New research suggests that monetary value in recognition programmes plays a significant role in how employees feel about their workplace – and that recognition tied to clear, redeemable value can have a measurable impact on how employees perceive their organisation and their colleagues.
That’s according to employee recognition provider Workhuman’s 2025 Workhuman Global Research Study: The Tangible Value of Appreciation. The report highlights that when recognition carries a tangible reward, belonging increases by 28% and engagement by 21%. Employees who have a very positive experience of recognition and rewards are also 2x as likely to feel motivated and 19x more likely to recommend their company as a best place to work.
According to the findings, 94% of those with a very positive recognition and reward experience say they feel motivated and employees who are recognised with a tangible reward more than twice per year are 34% more likely to feel a sense of belonging.
Frequent redemption of reward points appears to strengthen these outcomes further, with employees who regularly redeem rewards reporting higher levels of connection and a greater likelihood of recognising colleagues in return. The study positions this relationship between recognition, reward and connection as an important driver of overall workplace wellbeing.
How Tangible Rewards Strengthen Social Connection
The research indicates that rewards do more than acknowledge individual contribution. Workhuman reports that 70% of employees use their rewards as gifts for colleagues, friends or family and 56% use points for items that support the wellbeing of loved ones. According to the findings, these choices make employees 25% more likely to feel motivated and 16% more likely to feel connected to colleagues.
The data also shows that employees with positive reward experiences are almost twice as likely to feel connected to coworkers, with 93% expressing strong social connection compared to 48% of those with weaker reward experiences. The ability to redeem rewards easily is another factor influencing employee perception. The study notes that 44% of workers want a simple mobile experience, 40% value clear guidance and 31% want an experience similar to a leading e-commerce site.
The study was conducted by Dynata and surveyed more than 2,500 full-time employees across the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada and Australia.
What Employees Want From a Reward Experience
“Rewards make appreciation concrete. They create stories people remember and a lasting reminder of their contributions,” said Tom Libretto, President of Workhuman. “Our new research confirms that when organizations combine recognition done right with rewards that carry real value and real choice, business outcomes will follow.”
Sarah Whitman, SVP of eCommerce at Workhuman, added, that turning recognition awards into a meaningful reward experience requires breadth, relevance and alignment with personal values.
“To be effective, a rewards experience must feel consumer-grade: mobile, rich with choice and personalised,” she said.