Peer recognition program
A peer recognition program lets colleagues thank each other directly. Here is how to start one, with messages to copy.
In a peer program, recognition travels sideways, between colleagues, rather than only from manager to employee. People often know best who helped them, and a thank-you from a colleague tells the person their work mattered to the people next to them.
Pick a place to post
A shared chat channel, a board in the break room or a weekly slot in the team meeting.
Show people how
Share 3 or 4 examples of a good message, so people see what specific looks like.
Have managers go first
People copy what they see. If managers post first, others follow.
Keep it open to everyone
Anyone can thank anyone, including people in other teams.
Read it regularly
The program owner reads the posts every week and makes sure nobody is always left out.
Share the highlights
Include 2 or 3 posts in the monthly newsletter so the program stays visible.
10 peer recognition messages to copy
Change the names and details.
Thanks, [name], for staying late on Tuesday to help me finish the report. It meant I could hand it in on time.
Thanks, [name], for showing me how to set up the new system. I would still be stuck without it.
Thank you, [name], for taking my shift on Friday. It made a difficult week easier.
[Name] found the cause of the delay in the order process. Fixing it saved all of us time this week.
Thank you, [name], for listening when I was worried about the deadline. It helped to talk it through.
[Name] checked the figures again before sending them and found 2 errors. That was good work.
Thanks, [name], for making me feel welcome in my first week. You introduced me to everyone.
[Name] stayed with a difficult customer until the problem was fixed. The customer wrote to say thank you.
[Name] noticed the form was confusing people and rewrote it. We have had fewer questions since.
Thank you to [team] for turning around our request so quickly. It let us meet the date.
What to watch for
- Popularity contests. If recognition goes to the same few, look at who gets left out and ask the program owner to encourage others.
- Vague messages. "Great job" is fine, but a message that says what the person did is what they keep.
- Mandatory quotas. Asking people to post a set number each week produces short, empty messages.
- Recognition tied to pay. Keep peer recognition separate from pay decisions, or people may start trading thanks.
Questions
What is a peer recognition program?
A peer recognition program is a way for colleagues to thank and recognize each other directly, usually through a shared channel, board or meeting.
Does peer recognition work in a small team?
Yes. In a small team it can be as simple as a weekly round of thanks in the team meeting.