Going the Extra Mile to Reward Colleagues

The search is on for people who show outstanding commitment and drive in small and medium sized UK businesses, as Recognition Express launches the fourth annual Recognition Awards.

The Awards offer employers and staff the chance to acknowledge colleagues' loyalty and effort. This year, the focus is on employees who have gone the 'extra mile' and the Awards are open to any member of staff - whether it's the tea lady or managing director - in organisations with fewer than 200 employees. It doesn't matter how long they've worked at the company and it's completely free to nominate someone.

Recognition Express created the Awards in 2004, in response to a worrying trend towards high levels of absenteeism and low levels of motivation in many small businesses.

Nigel Toplis, managing director of Recognition Express, explained: "More and more businesses are realising that a hppy workforce is a successful workforce. Employee recognition is also a key factor in staff satisfaction and motivation, and can be more important than a pay rise. But many organisations do little to acknowledge individual employee achievement.

"What managers need to realise is that recognising staff doesn't have to be costly or time consuming and could be as simple as running an 'employee of the month scheme' or giving staff an extra day off for a job well done. That's what the Recognition Awards are all about - in the short term they're an easy and simple way to make someone's day and long-term they could boost your team's morale and increase productivity."

Nomination forms are available by clicking here or by calling 01242 245789. The deadline for entries is 31st July 2007 and regional judging will take place in September. The national winner will be announced at a ceremony in October.