If you’re looking for employee recognition examples, you know recognition isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a major driver of business success. According to Gallup, well-recognized employees were 45% less likely to have changed organizations two years later. And consistency matters: according to Achievers, increasing recognition from quarterly to monthly boosts the likelihood of engagement and productivity by 40% and job commitment by 25%.

More good news: 55% of employee engagement is driven by non-financial recognition, making it clear that simple, thoughtful gestures can have a major impact. This means using content—especially video—is a compelling way to drive your recognition efforts forward.

How to Recognize Employees Using Video

Incorporating video into your recognition strategy captures employees’ achievements and emotions in a powerful and memorable way. Whether shared internally or publicly, these videos make employees feel valued, seen, and inspired to contribute to the company’s success.

Using video also extends the celebration beyond the employee being recognized. Other team members get to see their peers’ achievements, and leaders have the opportunity to emphasize the behaviors, accomplishments, and values they want to promote across the organization.

1. AstraZeneca: Recognizing Promotions

Promotions — along with other employee milestones — are great career inflection points to create employee spotlight videos. When interviewing the employee, ask them to describe their career journey thus far, why they chose the path they did, and any people who helped them along the way. 

One way to recognize an employee promotion is to share the story behind the career move. In this employee spotlight created by AstraZeneca, Kiersten shares how a mentor encouraged her to “go for the big job” when shifting into sales.

In addition to employee recognition, the employee spotlight has the added bonus of highlighting your company’s commitment to internal mobility. Win-win. 

2. Stories Inc.: Recognizing Employee Anniversaries

No matter how long an employee has been with your organization, work anniversaries are a meaningful chance to express gratitude and acknowledge their contributions. When you interview the team member, ask about their favorite memories, proudest achievements, and personal growth they’ve experienced during their time with your company.

Pro tip: Including personal photos from over the years is a great way to honor their time at your company. At Stories Inc., we used this approach to celebrate a team member anniversary: 

3. Demonware: Recognizing Big Project Milestones

Videos are a compelling way to celebrate major project milestones, capturing not only the accomplishment itself but also the dedication, teamwork, and effort that made it happen. By recognizing the people behind the achievement, you give them a chance to share their perspectives, challenges they overcame, and moments of pride.

In this video from the gaming company Demonware, we hear three different team members reflect on the projects they’re most proud of. 

4. Davidson: Recognizing Award Winners

Workplace awards, like employee of the month or core value awards, are meaningful achievements worth celebrating. Creating a video to surprise and delight award winners adds a personal touch and makes the moment even more special by giving them a chance to share their story.

As you create the video, consider asking the honoree what the award means to them, the journey that led to this achievement, and any lessons they’ve learned along the way. Highlighting these moments not only makes the individual feel valued but also inspires others to strive for excellence.

Watch the video below from Davidson Hotels, where they used this employee spotlight video to recognize the Employee of the Year. 

Pro Tip: Go above and beyond by featuring a manager or colleague sharing why the winner is so deserving of the award. At Stories, we turned core value award nominations into compelling social graphics. 

5. Recognizing Remote Employees

The examples in this article—celebrating milestones, anniversaries, promotions, and awards—are just as effective for remote employees. Recognizing remote employees is especially important to help them feel connected, and video adds a personal touch that bridges the distance.

Highlight their contributions, include testimonials from teammates, or feature a thank-you message from leadership to make them feel seen and valued. In this video from LexisNexis, digital marketer Tykori Saunders is recognized for their impact on a Black History Month campaign — all captured from home using a virtual story session. 

What the Best Employee Recognition Examples Teach Us

These employee recognition examples show us how stories can celebrate individual achievements while fostering a culture of appreciation and connection.  By sharing these stories, you’re not just recognizing the contributions of your team—you’re strengthening your organization’s culture and showcasing what makes it a great place to work.