programs. 

• What types of rewards and incentives do you find most motivating?
• How do you feel about non-monetary rewards?
• Are there any specific achievements you believe should recognised with a reward?
• Are there any rewards or recognition methods you find less motivating?
• Do you prefer immediate rewards for smaller achievements or larger rewards for significant milestones?
• On a scale on 1 – 10 how happy are you with the current rewards and recognition program offered at the company?

Survey questions about feeling appreciated

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.

• Do you feel appreciated by your manager? (1 – 10 scale)
• Do you feel appreciated by your peers? (1 – 10 scale)
• When was the last time you felt especially appreciated for your efforts at work?
• Are there times you believe you should receive more acknowledgment for you work?
• Do you feel comfortable expressing your achievements publicly to your team? (1 – 10 scale)
• How does recognition from your peers compare to recognition from your manager in terms of making you feel appreciated?
• How would you describe the overall level of appreciation in your current work environment?

Are you interested in knowing more about employee recognition and surveys for your team? You’re in the right place.

Let’s chat