Everyone remembers the employee of the month popularized by McDonald’s. If this form of employee recognition still exists, is it still relevant? What are the new trends? Tour of the question with two specialists.
Posted at 5:00 a.m.
The photo and name displayed on the wall near the checkout counters at McDolnald’s captured the imagination of many customers waiting for their order.
“It was visionary, because it’s been a long time and we still remember it, says Dorice Lévesque, vice-president, PVRH recruiting firm, on the phone. Today, we call it the employer brand, and it was a success. »
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, THE PRESS
Dorice Lévesque, Vice-President, PVRH recruitment firm
McDonald’s Canada has been unable to trace the date of creation of its legendary recognition program. While it still exists, more have been added, the fast food chain says via email. Whether it’s the scholarships offered to students who work in the restaurant or the discounts on groceries.
The employee of the month has been copied by many employers. Even if it belongs to another era, this form of recognition is still used in certain businesses, confirm the two specialists consulted by The Press. Especially in retail and restaurants where the employees are young students, who get their first job and work part-time.
Crossed at Adidas, an 18-year-old sales consultant confirms that the program still exists in several stores, but the name of the chosen one is displayed in the back of the store. “I myself was the employee of the month at McDonald’s,” says Michael Caldera. I found that very motivating. It encouraged me to do less interesting shifts. The goal was to find the indispensable employee on the floor, the one who could do both the cash register and the kitchen. We were rewarded with gift cards. »
Favorite of the month
However, the tool reached its limits a long time ago. Many employers have failed to publicize criteria that are fair, neutral and achievable by all.
“Even if you have a good intention as an employer, it can be badly perceived, says Dorice Lévesque. It has to be done fairly and not according to the mood of the decision maker or on criteria that would be discriminatory. It shouldn’t be perceived as the darling of the month. It can create unhealthy competition. »
“A client who came to me with this program, I would ask him about his objectives and whether he really achieved them,” says Julie Lajoie, CHRP, director of the Altrum recognition business line, who specializes in workplace recognition solutions.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY ALTRUM RECOGNITION
Julie Lajoie, CHRP, director of the Altrum reconnaissance business line
“If the goal is to motivate and engage people and there are issues with transparency, perceived favoritism, which ultimately cause more frustration than positive impact, except on the person who becomes the employee of the month, this program is useless. »
Motivate in fashion of 2022
According to human resources specialists, new tools that are more efficient and better adapted to the reality of 2022 exist. Like telecommuting, flexibility and work-family balance, which are fashionable and now essential, raises Dorice Lévesque.
While no one can predict whether new recognition trends will last as long as the employee of the month, they are definitely designed for today’s employees because they are personalized. This is also the watchword for employers who are fighting to retain their best candidates, and even the worst.
Some are going to need to be told in words, while others are going to prefer something tangible like a trophy or a gift. A law firm downtown and a plant in Saint-Georges en Beauce will not have the same needs.
Julie Lajoie, CHRP, director of the Altrum reconnaissance business line
Some tools are simple and very popular, says Dorice Lévesque. “Just say hello in the morning, have a nice weekend, thank you for your work, talk to employees about the company’s challenges, consult them on the issues, hear their vision or thoughts, ask for their opinion on a subject. If you only knew how much it values and mobilizes them! »
Who is still waiting for his watch?
Swiping Gen Z employees and zapping Xers don’t care about waiting 25 years for a watch. They want us to highlight their successes as they happen, live, and what’s more, in front of all the other colleagues. Otherwise, another employer will do it.
“Today, it’s instantaneous, observes Julie Lajoie. I have to feel recognized here and now, not in five years, not in six months. »
“With the new generations, social recognition is also increasingly fashionable,” she continues. Employees need to be recognized in front of others. When we are in hybrid mode or telecommuting, we use social recognition threads like Enkourage. »
The two specialists also insist on the importance of recognition between peers, because often, colleagues are at the forefront of successes. “As a colleague, I’m more likely to see them first than the principal. The platform allows you to say, for example, that our colleague has just done this, congratulations. »