How to Nominate an Employee for Recognition: Criteria and Steps

In the present scenario, recognition has become a key aspect of creating a thriving workplace. It serves as a powerful motivator for employees that validates their endeavors to produce exceptional work and inspires them to strive for excellence and drive productivity. However, recognition programs must adhere to certain regulations to maintain fairness and appeal among employees. Hence, nominating them based on a set of criteria will make the recognition more authentic where their dedication, innovation, and hard work will get its share of acknowledgment.
You may wonder how to proceed with the nomination process. Well, this blog will serve as a guide on how to nominate an employee for recognition, discussing the criteria and steps in detail. These effective steps will ensure their efforts are celebrated and appreciated.

Key Takeaways

What are the Nomination Criteria for Recognizing Employees
What is the process of Nominating a Deserving Employee for Recognition


Nomination Criteria for Recognizing Employees
Before we delve into the process of nominating employees for recognition, we must initially define the criteria based on which we can nominate employees. Clarifying criteria in the first place streamlines the process, making it both easy and rewarding.
In the present scenario, as organizations actively adapt technology to streamline processes, virtual recognition platforms are gaining attention and becoming dominant in use. Utilizing such platforms makes nomination easy and hassle-free. Hence, let us look at the criteria for further understanding.
1. Reflection of Core Values
Every organization adopts a set of core values that serve as guiding principles for its workforce. As a company, you expect your employees to showcase these core values in their daily tasks. Identify specific behaviors and actions that align with your core values, such as teamwork, hard work, energy, data-driven, innovation, and accountability.
Submit nominations by highlighting concrete examples and describing how they impacted the organizational goals. This will foster a culture of appreciation and reinforce the significance of value-driven behavior.
You can mention necessary core values reflected in the individual or group performances through hashtags.

2. Exceptional Performance
Every organization has a percentage of employees willing to exceed their expectations and perform better than the average. From smoothly handling challenging projects to building amazing strategies, they navigate the company in a positive direction. Therefore, it is crucial to nominate them and recognize their exceptional efforts. This could include exceeding targets, exceptional customer service, or consistently producing high-quality work.

3. Loyalty
Loyal employees are undoubtedly invaluable assets of an organization. They stick with the company through thick and thin and contribute to its advancement. As a result, leaders must celebrate their loyalty and recognize the unmatchable value they add to the organization. Nominate employees who demonstrate steadfast commitment, dedication, and allegiance to the organization over time, especially those serving long tenure and consistently supporting organizational goals in challenging situations.
Recognizing long-term employees through service-year awards is a powerful way to honor their dedication and loyalty. These award programs help you nominate employees who have sworn their loyalty for a longer period to the organization for recognition.
4. Leadership and initiative
Developing leadership skills is essential for the growth of employees in an organization, assisted with proper encouragement. Recognition can be a crucial encouragement, especially when they are acknowledged for demonstrating leadership initiatives.
Nominate employees who proactively take charge of things, inspire others, and drive positive organizational change. These employees demonstrate qualities like decisiveness and a willingness to tackle challenges. Examples of leadership and initiative include spearheading successful projects, mentoring colleagues, or proposing innovative solutions to complex problems.
Recognizing such behaviors not only stresses the importance of leadership but empowers employees to take ownership of their work and be accountable for it.
5. Customer Service Excellence
A section of employees is involved in customer-facing roles, and highlighting their impact on customer satisfaction and loyalty is a must. Hence, you must nominate your employees for delivering their exceptional services. The services cover

Positive customer feedback or testimonials
Exceeding limitations to meet customer needs
Resolving complex customer issues
Demonstrating patience, empathy, and professionalism

6. Innovation and Creativity
A company can thrive only when it embraces innovation and creativity as its motto. Employees who involve themselves in innovation and creativity should receive acknowledgment to continue engaging in innovation and creativity. As a matter of fact, you can nominate those for Recognition who think outside the box and develop new ideas to improve products, services, processes, or operations. Instances of innovation and creativity include:

Developing new product/service offerings
Implementing cost-saving initiatives
Finding creative solutions to problems
Increasing productivity through process improvements


Nominating a Deserving Employee for Recognition
After garnering a sound understanding of the nomination criteria, the next step entails clearly understanding the nominating approach. This section will dive into a detailed step-by-step process for nominating deserving employees.
Step 1:Identify a Stellar Performer
The first step allows you to figure out who truly deserves recognition. Here’s how you can find your star performer.
1. Look for the "WOW" Factor
The initial step requires you to identify those employees who have outshone themselves in every step of work. To figure that out, you must ponder over questions like

Did someone consistently exceed expectations?
Did they solve a major problem or close a critical deal?
Have their achievements stood out to significantly benefit the company?

Look for instances among employees who have showcased these queries and have left an impression on you or others.
2. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Team spirit is an essential trait in a true performer. Employees who demonstrate teamwork skills and collaborative efforts positively contribute to the team dynamics. Having said that, you should look for instances where these qualities have been reflected in employees. The instances include the following:

Did any employee go above and beyond to support their colleagues?
Did they mentor a new team member?
Do they share knowledge among teammates to achieve a common goal?
Have their collaborative efforts aligned with the desired result?

How are you going to find them out? Do a performance review and get the help of peers. Ask them for feedback with questions that align with teamwork.
3. Innovation and Initiative
An innovative mindset is the foundation of a growth-oriented organization, and employees engaging in innovation must receive recognition. You simply need to look up instances where they have showcased their true innovative potential, such as:

Did someone come up with a creative solution to tackle challenges?
Did they take the initiative to identify and address a problem?
Do they engage in thinking outside of the box?
Do they possess a willingness to get involved in problem-solving and take initiative?


To find instances of these questions, you can conduct surveys and performance reviews and ask them to cite examples of their innovative approach to addressing and solving the issue. Also, pay attention to them in team meetings or projects and how they creatively propose and implement solutions.
4. Living the Values
Core values are the building blocks of an organization. Employees are meant to adopt these values and showcase them in their work as professionals. A stellar performer aligns with these values. Hence, look out for instances among employees who reflect these core values.

Does the employee consistently embody the core values in their daily work?
Do their interactions and approach to work reflect these values?

You can find instances of these questions by seeking peer reviews. Ask for feedback with questions that align with the reflection of these core values in their interaction and approach to work.

Step 2: Gather Concrete Evidence
Once you've identified a stellar performer, you must gather evidence that strengthens your nomination choice.
1. Quantify Whenever Possible
When you support your key findings with numbers, they become authentic and trustworthy. Similarly, quantifying the efforts and results of a good performer will add weightage to your findings and make the nomination for recognition more authentic. Look for specific and measurable instances of the employee’s achievements or contributions. Use data and metrics to quantify the impact of their actions whenever possible.
2. Examples Speak Louder Than Words
Mere appreciation does not make your work stand out unless concrete instances support it. In the nomination process, provide specific examples, anecdotes, and success stories that illustrate your employees’ behavior or stellar performance.
For instance, instead of claiming that someone is a great team player, highlight a real-life example of how the employee actively collaborated with the team and helped a colleague succeed. This concrete example will itself hint at the obvious.
3. Beyond the Obvious
It is also important to look for evidence or instances more than meets the eye. Look beyond employee’s day-to-day responsibilities to identify additional contributions or accomplishments that were not apparent in the first place.

Did they go the extra mile to help a client?
Did their positive attitude boost team morale?
Did they participate in mentorship programs or volunteer for community initiatives?

Look for factors around leadership potential, mentorship activities, or any contributions to the company culture.
These may be less visible, but they are valuable contributions that you cannot stay blind to.
Step 3: Craft a Compelling Nomination

After gathering all the necessary evidence, it is time to transform your evidence into a nomination.
1. Know your Criteria
As discussed in the previous section, familiarizing yourself with the nomination criteria is necessary while filing for nomination. While every company comes with its own criteria, ensure your nomination is tailored according to them. This will clearly demonstrate whether the employees' efforts fit in the category and whether they deserve the recognition or not.
2. Start Strong
You should always begin your nomination with a powerful, attention-worthy opening sentence. Summarize the employee's accomplishment and its impact on organizational growth. Highlight the employee’s name and position. And mention the specific nomination or award for which it is being nominated.
3. Tell a Story
Merely listing achievements does not really create an impact you wish for. Instead, weave a narrative shedding light on the employee’s actions contributing to the bigger picture and the following positive outcome. Providing the necessary context and details will paint a vivid picture of the employee’s impact within the organization.
4. Highlight Values Alignment
Emphasize how well the employee’s actions are aligned with the company’s core values. Chart down instances where these values were exemplified in their work and how this alignment led to the fulfillment of targeted goals or mission. This will strengthen your nomination.
5. Conclude with Impact
Similar to a strong opening statement, your concluding statement for nomination should also be strong. The ending should have a clear and concise statement that reinforces the employee’s worthiness for recognition.
Recommended Resource: Perfect Messages to Show Appreciation for Good Work
Step 4: Polish and Submit
Once you draft your nomination, you need to polish it by making it error-free and looking for any additional things that require attention.
1. Proofread with a Keen Eye
Any form of error, be it typos or grammatical errors, can undermine your message. Hence, it is necessary to review the nomination through meticulous proofreading. This will make the nomination professionally presentable, bereaved of any errors.
2. Seek Feedback
Before submitting your nomination, seeking feedback from your colleagues, supervisors, or HR professionals is important. Ask for input on the nomination's clarity and effectiveness. The suggestions you receive might be valuable in strengthening your arguments and likewise mold them, if necessary.
3. Meet Deadlines
Never undermine the significance of timely submission. Always make sure to deliver the nomination by the stipulated deadline. Planning things out according to the deadline will give you enough time to review and revise the nomination before the deadline.
Bonus Step: Strengthen Your Nomination
Apart from the basic steps you need to stick to, these additional ways will enhance your nomination to stand out.
1. Quotes from Others
You can include testimonials or brief quotes from colleagues, supervisors, or clients who can validate and add weightage to employee’s contributions and countenance. External validation plays a significant role in strengthening the nomination and providing additional credibility.
2. Visual Aids
Consider including visual aids like charts, graphs, or images that help illustrate employee’s achievements or highlight significant points. Visual elements are an added advantage to make the nomination more engaging and memorable. However, checking the program guidelines before including any visuals is best.
Final Words
Garnering a clear understanding of nominating employees for recognition has indeed solidified your knowledge around nomination. The nomination process reinforces the importance of recognizing exceptional and deserving performances.
Churn out the best results from the nomination process and give the deserving employees their share of recognition.








This article is written by Riha Jaishi , a Content Writer at Vantage Circle. Apart from being an active and keen writer, she is generally found reading books and articles, feasting her eyes on food videos, and binging on her favorite shows and discussing them. For any related queries, contact [email protected]