As 2025 gets under way, retention remains a top concern for many businesses and their HR teams. Research continues to show that employee recognition efforts are a powerful way to increase engagement and reduce turnover. In this blog, we’re diving into the hard data behind this elusive issue and providing helpful information on how to successfully run a recognition program.
Eyes on the Door
According to Gallup’s latest figures from November 2024, a whopping 51% of US employees are “watching for or actively seeking a new job.” Even more disheartening, their latest figure from February 2024 shows that only 25% of US employees would recommend their organization as a great place to work. This unenthusiastic climate can negatively affect an organization’s ability to recruit new talent, provide excellent service, and maintain a positive reputation. High turnover is also an expensive problem to have. Gallup estimates that replacing leaders and managers costs around 200% of their salary, replacing employees in technical roles costs 80% of their salary, and replacing frontline workers costs 40% of their salary, excluding unmeasured losses in morale and knowledge.
Biggest Reasons
According to another Gallup study, “An astounding 42% of employees who voluntarily left their organization in the past year report that their manager or organization could have done something to prevent them from leaving their job.” This mirrors the data showing that “engagement and culture” was cited by 41% of employees as the reason they left their organization. This far outpaced the second-most cited reason, “wellness and work-life balance” (28%). “Pay and benefits” takes a surprising third place seat with 16% of employees citing it as their primary reason for leaving.
The Power of Recognition
Employee recognition isn’t just a "nice-to-have" — it’s a critical part of driving performance and satisfaction. According to Gallup, 65% of employees say they would work harder if they were better recognized. Beyond the numbers, recognition fosters a sense of belonging, pride, and loyalty within the organization. When employees feel valued, they’re more likely to stay, perform at their best, and contribute to the overall success of the company.
Gallup data taken from 2022 to 2024 shows that well-recognized employees are 45% less likely to have turned over after two years. The quality of an organization’s recognition program is measured by how closely it fulfills the 5 pillars of recognition. These are:
- Fulfilling Expectations - The amount the employee receives makes sense.
- Authentic - It comes across as genuine and not a “checklist” item.
- Personalized - It’s tailored towards the recipient.
- Equitable - The recognition is given fairly and there aren’t any “favorites.”
- Embedded in the Culture - It’s integrated into the day-to-day and relates to the company’s values.
There is a direct correlation between the amount of pillars fulfilled and the level of engagement at a company:
Read more about how custom awards support all five pillars of recognition here!
Recognition can’t just be a checkbox on a to-do list. To truly drive engagement, it has to be meaningful and consistent. This is where the personal touch comes in — and nothing says "personal" like custom-made jewelry.
Why Custom Jewelry?
When you think of employee recognition, what comes to mind? Likely generic awards, certificates, or plaques. While those are nice, they don’t always feel personal. Custom-made jewelry, however, offers a unique and meaningful way to acknowledge hard work and dedication.
Custom jewelry speaks volumes. It’s an award that someone can wear, treasure, and be reminded of their accomplishments each day. Whether it’s a necklace, bracelet, or a set of cufflinks, a custom piece designed specifically for the recipient is a powerful gesture of appreciation.
Drive Retention Through Meaningful Recognition
Employee recognition is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and it certainly doesn’t need to be impersonal. Custom jewelry offers a way to personalize recognition and build deeper connections with employees. By offering something unique that they can wear and cherish, you're not just handing out a reward — you’re creating a lasting bond that can significantly impact retention.
In fact, employees who feel recognized and appreciated are far more likely to stay with an organization. According to a study by Workhuman, employees who receive frequent recognition are 50% more likely to report a positive experience in their roles, making recognition one of the most effective ways to reduce turnover.
Awards that Inspire
When creating a recognition program, it’s important to choose awards that are valuable, meaningful, and reflect the company’s culture. At Dion, we have over 55 years of experience designing and crafting jewelry awards recipients wear with pride. Our team of dedicated Account Managers walk you through the design, quote, and ordering process, offering their knowledge and expertise along the way. Whether it's a custom charm, key tag, bookmark, or belt buckle, we can create the perfect commemorative for your team. Getting started with Dion is easy: simply browse our gallery of past products for some inspiration, then