Strange Items of Recognition Given to Employees

Two-thirds (66%) of workers surveyed by staffing firm OfficeTeam said they’d likely leave their job if they didn’t feel appreciated. That’s up from 51% who responded that way in 2012. More than half (54%) of senior managers interviewed believe it’s common for staff to quit due to lack of recognition.

Employees polled were asked to recount the strangest form of recognition they’ve received at work. Here are some of their responses:

• “A loaf of bread”
• “A CD of music written and performed by a coworker”
• “A custom statuette of me”
• “Edible flowers”
• “A large carving of a polar bear”
• “An expired gift certificate”
• “A golden key to an executive bathroom that didn’t exist”
• “Socks”
• “A misspelled plaque”
• “A plush toy”
• “Fresh meat from a hunting trip”
• “A foam tombstone”
• ”A jacket that was too short with sleeves that were too long”
• “Grocery coupons”
• “A $0.03 raise”

Workers were also asked to describe the best form of appreciation a boss or colleague had given them. Their responses included:

• "A handwritten thank-you card from the chief operating officer"
• "A new car"
• "Being named employee of the year"
• "An all-expenses-paid trip to Jamaica"
• "A donation to a nonprofit in my name"
• "A message sent to all employees acknowledging my work"
• "Baseball playoff tickets behind home plate"
• "A day off"
• "A fancy watch"
• "Being flown to corporate headquarters and receiving a plaque"
• "An awards show-style event"
• "A large bonus"
• "Lunch at a private club"
• "A key stakeholder sent a complimentary email to my supervisor"
• "A surprise party after completing a task"

The surveys of workers and senior managers were conducted by independent research firms and include responses from more than 750 workers 18 years of age or older and employed in office environments, and 600 senior managers at companies with 20 or more employees, in the United States and Canada.