How to Run an Employee of the Month Program That Works
An employee of the month program works when everyone understands how to win, the choice feels fair, and the winner gets a moment that people remember. Skip any one of those and the program turns into a chore that staff roll their eyes at. This guide walks you through each step, with sample criteria and real ideas you can use this month.
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How do you set up an employee of the month program?
Work through these ten steps in order. Most programs can be ready in a week.
- Pick a goal. Do you want better attendance, safer work, stronger customer service, or simply more thank-yous? One goal keeps the program focused.
- Decide who is eligible. Full-time, part-time, and seasonal staff can all be included. Many teams skip managers so peers get the spotlight.
- Write the criteria. Use three to five items, each one something you can see. A sample list is below.
- Open nominations. Let any coworker nominate someone with a short form or a shared inbox. Ask for one or two sentences about what the person did.
- Choose how the winner is picked. Use a selection committee of three to five people, or a team vote, or a mix of both.
- Set a cadence. Pick a date, such as the first Monday of each month, and stick to it.
- Plan the announcement. Share the news in a team meeting, on the company chat, and on a shared wall.
- Create the recognition moment. The winner should hear why they won, in front of peers, from someone who works with them.
- Choose the reward. See the award and reward ideas below.
- Track everything. Keep a simple sheet with the month, winner, and reason.
What are good employee of the month criteria?
Vague criteria like "works hard" invite arguments. Good employee of the month criteria describe behavior that anyone could point to. Here is a sample list you can copy and adjust:
- Reliability: Shows up on time, covers a shift when asked, and follows through on promises.
- Teamwork: Helps a coworker finish a task or shares knowledge without being asked.
- Customer care: Solves a problem for a customer or client and leaves them happy.
- Initiative: Spots an issue and fixes it, or suggests an idea that the team uses.
- Safety and quality: Follows safe practices and catches mistakes before they reach a customer.
- Attitude: Stays positive and respectful during a busy or stressful stretch.
Ask nominators to name at least one of these in their note. That single rule keeps nominations honest and makes the final choice much easier to explain.
How do you choose the employee of the month fairly?
Fairness is the part staff notice most. If you are unsure how to choose employee of the month winners, a few habits protect it.
Use a short scoring sheet. Give each nominee a score from one to five on each criterion, then add them up. The numbers keep favorites from steering the result.
Pick a committee that changes. Rotate one or two members every few months so no one person holds the decision for a year.
Hide the nominator's name from the committee if you can. Judging the story, not the storyteller, is a good habit.
Set a cooling-off rule. Many teams say a winner cannot win again for six or twelve months. This gives everyone else a real shot and helps you avoid the "same people every month" problem.
Explain the result. Even a short note to nominees who did not win, such as "Thank you for the nomination, the committee loved your story about the late delivery," keeps morale up.
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What are the best employee of the month award ideas?
The best employee of the month award ideas mix something to display with something the person enjoys. Here are the options teams use most.
A wall plaque with a new plate each month
A perpetual plaque holds a column of small engraved plates. Add one plate for each winner, and the plaque becomes a visible history of your team. Hang it in a break room, lobby, or hallway so everyone walks past it daily. Decoration is engraved or printed, depending on the style, so check the product page or ask for a free proof.
An individual desk award
A winner also likes something to take home or keep on the desk. A desk award with their name and the month gives the moment a lasting object. A clear piece from the acrylic awards collection is one option, and the style that fits your office is easy to browse.
An employee of the year plaque
Bring the twelve monthly winners together at year end. An employee of the year plaque, chosen from that group by a vote, gives the program a big finish. It also gives monthly winners a reason to keep going. For a wider look at what to give across your whole team, browse our employee recognition awards.
More ideas for employee of the month: non-physical employee of the month rewards
Not every reward needs to be an object. These employee of the month rewards cost little and are often the most loved:
- A reserved parking spot for the month
- A team lunch, or a lunch out with the boss
- Extra paid time off, such as a long lunch or an early finish
- First pick of shifts or projects for the month
- A handwritten thank-you note from a senior leader
- A day working from a spot of their choice
If you want more employee of the month reward ideas, ask past winners what they would have liked. You may be surprised. And if you are searching for prizes for employee of the month that fit a small budget, time and choice often beat gifts.
What are the common mistakes to avoid?
The same people keep winning. This is the biggest program killer. Use the cooling-off rule and keep a winners sheet so patterns show up early.
Criteria that are vague. If no one can say what wins, the choice feels like a popularity contest.
No follow-through. A program that skips months tells staff you do not mean it. Put the date in the calendar for the whole year.
A hidden announcement. If the winner is only told by email, the recognition never reaches the team. Do it out loud.
One reward for everyone. A gift card that suits one person can feel empty to another. Offer a short menu and let the winner pick.
Ignoring quiet contributors. Some of your best people do not ask for attention. Encourage nominations for back-office and behind-the-scenes work too.
How do you run a program for remote or hybrid teams?
Remote and hybrid teams can join in with a few tweaks. Collect nominations in a shared form so people in any location can take part. Announce winners in a video call and in the team chat, and post a photo of the award in a shared channel. Ship the desk award to the winner's home so they have something to keep in view, and mention it on the next call. Pair the reward with something that works at a distance, such as extra time off or a meal delivery.
The link between recognition and staying power is covered in how promotional products boost employee morale and retention. It is a useful read if you need to explain the program to leadership.
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How do you finish the award itself?
Keep the wording short. A name, the month, and one line about the reason is enough. If you want ideas, our guide to award plaque wording examples has sample lines you can borrow. For the shape of the award itself, the award shapes guide shows what each style says about the honor. You can also browse the full range on the custom awards and recognition page.
Frequently asked questions
How often should you give an employee of the month award?
Once a month is the standard, and it works well for most teams. Larger companies sometimes pick a winner per department each month. Smaller teams of ten or fewer may prefer every other month, so the honor feels earned and the same people do not repeat.
Who should decide the employee of the month?
A small committee of three to five people is the fairest choice, with a rotating member or two. Some teams add a peer vote to the committee's shortlist. Avoid leaving the decision to one manager, because staff may feel it reflects favorites.
Should managers be eligible for employee of the month?
That depends on your goal, but many teams keep it for non-managers so peers get the spotlight. If managers are included, judge them by the same written criteria. You can also run a separate leadership honor at year end.
What should you give the employee of the month?
Give a mix of something to display and something to enjoy. A wall plaque plate plus a desk award covers the display side, and a reserved parking spot, lunch, or extra time off covers the enjoyment side. Let the winner choose when you can.
How do you keep employee of the month from becoming a popularity contest?
Use written criteria, a scoring sheet, and a rotating committee. Ask nominators to describe what the person did, not how much they like them. A cooling-off rule also stops the same names from returning every month.
What is the difference between employee of the month and employee of the year?
Employee of the month honors one person for a single month of strong work. Employee of the year is chosen from those monthly winners and honors the whole year. Many teams give the yearly winner an employee of the year plaque at a special event.
Keep reading: Employee Award Ideas and Categories helps you plan every other honor on your list, Retirement and Years of Service Award Ideas covers longer milestones, and Award Plaque Wording Examples gives you lines to engrave.
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