Winning Top Workplace Awards: How Recognition Platforms Help You Shine

Organizations are constantly seeking ways to stand out, not just to customers but also to potential employees.  

One powerful way to do this is by earning workplace culture awards like the Great Place to Work Certification™. These awards are more than just badges of honor; they’re tangible proof of a company’s commitment to creating an outstanding work environment.  

But, what’s the best way to achieve these accolades? Let’s explore the importance of these awards, the benefits they bring, and how an employee recognition platform like Kudos can help you win them.

What is employer branding?

‍Employer branding is when an organization establishes and promotes its identity and reputation as an employer. It’s the company’s efforts to create a positive perception of itself as a desirable place to work, aimed at attracting and retaining top talent. This branding involves defining the company’s values, culture, employee experience, and what it offers to its workforce in terms of growth, benefits, and work environment.

Employer branding typically includes:

1. Company culture: this includes the values, mission, and behaviors that define the company and how employees experience working there.

2. Employee value proposition (EVP): the unique benefits and opportunities that employees receive in return for their skills, experience, and work.

3. Workplace environment: this is the day-to-day work life and the broader work-life balance that the company fosters.

4. Communication: how the organization communicates its brand to potential candidates, both through internal channels (like employee advocacy) and external channels (such as social media, career sites, or job boards).

Achieving awards and accolades helps strengthen your employer brand by providing evidence that you ‘practice what you preach’ as an organization. Plus, winning workplace awards offers an opportunity to promote your brand, attract top talent and celebrate your hard-working teams.  

Before we dive into why workplace awards can be a strategic advantage and how recognition can help you stand out, here’s a list of the workplace awards that will make your brand shine.  

10 workplace awards you should know about

1. Great Place to Work Certification™

The Great Place to Work Certification™ is one of the most recognized and sought-after workplace culture awards globally. It’s based on employee feedback and a comprehensive culture audit.

This certification signals to both current and prospective employees that your organization values its people and their experience at work. It’s a strong testament to your commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive workplace.

2. Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For

This list is created annually by Fortune magazine in partnership with Great Place to Work®, recognizing companies that have exceptional workplace cultures. Earning a spot on this list elevates your brand and showcases your company as a desirable place to work.

3. The Inspiring Workplaces Awards

The Inspiring Workplaces Awards recognize organizations that put their people at the heart of their strategy and create inspiring environments where employees can thrive. The Inspiring Workplaces Group’s (IWG) purpose is to transform the world by inspiring and supporting organizations that put their people first.  

4. Glassdoor Best Places to Work

Based on employee reviews, Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work awards highlight companies where employees feel engaged, valued, and supported. Glassdoor is a go-to platform for job seekers. Earning this award can significantly boost your reputation and visibility among potential candidates.

5. Top Employers Institute Certification

The Top Employers Institute Certification is granted to organizations that excel in providing exceptional employee conditions, nurturing and developing talent throughout all levels of the organization, and striving to continuously enhance their employment practices.

6. Brandon Hall Group™ Excellence Awards

Brandon Hall Group recognizes companies that excel in leadership development, organizational excellence, and employee engagement strategies. For over 30 years, this award program has recognized the best organizations that have successfully developed and deployed programs, strategies, modalities, processes, systems, and tools that have achieved measurable results.

Read more about Kudos’ win in the Brandon Hall Group Technology Excellence in Technology Awards.

7. Fast Company Awards

Fast Company offers many different award programs, its Most Innovative Companies being the most notable, with programs recognizing companies that are pioneers in creative thinking, employee engagement, and workplace transformation.  

Since 2008, Fast Company’s list has been the definitive source for recognizing organizations that are transforming industries and shaping society.  

8. Well Workplace Awards

Presented by the Wellness Council of America (WELLCOA), this awards program celebrates organizations that excel at promoting employee well-being through health and wellness programs. A focus on well-being is increasingly important in workplace culture, and earning this award shows your organization’s dedication to a healthy, balanced work environment.  

9. The Disability Equality Index®

The Disability Equality Index® (DEI®) is a joint initiative by Disability and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), recognizing organizations that promote disability inclusion and equality in the workplace. It reinforces your company's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, which is essential in today's work environment.

10. Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures™

Presented by Waterstone Human Capital, Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures™ honors organizations in Canada that excel at creating organizational cultures that enhance performance and provide a competitive advantage. This prestigious distinction exemplifies excellence in organizations that are building high-performing cultures that drive results.

Read more about Kudos’ recognition as one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures™.

11. BONUS – The Kudos® Best Culture Awards

Now in its fourth year, this program is exclusive to Kudos clients. Winning this award will not only highlight an organization's distinctive culture and its remarkable team members but will also demonstrate how the right culture meets employees' needs for meaning and purpose, thereby increasing workplace satisfaction, enhancing performance, and boosting retention rates. Past winners include Lego, Make-a-Wish, and Uvalde Memorial Hospital.

Why workplace awards are crucial for your organization

Earning workplace culture awards is more than just a nice-to-have—it’s a strategic advantage. Here’s why:

• Proof of success: these awards serve as third-party validation that your organization is a thriving, supportive place to work. They provide proof to help with recruitment, retention, and even customer relations.

• Competitive edge: they set you apart from competitors by showcasing your commitment to a positive workplace culture. This can be the deciding factor for top talent choosing between your organization and another.

• Brand reputation: awards build your brand’s reputation as an employer of choice. This not only helps in attracting talent but also boosts morale among current employees, who take pride in working for a recognized company.

• Increased employee engagement: when employees see their company recognized for its culture, it fosters a sense of pride and belonging, leading to higher engagement and productivity.

How employee recognition will help you win

Now that we’ve established the importance of workplace culture awards, the question is: how can you increase your chances of winning them?  

The answer is in cultivating a culture of recognition, and that’s where Kudos comes in. “What technologies, tools or systems do you use to recognize your employees?” is often a question in these award applications. Here’s how Kudos, an industry-leading recognition and culture solution, can help you stand out in your application:  

Making peer recognition easy and accessible

A recognition software will have no impact on your culture if it’s too complicated to use. Kudos’ desktop and mobile applications can be easily integrated into the channels and systems your teams are already using, allowing recognition to flow freely throughout every level in your organization.  

Fostering a positive workplace culture  

Kudos helps you create a culture where employees feel valued and recognized for their contributions. Regular recognition leads to happier, more motivated and high-performing employees, which is a key factor in many workplace culture awards.

Measurable, data-driven insights

Powerful People Analytics provides valuable insights into your organization’s recognition trends, allowing you to identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. Many award applications will ask how you measure your success, and Kudos can provide these insights through data reports giving you a competitive advantage in your award category.  

Enhancing employee engagement

A recognition platform like Kudos makes it easy to consistently acknowledge employee achievements. This ongoing engagement is critical for building the kind of culture that is celebrated and known for being a career-defining organization.  

Improving retention and turnover

Many workplace culture awards consider employee retention as a key metric, making this an important factor in your overall strategy. Recognition has proven to be a leading contributing factor in helping reduce employee turnover.  

Supporting company values

Kudos allows you to align recognition with your company’s core values. This reinforces the behaviors and attitudes that contribute to a positive workplace culture, allowing you to tell a compelling story in workplace award applications.  

Winning workplace culture awards is a powerful way to validate your organization’s success and stand out in a competitive market. Through a culture of recognition, you not only create a more engaged and motivated workforce but also increase your chances of earning these prestigious accolades. Today, company culture is a key differentiator, and leveraging the power of recognition can be your secret ingredient to success.