The State of Recognition & Rewards 2025: From Intent to Impact
What separates programs that truly work — and those that don’t
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About the Report
Recognition has always been human — but in the workplace, it’s also a design choice. Vantage Circle’s Global Recognition & Rewards Report 2025 explores how companies across North America, India, and the UAE design and deliver recognition that drives engagement, behavior, and performance. Grounded in our proprietary AIRe Framework, this global study reveals what makes Recognition & Rewards programs work, comparing organizations that report high effectiveness (“leaders”) with those that don’t (“others”).
The Data Speaks: When Recognition Becomes a Part of Culture
2x
higher design maturity — recognition in effective programs is broader, fairer, and embedded in daily culture.
2-3x
more likely to reward specific behaviors, not just outcomes, making recognition more relatable and repeatable.
3x
greater use of emotionally resonant rewards like experiences, mementos, and learning that build lasting pride.
High-effectiveness programs don’t have to be expensive. 84% spend under $100 per employee per year yet deliver greater impact.
Download Full ReportExplore More: Vantage Recognition Insights GPT
Go beyond the report with the Vantage Recognition Insights GPT — your AI-powered companion to benchmark trends and discover best practices.
Built on the AIRe Framework, this tool lets you:
- Explore recognition practices by industry (global) or market (regional)
- Compare what "leaders” do differently
- Discover data-backed insights to design recognition that works
What You Will Discover
- The behavioral science behind recognition effectiveness
- How R&R design and execution impact culture and productivity
- What high-effectiveness programs get right — and how you can apply it
- Real-world insights that prove recognition can be meaningful, measurable, and affordable
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