Retail
Human ressources and workforce
Employer branding
Recruitment / Employee retention
31 March 2025

Outsourcing Employee Recognition: A Profitable Investment

By

Accolad

Accolad

Accolad enables employers to offer modern and personalized recognition gifts to their employees, clients, and partners through technology-driven solutions designed to save them time.

The HR Day 2025

Don’t miss Accolad’s conference on April 23rd during the next HR Day for retailers! Organized by the Retail Council of Quebec (RCQ), this full-day event is dedicated to best HR practices in the retail sector.

Register now and come find out how Accolad’s winning solutions can help you achieve your employee recognition goals!

Outsourcing Employee Recognition: A Profitable Investment

As an entrepreneur, you juggle countless responsibilities. As your business grows, managing everything on your own becomes increasingly unrealistic. Delegation becomes essential in your daily operations. Whether it’s accounting or human resources management, you likely rely on expert support. But have you considered doing the same for employee recognition?

Neglecting Recognition: A Costly Oversight

Time-Consuming Employee Turnover

  • The cost of replacing an employee ranges between 50% and 200% of their annual salary. If an employee leaves due to a lack of recognition—something that happens in 44% of cases—the company not only incurs expensive recruitment costs but also needs to invest in training and onboarding a new hire. In some cases, replacing top talent can be particularly challenging, leading to significant losses in skills and expertise.

 

The Heavy Consequences of Stress

  • Lack of recognition is reportedly the second leading cause of workplace stress. Workplace stress comes with serious costs: absenteeism, decreased concentration, depression, chronic pain, and more. All of these factors can reduce productivity and lead to expensive sick leave.

 

A Weakened Employer Brand

  • Companies that neglect employee recognition risk damaging their reputation. Recognition is a key factor in attracting talent, especially in a competitive job market. Overlooking this aspect can hinder a company’s ability to recruit new employees. Platforms like Glassdoor show that many candidates review a company’s ratings before applying.

The Benefits of Outsourcing Employee Recognition

Most leaders understand the benefits of employee recognition. Chances are, you’ve already implemented simple yet meaningful gestures—greeting your employees, thanking them for their efforts, and offering flexibility. However, partnering with an external provider can help you take recognition further without adding to your workload.

Here are ten benefits of working with a recognition specialist:

  1. Time and Resource Savings: Outsourcing recognition management frees up valuable time, allowing you to focus on strategic priorities. For instance, a recognition partner can handle sending personalized appreciation gifts to employees on their work anniversary.
  2. Expertise and Specialized Advice: A recognition specialist provides tailored solutions with modern, effective tools to optimize your program.
  3.  Cost Reduction: Thanks to its network, an external partner can offer competitive pricing and reduce the internal costs associated with recognition efforts (logistics, management, and reward tracking).
  4. Boosted Employee Engagement: A recognition partner ensures continuous and systematic appreciation, strengthening employee engagement and loyalty through customized programs.
  5. Enhanced Company Culture: A well-designed recognition program fosters a culture that values contributions, reinforcing team cohesion and a sense of belonging.
  6. Improved Tracking and Reporting: Detailed reports on the impact of recognition initiatives provide valuable insights to refine your strategy.
  7. Flexibility and Scalability: Whether you’re a small business or a large corporation, an external partner can adapt the program to your needs, budget, and company structure—including cultural differences, if necessary.
  8. Elimination of Internal Bias: Outsourcing recognition management ensures fairness, eliminating internal biases and guaranteeing recognition based on actual performance.
  9. High-Quality Rewards: A strong recognition partner should offer flexible, modern rewards tailored to employees’ preferences—regardless of their age, gender, or role. The perceived value of rewards is crucial for maximizing impact. Forget branded company mugs—offer rewards that truly excite your employees.
  10. Talent Retention: A structured recognition program enhances employee satisfaction, reduces turnover, and attracts top talent while strengthening your reputation as an employer of choice.

A Sustainable Investment for Your Business

In short, outsourcing employee recognition allows you to save time, reduce costs, and build a positive workplace culture that motivates and retains employees. It’s a long-term investment that benefits both your business and your workforce.

For even greater efficiency, consider a recognition partner that offers digital rewards. This eliminates shipping costs and the logistical challenges associated with sending physical gifts.

To find out more about Accolad’s recognition management solutions, don’t miss their upcoming conference during our next HR Day for retailers, on April 23rd at the PHI Centre in Montreal.

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