Why We Don’t Do Employee of the Month—and What We Do Instead

You won’t find a generic “Employee of the Month” plaque hanging in our office. That’s because, in a real cleaning business, the glue that holds the team together is rarely just one person.

Instead, we’ve built a strategic recognition program that rewards multiple types of contribution—tied directly to our business goals, values, and leadership strategy. Here’s how we make it meaningful, fair, and effective.

🔑 The Philosophy: Every Award Must Map Back to Strategy

In our business, nothing is done for fluff or tokenism—and that includes awards.

Each recognition moment is connected to:

• Our MOPs (Mission Critical Operating Procedures)

• Our Annual Goals

• Our Core Values

This ensures recognition isn’t just a “feel-good” exercise. Instead, it reinforces who we are and where we’re going as a company.

🏆 The Three Awards We Use Every Month

Excellence doesn’t look the same for everyone. That’s why we give out three awards every month, each highlighting a different type of contribution:

🏅 Excellence Award

For team members who consistently operate at a high level and deliver outstanding results in line with our standards and client expectations.

📈 Most Improved

For those who’ve shown marked progress—whether it’s bouncing back from a tough month or overcoming a particular challenge. This award proves we celebrate progress, not just perfection.

💖 Values Embodiment

Each month, we spotlight one of our values (e.g., accountability, willingness to learn, service) and celebrate the person who lived it out best.

📋 The Voting Process

Fairness and integrity are critical, so we use a structured system:

• Voting happens on the 20th of each month.

• A Google Form is sent to supervisors, managers, senior team members, and the office team.

• Voting is anonymous—no collusion, no favoritism.

• Votes are collated by the office team.

Important Rule:
No one can sweep the awards. If a team member wins all three categories in a single month, it only happens once. If someone wins the same award three times in a row, they sit out for a month.

This avoids a “superstar monopoly” and keeps recognition diverse.

🎁 Prizes That Actually Get Used

We’ve trialled plenty of rewards:

• Café gift cards (often unused)

• Hairdressing appointments (popular but hard to coordinate)

• Movie passes

• Fuel cards

The clear winner, time and again?

➡️ A $20–$30 generic gift card
Usable at Woolworths, Coles, Kmart, or petrol stations. Practical, versatile, and always appreciated.

📜 Don’t Skip the Certificate

One of the simplest yet most powerful recognition tools is a professionally designed, laminated certificate.

Here’s why it matters:

• It boosts their resume.

• It shows future employers they worked in a values-driven, professional workplace.

• It spreads brand awareness and your business values into the wider workforce.

Recognition isn’t just internal—it doubles as external marketing.

🚚 Delivering the Awards

We never just send an email.

Instead, we:

• Visit them on-site or during a shift.

• Personally hand over the certificate and gift.

• Vary who delivers it—sometimes it’s a supervisor, sometimes the office team, sometimes me as the business owner.

This personal touch makes recognition meaningful and memorable.

🎯 Final Thoughts

Recognition isn’t about playing favourites or rewarding only the “perfect” cleaner. It’s about building a culture where effort, progress, and values-based behaviour are celebrated and replicated.

If you’re a cleaning business owner looking to strengthen your workplace culture, ditch the cookie-cutter “Employee of the Month” model. Instead, build a recognition system that aligns with your strategy, values, and mission.