Recognitions: Step-by-Step Instructions

Recognizing your employees for a job well done, or encouraging their colleagues to do so, is an excellent way to enhance the employee experience. Recognize offers an array of features that can help facilitate an employee recognition program in a seamless, digital manner.

 

See the below menu to jump to specific instructions for each topic on recognitions within Recognize:

Configuring Recognition Settings

Customizing Recognition Badges

Submitting a Recognition

Creating a Recognition Certificate

Viewing Recognition in Your User Profile

Reviewing Recognition Reports

Editing or Deleting Recognitions

 

Configuring Recognition Settings

Determine which recognition settings to enable for your recognition programs via the Company Admin/Settings portal.

1. Select 'Menu' from the top right corner of the screen

2. Select 'Company Admin' from the drop-down to open the Company Admin portal

   NOTE: If you do not see this option, it means you haven't been made a Company Admin for the Recognize platform, and you'll need to reach out to the business owner within your organization to grant this access.
   
   

 

Once in the Company Admin portal:

1. Click 'Settings' on the left-side menu
2. Scroll down to locate the 'Programs' Section
   
   
   
   
3. Toggle on/off each Recognition setting to your organization's preferences:
   
   
   •  Allow SMS notifications for recognitions - Users can get notified by text message(SMS) to their cell phone when they are recognized.
   • Limit sending to within company only - When enabled, recognitions may only be sent to existing users in your organization
   • A message is required to send a recognition - Require each Recognition to include a personalized message from the sender.
   • Limit new recognition to be accessible only to your organization - Turning off this setting will allow new recognitions to be accessible to the public (Google & other search engines, Linkedin, etc.)
   • Allow manager to resolve recognitions they sent - When enabled, managers can approve the recognitions they send to their direct reports.
   • Allow staff to make recognitions private within your company - enables private messages to be sent between users
   • Allow staff to make recognitions private within your company that only sender, recipient, and admins can see - This allows staff to send a personal message to people without others knowing. Note: This will still be visible to the Company Admin.
   • Allow adding tags while sending recognition - Customized tags can be attached to recognitions - e.g. company values, company accounts, etc.
   • Require tags while sending recognition - When enabled, this would require users to add tags to Recognitions.
4. Determine which recognition form settings you'd like users to see and scroll down to configure those in the next section
   
   

 

Customizing Recognition Badges

There are a variety of stock badges already created for your convenience in the 'Custom Badges' section of your Company Admin portal that you can customize to your specifications. However, creating your own custom Badges that align with your specific organizational goals and values is often where some of the greatest value comes from. 

 

Once in the Company Admin portal:

1. Click 'Custom Badges' on the left-side menu
2. Your screen will default to the 'Recognition' tab in the top right tertiary menu, and you'll select the 'Create Badge' button just below that to create a new Badge
3. You can also reorder how Badges appear on the Badge page as well as when Users go to select a Badge by dragging and dropping Badges within the table on the left-hand side
4. Additionally, you can check out the stock Badges that Recognize offers by selecting 'Disabled' from the status drop-down
5. To view or edit the details for a Badge that has already been created, select 'Details' next to the name of the Badge in the table
   
   
   
    
6. If you're creating a new Badge, give the Badge a unique title of your choice - The title would typically indicate a company value or achievement
   
   NOTE: No two Badges can share the exact same title.
   
    
7. If you'd like, add a description for this Badge, which will be visible during the Badge selection process when sending a Recognition
8. Set a Badge sending limit, if you wish, which restricts how many of that Badge can be sent by a single user within a given timeframe (or leave the field BLANK to forgo setting a limit)
9. Select the time frame that this limit will apply to if you've chosen to set a limit
10. Choose the image you would like to use to represent this Badge
11. Select “Create Badge” to add the Badge (the rest can be customized in the next step)
    
    
    
     
12. After the Badge has been created, you can further customize it. After you have filled out the below sections, make sure you check 'Enable Badge' to activate the badge, and keep "Show in Badge listing" checked if you would like this to be visible in the list of Badges that users will see when they recognize someone. 
    
    Options to further customize your Badge include:
    
    a. Badge name - changes the name of the Badge
    b. Badge image - edit Badge image
    c. Enable Badge - allows Badge to be used for recognition
    d. Show in Badge listing - Badge will show up on Badge page for all users in top left menu
    e. Description - make edits to Badge's description which is seen when users choose a Badge for recognition, and on the Badge page in the top left menu
    f. Additional details (visible in the Badge header) - can be used to include specific criteria for sending the Badge
    g. Require approval (subjects submissions of this Badge to an approval process)
    h. Points (or Point variants for approval if 'Require approval' is selected) - optional setting that assigns a rewards value to the Badge that can be redeemed after receipt; variants determine at what levels approvals are needed if requiring approval
    i. Approver - If requiring approval, this is who will approve for this Badge
    j. Allow either sender's manager or recipient's manager to approve - when checked, either manager can approve the recognition (only the recipient's manager can approve by default)
    k. Budget - preview budgeting info as you make changes to ensure you have the funds to cover points for potential rewards
    l. Badge sending limits (restricts how many badges can be sent by a single user)
    m. Roles (restricts sending permissions of the Badge to specific company roles - e.g. Managers only)
    n. Achievement (optional - highlights the Badge as an employee achievement in the user profile)
    o. Force private recognition (hides this Badge from public view, meaning it won't post to the Stream Page)
    p. Once your Badge details are updated, click the 'Save' button at the bottom of the page
    
    

 

Submitting a Recognition

If you're just getting started with Recognize, you're probably asking yourself the big question: How do I send recognition in the platform? This guide will walk you through the steps to do just that! Here's a quick video demo to quick things off:
 

 

Feel free to use the jump-to links provided below for more instruction depending on the method you're using to send your recognition:

How to Send a Recognition

How to Send Recognition from the Mobile App

 

How to Send a Recognition

Start by logging in to your Recognize account. If you need help with logging in, see our guide: Having Trouble Signing In? Once you are signed in, you will land on the Stream Page for your company, which is where public recognitions will appear as they are sent.

1. Select the 'Recognize' button in the top left main toolbar to get to the recognition form page. 
   
   
    

2. Select a Badge to accompany your recognition by clicking on the '+' button.
   
   
    

   After clicking the '+' button, a popup window will appear with all the different Badges you are are eligible to send, along with the details for each Badge. 
   
   NOTE: The Recognize Admins at your company create and determine what Badges you are eligible to send. To see a full Badge list with details on eligibility, you can visit the Badge tab in the top toolbar.
   
   A. Badge Name: Select a badge that relates to the behavior or action you are recognizing.  
   B. Badge Description: Criteria that the behavior or action should meet for this Badge. 
   C. Points: The point value or point value range for the Badge. 
   D. Badge sending limits: You may see an allotment count to the right of the Badge description if your company has implemented a badge sending limit for the badge. 
   E. By Approval: If a Badge it tagged with 'By Approval', then the Badge will need to be approved by an administrator or Manager before the Recognition is sent and posted to the Stream Page. If the Badge does not say 'By Approval', then the Recognition will be sent and posted immediately. 
   
   
    

3. Recipient: Once you've selected a Badge, you can choose a recipient or recipients for the recognition by entering either name, team, or email address in the field for 'Who do you want to Recognize?' 
   NOTE: If you do not see an employee's name populate or are unable to send a recognition to a specific team, please contact your Company's Recognize Admin.
4. Message: Use the 'Message' text box to type out your recognition message, which should include details of what the employee did to deserve the recognition, as well as the impact that person made - If your company's settings allow, you can also add Photos, Emojis, Files or Gifs here to make the recognition more fun and personal.
5. Tags: you can add a relevant Tag to your Recognition if your company is using this feature.
6. Point Widget: If your company has chosen to use a points allotment system, you will see a widget with details for how the current recognition you're sending will impact your allotment.
7. Private: When this box is checked, the recognition will be sent to the recipient privately, and will not be posted to the Stream page. (Availability of this option depends on your company’s settings) 
   NOTE: Company Admins and Direct Managers will still have visibility of the Recognition.
8. Tips: For tips on how to make your recognition more meaningful, and examples of quality recognition, see the 'Tips' module on the right-hand side of your screen

9. Recognize: When you're happy with your recognition message and you have reviewed all the details, click the 'Recognize' button to send your recognition. 
   
   
    

   If there is an approval process in place for the Badge you've chosen to send, you'll receive a pop-up message that your recognition has been sent for approval. You will receive notification once your Recognition is approved. 
   
   
   
   If the Badge you're sending does not have an approval process, your recognition will be automatically sent and you will be redirected to the recognition details page. Here you can:
   A. Comment on the recognition 
   B. React to the recognition 
   C. View and pint a certificate from the recognition
   D. Edit or delete the recognition
   NOTE: Deleting a recognition will result in associated points being removed from the recipient's account, and may result in a points deficit if the user has already redeemed them.
   
   
    

How to Send a Recognition from the Mobile App

Sending a recognition can also be done on-the-go with our mobile app! First, you'll need to install the app and sign in using the method of sign-in your company has chosen for employees. 

1. Once you've downloaded the Recognize app and signed in, you'll select the three lines in the top left corner to expand the menu
   
   
    
2. From the menu, select 'Send Recognition'
   
   
3. Next, you will type in the name(s), emails address(es), or team name(s) for the employee(s) you would like to recognize one at a time.
4. Check the box next to each employee or team you would like to include in your recognition.
5. When you've selected all the recipients for the recognition, click the 'Next' button
   
   
6. If your company has set up point allocations for sending recognition, you will see your remaining points total for the designated time interval if you were to send this recognition
7. You will also see the total number of recipients that have been selected to receive the recognition, and you can scroll horizontally through a list of the recipients
8. Select a Badge that's most appropriate to send to these recipients based on the Badge criteria from the list of Badges that appear (scroll vertically to see all of them)
9. Select the 'Next' button once you've made your Badge selection
   
   
10. Write a detailed account of why you are sending the recognition, including the action and impact, in the message field provided
    NOTE: Your company may have opted to set a minimum word count for messages, so be sure to make note of that if so.
11. Select the 'Next' button when you're happy with your recognition message
    
    
     
12. If your company allows for private recognition to be sent, you can toggle privacy on so that the recognition is not posted to the Stream page
13. If your company uses Tags to categorize initiatives or core values, you can also include these on the recognition
14. Review your message and recognition details to ensure everything looks correct and then click the 'Send Recognition' button to send the recognition. 
    
    
     
15. If you need to delete your sent recognition for any reason, you can click the trash can icon in the top right corner.
    NOTE: Deleting recognition returns the associated points to the sender's account and can result in a points deficit for the recipient if they have already spent the points.
    
    

 

Creating a Recognition Certificate

Printing a copy of a Recognition or Anniversary/Birthday certificate for your employees is a great way to add value to the Recognition and enhance employee engagement, especially at upcoming team/company meetings or events. Any recognition to a single individual can be turned into a printable certificate.

1. Navigate to the Stream Page by clicking on 'Stream' in the upper left corner of Recognize
2. Select the header of the Recognition you'd like to turn into an Award Certificate to open it
   
   NOTE: Only single recipient recognitions allow for Award Certificates.
   
   
   
   
    
3. Once the Recognition page opens, select 'View Certificate', located below the badge
   
   
   
    
4. Click 'Print' in your browser to print the Certificate
   
   

 

How To Customize Your Certificate 

*Customizing a Certificate template is included in our Enterprise+ package, or can be purchased as a package add on. Contact support@recognizeapp.com for more information. 

1. Click 'Menu' in the upper right corner of Recognize
2. Select 'Company Admin' from the dropdown menu
3. Select 'Settings' from the navigation menu on the far-left
4. Select 'Theming' from the quick navigation menu on the right of the settings page
5. Select 'Theme Customizations' to be redirected to the Theme Customizations page
   
   
   
    
6. Create an Award Certificate and save to your computer (not captured in screenshots). The exact dimensions of the award certificate should be 1,510px x 1,141px. The template can be found here: Template (Certificate).png. Click 'Choose File' and select your certificate to upload
7. Select 'Save' when you are done
   
   

 To learn to make a more meaningful recognition certificate, view the Best Practices Handbook.

 

Viewing Recognition in your User Profile

If you'd like to view your latest Recognitions or find an older Recognition, they can all be found right inside of your user profile!

1. Select your name/avatar from the top right corner of Recognize to view your User Profile
2. The page will default to the 'Recognitions' tab below your profile header
3. Recognitions are listed in reverse chronological order, so you'll see the newest Recognitions first
   
   

 

Reviewing Recognition Reports

Running a Recognitions report can help you track the recognitions sent to/from your employees throughout a specified month, quarter, year, or custom date range. See the below video for an overview of the Recognitions tab in the Company Admin Portal. 

As shown in the video, Company Admins can log in and review recognition activity via the Company Admin/Recognitions portal.

1. Select 'Menu' from the top right corner of the screen
2. Select 'Company Admin' from the drop-down to open the Company Admin portal
   
    
3. Select 'Recognitions' from the left side menu in your Company Admin Portal
4. Choose between 'Pending,' 'Approved,' or 'Denied' Recognitions in the top right tertiary menu
5. Use the date filter to view recognitions by month, quarter, year, or a custom date range
6. Additional filter options are available to the right above the table if you'd like to filter the data further
7. You can also search for specific recognition by using the search bar above the table to the right
8. Select the three lines above the table to the left to choose which attributes you wish to see in the table below
9. Recognition details will show up in the table for you to view or export
10. Click the export button once you are happy with the data, which will send a report to the 'Documents' tab, where you can download it
    
    

 

Editing or Deleting Recognitions

Company Admins have the distinct ability to delete recognitions from within the Company Admin portal should the need arise, (i.e. inappropriate recognition, approved by mistake) in addition to being able to edit or delete from the Stream Page and the Recognition details page. That said, any user can edit or delete recognitions where they were the sender. It's important to note that any recognitions that are deleted will also remove any associated points from the user's account. If the user has already spent the points, this could cause them to go into a points deficit. It's also important to note that while the description content of a Recognition can be edited after it is sent, recipients cannot be added or removed after the Recognition has been sent. If you need to add a recipient, you can send a new recognition to just that user, but if you need to remove any recipients, you'll need to delete and resend the original recognition.

 

Use the below menu to jump to instructions for each action:

 

Editing/Deleting Recognitions From the Stream Page

Editing/Deleting Recognitions From the Recognition Details Page

Editing/Deleting Recognitions from the Company Admin Portal

 

Editing/Deleting Recognitions From the Stream Page

All users can edit or delete recognitions that they have sent straight from the Stream Page by following the steps below. Company Admins can delete any recognition, regardless of sender, through this method.

1. From the Stream Page, simply hover over the recognition you would like to edit or delete and click the gear icon in the lower right corner 
   
    
2. When the window expands to include the 'Edit' and 'Delete' buttons, select the action you wish to perform
   
   
   
    
3. If you choose to 'Delete' a Recognition, a verification window will pop up, asking you if you are sure that you want to delete the Recognition. If you are certain you would like the Recognition permanently deleted, select "Yes, delete it!". If you don't want to permanently delete the Recognition, select "Cancel". 
   
   NOTE: If a Recognition is deleted, the points that were sent along with that Recognition will also be lost to the recipient. If the Badge that was sent has a Badge limit attached, the limit total will be updated and the sender will be able to resend the Badge that was deleted.
   
   
   
    
4. If you chose to 'Edit' a Recognition, you will be taken to a window where you can edit the contents of the Recognition in the text field provided
   
   NOTE: You cannot change the Badge or recipient(s) when editing a Recognition. If the Badge or recipient(s) needs to be changed, the sender would need to delete this Recognition and create a new one.
   
    
5. Click "Update Recognition" to save any changes
   
   

 

Editing/Deleting Recognitions From the Recognition Details Page

All users can edit or delete recognitions that they have sent from the recognition details page as well by following the steps below. Company Admins can delete any recognition, regardless of sender, through this method.

1. Start by clicking the header of the Recognition you wish to edit/delete from the Stream Page
   
   
   
    
2. When the Recognition page populates, select either "Edit Recognition" or "Delete" from the options provided on the right-hand side of the Comments, 
   
   
   
    
3. If you choose 'Delete', a verification window will pop up, asking you if you are sure that you want to delete the Recognition. If you are certain you would like the Recognition permanently deleted, select "Yes, delete it!". If you don't want to permanently delete the Recognition, select "Cancel". 
   
   NOTE: If a Recognition is deleted, the points that were sent along with that Recognition will also be lost to the recipient. If the Badge that was sent has a Badge limit attached, the limit total will be updated and the sender will be able to resend the Badge that was deleted.
   
   
   
    
4. If you chose 'Edit,' you will be taken to a window where you can edit the contents of the Recognition in the text field provided
   
   NOTE: You cannot change the Badge or recipient(s) when editing a Recognition. If the Badge or recipient(s) needs to be changed, the sender would need to delete this Recognition and create a new one.
   
    
5. Click 'Update Recognition' to save any changes
   
   

 

Editing/Deleting Recognitions from the Company Admin Portal

1. Select 'Menu' in the top right-hand corner of your screen
2. Select 'Company Admin' from the drop-down menu
   
   
   
    
3. Select 'Recognitions' from the left side menu
4. Select the three lines above the table to view more options
   
   
   
    
5. Select 'Actions' from the list of options to add to the table, which will add a column that will allow you to take action on recognition
   
   
   
    
6. Search for the recognition(s) you would like to delete using the search bar above the table
7. Alternatively, you can use the filtering options to find a range of recognitions to delete
8. For each line item, select the 'Delete' button, which will delete the recognition, removing it from the Stream Page, and returning any associated points