In today’s virtual and hybrid work environments, figuring out how to recognize remote employees is more crucial than ever. The best employee recognition examples show that when team members feel seen and appreciated, their engagement, motivation, and loyalty to the company grow.

But without those everyday, in-person interactions, companies need to rethink how they show appreciation and create meaningful moments that transcend physical distance. Finding new ways to celebrate achievements and recognize impact is essential to building a culture that thrives, no matter where team members are located.

In this post, we’ll explore creative and effective approaches to recognizing remote employees. From digital content to personalized acknowledgments, these strategies will help organizations create a culture of support and recognition that makes each team member feel valued and connected—even when they’re miles apart.

1. Employee Spotlight Videos

Employee spotlight videos are short, personalized videos that highlight an employee’s unique contributions, personal achievements, and work journey. These videos allow employees to feel valued and share their stories with colleagues and the wider company community. 

If you are interviewing employees from their home office, take extra steps to make sure the audio and visual quality is high (we conduct virtual story sessions here at Stories Inc.). 

There are so many opportunities to use employee spotlight videos to recognize employees. A few include: 

• Work anniversaries 
• Promotions
• Completing a major project 
• DEI holidays, like Pride or International Women’s Day
• Completing a company-provided program, like using the tuition reimbursement benefit to earn a master’s degree

See how we combined a virtual interview with personal photos to create this anniversary video: 

Video content is authentic and memorable, which makes it a powerful medium for recognizing employees. When these videos are shared internally—and, when appropriate, externally—they provide a meaningful boost to employees and humanize the employer brand. 

Pro tips: To create effective employee spotlight videos, keep them short and focused on the employee’s story, role, and impact. Sharing these on internal platforms, such as the company intranet, or external platforms like LinkedIn can amplify recognition. Involving colleagues and managers in the video with a few words of appreciation can make the content even more meaningful.

2. Core Value Awards

Core value awards are a fun and meaningful way to celebrate employees who bring your company values—like “Innovation,” “Collaboration,” or “Integrity”—to life. They’re a great reminder of what your organization stands for, all while making employees feel extra connected to your mission. Plus, these awards work anywhere, whether your team is in the office, remote, or somewhere in between!

Clearly communicate the values each award represents, so employees understand what behaviors are recognized. Make it easy for colleagues and managers to submit nominations, and send out consistent reminders throughout the year to keep the awards submissions top of mind. 

Announce the winners during virtual town halls, team meetings, or using digital certificates that employees can proudly display on their internal profiles or social media. 

And don’t let those amazing nomination stories go to waste! Turn them into digital content that shows how winners embody your core values, inspiring others to follow their lead. For example, Stories Inc. took winning submissions and turned them into eye-catching social graphics that kept the excitement going beyond the awards ceremony.

3. Use Employee Advocacy to Give Public Shout-outs

Encouraging leaders and team members to give public shout-outs on platforms like LinkedIn is a powerful (and free!) way to celebrate achievements while also helping employees build their personal brand. Public acknowledgment boosts employees’ pride and visibility and adds a valuable layer of professional development.

To make these shout-outs effective, provide guidance on how to write them well, including specific details about the employee’s achievements and personal contributions. Encourage consistency by making these shout-outs a regular practice within teams, whether for big milestones or smaller wins. 

Stories Inc. co-founder Lauryn Sargent shared this post after seeing our team in action on client site:

4. Make It a Surprise

Adding a surprise element to recognition can create a memorable and impactful experience. Surprise recognitions can include unexpected shout-outs during a team meeting, a surprise email from the CEO, or even a small virtual gathering to celebrate an employee’s contributions. The surprise aspect makes the recognition feel more genuine and heartfelt, and when employees aren’t expecting it, the impact of the recognition is heightened.

To incorporate surprise recognitions, plan them to coincide with specific project completions or achievements, but keep the timing unexpected. Consider recording these moments and sharing them internally or on social media to spread positive energy throughout the company. 

For a global gaming company, we helped them pull off a surprise awards ceremony under the guise of a culture video interview. Here’s how it looked behind the scenes:

Recognize team members no matter where work happens

As you think about how to recognize remote employees, consistency and authenticity are essential for building a positive, connected culture. By incorporating virtual recognition methods that are both authentic and varied, companies can create meaningful moments that reinforce their values and make employees feel truly appreciated. Encourage leaders and teams to embrace these recognition practices regularly to foster a culture of gratitude, pride, and connection.