Corporate profile

Siemens ‘Champions’ employee recognition across a European network

Siemens Champions employee recognition

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P&MM, an award winning performance improvement agency, has helped Siemens in a long-term journey toward excellence in employee recognition.

Over recent years Siemens has devoted its efforts to ensure that their values, approach and culture are embedded into the UK Siemens culture. Recognising and rewarding employees is an important part of this and driving behaviours that demonstrate company values. Therefore a single cohesive recognition scheme was created (titled ‘Champions’) that amalgamated a number of recognition schemes that had previously gone before, to deliver a new consistent message, approach and reporting.

The Champions programme initially targeted over 14,000 Siemens UK employees, who operate across a diverse range of businesses and locations, including office, manufacturing, field and home workers. It has since expanded to include employees in Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway.

Much more than just a standard reward scheme, Champions drives employee’s behaviours and focuses on the recognition of them at all levels of the business by their peers. Nominations rise through local manager, business area and eventually progress to company-wide awards.

Karen Gaynor, Head of Reward for Siemens UK and Europe comments “With the Champions programme people are encouraged to share stories and nominate their colleagues who have gone well beyond their job description, who have helped others in inspirational ways or have moved mountains to meet a customer deadline. Regularly receiving appreciation is hugely motivational and supports our ownership culture. It is all about recognising people for what they do and how they do it”

The programme allows employees to personally recognise colleagues who demonstrate the values through their interaction with colleagues and customers. Recognition can be submitted online, by SMS or through a freepost card system and both individuals and teams can be recognised via e-card, instant reward or a podium award. This culminates in an annual Gold awards celebration.

The reward catalogue features points based merchandise, vouchers and gift cards, prepaid cards and has recently expanded to incorporate a virtual prepaid card. This is believed to be the first application of virtual prepaid technology in the UK and offers employees instant access to redeem rewards via over 40 retail partners.

Since the launch of the programme recognition sent has increased by 168% and manager approval times for rewards have decreased by 40% from previous schemes.

John Sylvester, Director at P&MM, summarises, “The Champions programme is an excellent example of implementing recognition best practices in a phased and gradual roll out across geographical and physical borders. By uniting the UK efforts first and foremost, and carefully considering the workplaces of a diverse audience they have maximised engagement, before applying best practices overseas.”

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