According to the WorldatWork report Trends in Employee Recognition 2011, the use of recognition programs within the past decade has remained consistent despite the economic downturn. Today, 86 percent of organizations have such programs in place, and 70 percent of those workplaces offer between three and six different components in their total recognition packages.

"Having a balanced approach—with both cash and noncash rewards—is most beneficial for employees and employers alike," says Alison Avalos, research manager at WorldatWork. "These programs should connect what employees are actually delivering to what the organization needs to deliver."

The top five goals of recognition programs remain the same as those reported in 2008: to recognize years of service, create a positive work environment, motivate high performance, create a culture of recognition, and increase morale. The most common types of recognition also have not changed recently: certificates or plaques, cash, gift certificates, company logo merchandise, and food.