Monetary rewards dramatically boost employee belonging and engagement, global study shows

A new Workhuman global research study has quantified what many leaders have long suspected: Recognition has far greater cultural and business impact when it is paired with a reward of clear, tangible value.

According to The Tangible Value of Appreciation report, surveying more than 2,500 employees across five countries, the simple act of attaching monetary value to recognition fundamentally transforms how employees feel about their work, their colleagues, and their organisation.

Belonging rises 28 per cent when recognition includes monetary value

One of the headline findings is the powerful effect on a sense of belonging. Employees who receive recognition accompanied by a redeemable reward report 28 per cent higher levels of belonging compared to those who receive symbolic thanks alone.

Workhuman notes that tangible rewards “reinforce worth” by showing that appreciation is backed by genuine investment, making the recognition moment feel credible and fair.

Engagement also receives a measurable lift. The study found that when rewards carry real monetary value, employee engagement rises by 21 per cent.

This echoes Workhuman’s broader research showing that employees who feel valued are more motivated, more aligned to organisational goals, and more consistent in their performance.

Perhaps the most striking statistic is the effect on advocacy. A very positive reward experience makes employees 19 times more likely to recommend their organisation as a great place to work.

For employers focused on retention, employer branding, and reducing recruitment costs, this is a significant competitive advantage.

Across the study, the data indicates that rewards act as a multiplier to recognition. The report emphasises five dimensions that define meaningful rewards:

• Tangible – clear monetary value, transparent and fair
• Connected – experiences people can share with others
• Memorable – creating stories that reinforce culture
• Universal – accessible and easy to redeem
• Personalised – options that reflect lifestyle and values

When these elements come together, the impact on performance, culture, and loyalty compounds.

The findings also demonstrate that even a single redemption can double positive sentiment toward a recognition programme, while 11 or more redemptions increase programme likability nearly sevenfold.

For employers in Malta – where talent attraction and retention remain top strategic challenges – the study offers a compelling evidence base for rethinking how recognition systems are designed.

Recognition on its own matters, but recognition that employees can feel, use, and remember appears to reshape the employee experience altogether.

Tangible rewards:

• strengthen cultural belonging
• boost motivation and engagement
• drive peer-to-peer recognition
• improve programme satisfaction
• elevate overall employer reputation

In short, the study confirms that organisations investing in meaningful, monetary rewards are not merely thanking employees – they are building stronger, more connected, and more high-performing workplaces.