I’m always impressed when I’m in a place of business that features an "Associate of the Month" plaque on the wall. I admire the management’s attempt to recognize their employees, hoping of course, others will be inspired to reach for the same recognition. Surely the business has embraced the workplace trend to reward positive employee behavior…or they received a memo from their corporate office directing them to "value their employee’s contributions".

But what does it say when the business has a prominently placed, walnut veneered, brass emblazoned, logo enhanced wall adornment… and not a single name on it. All 12 metallic plates lined up, waiting for their turn, only to be dulled by the dust stuck to the grease that has wafted over from the fryer. Not a single inscription. I’ll admit, it wasn’t a high class joint but one frequented by millions of customers all over the world on any given day.

So why even put the plaque up? Was the regional manager coming and to be in compliance, you had to show off your attempts at a strong employee recognition program? And what does it say to the employees? Was your staff turning over quicker than at most restaurants so there was no time to honor anyone? Or were they all so outstanding, management couldn’t chose?

Most people think that employee recognition programs were established to recognize outstanding performance and to encourage, recognize, and show appreciation to people within your organization. Not exactly. The most important reason is to "align behaviors with the goals making your organization successful". Yes, you are recognizing employees who are helping the organization meet their goals.

Apparently, that’s not happening at this restaurant, but couldn’t they just address this with a team meeting rather than post for all to see? And maybe that’s why there is a new manager there. I feel sorry for the employees flipping the burgers, cleaning the fryers and trying to understand the drive through orders over the cries of babies and toddlers in the car. They are working their first and sometimes, their last jobs, depending on what time of day you go there. They are working their second job in an effort to make ends meet. And if I knew their names, I’d scrawl them into the dust for all to see, because I bet at least a couple deserve to be "Associate of the Month".