Crafting the Perfect Employee of the Month Award Message
An employee of the month plaque serves as a lasting reminder of hard work and dedication. The words you choose matter. A generic message gets forgotten, while a thoughtful inscription creates something employees keep for years.
The best plaque messages include three key elements: the employee’s name, the recognition title, and a specific reason for the award. Adding the date and company name provides context that makes the achievement feel official.
When ordering employee of the month plaques, consider what you want recipients to feel when they read the inscription. Pride? Motivation? A sense of belonging? Your wording shapes that emotional response.
At All Time Awards in San Diego, we help businesses create custom recognition pieces that employees actually want to display. Contact us today to design your company’s recognition program with plaques that make an impact.
Now let’s explore exactly what to include on your next award.
Standard Elements Every Plaque for Employee of the Month Should Include
The Basic Information
Every recognition plaque needs certain foundational details. Without these, the award loses its meaning and professional appearance.
Start with the employee’s full name, spelled correctly. This seems obvious, but misspellings happen more often than you’d think. Double-check before ordering.
Include the award title “Employee of the Month” prominently. Add the month and year of recognition. Your company name and logo should also appear on the plaque.
Optional Personal Touches
Beyond the basics, consider adding the employee’s job title or department. This provides context about their role and achievements.
A brief achievement statement personalizes the recognition. Instead of leaving it generic, specify why this person earned the honor.
Sample Wording for Your Employee of the Month Plaque
Finding the right words can be challenging. Here are proven inscription formats that work well:
- Formal: “[Employee Name] | Employee of the Month | [Month, Year] | In Recognition of Outstanding Performance and Dedication | [Company Name]”
- Achievement-Focused: “Presented to [Employee Name] | For Exceptional [Specific Achievement] | Employee of the Month | [Month, Year]”
- Values-Based: “[Employee Name] | Employee of the Month | Exemplifying Our Core Values of [Value] and [Value] | [Month, Year] | [Company Name]”
- Simple and Clean: “[Employee Name] | Employee of the Month | [Month, Year] | Thank You for Your Hard Work | [Company Name]”
- Team-Oriented: “With Gratitude to [Employee Name] | Whose Leadership and Teamwork Made [Specific Result] Possible | Employee of the Month | [Month, Year]”
Choose a format that matches your company culture and the specific reason for recognition.
Achievement-Specific Messages for Employee of the Month Awards
Sales and Revenue Recognition
When recognizing sales achievements, be specific about the accomplishment. Mention exceeded quotas, new accounts won, or revenue milestones reached.
Example: “For surpassing quarterly goals by 40% and securing our largest client partnership of the year.”
Customer Service Excellence
Customer-facing employees deserve recognition that highlights their impact on client relationships.
Example: “For maintaining a 98% customer satisfaction rating and resolving complex issues with patience and professionalism.”
Innovation and Problem-Solving
Did someone find a better way to do things? Call that out specifically on the plaque.
Example: “For developing a new inventory process that reduced waste by 25% and improved efficiency across all departments.”
How Long Should an Employee of the Month Award Inscription Be?
Space matters when designing employee of the month plaques. Most standard plaques accommodate 30 to 75 words comfortably.
Shorter inscriptions (under 30 words) work well for clean, modern designs. They’re easy to read at a glance and look professional on office walls.
Longer inscriptions allow for more detail about the achievement. However, too much text becomes difficult to read and can look cluttered.
Consider the plaque size you’re ordering. Larger plaques can handle more text, while smaller recognition pieces need concise wording. Your awards provider can help you balance design with message length.
Personalization Tips for a Meaningful Plaque for Employee of the Month
Reference Specific Behaviors
Generic phrases like “great work” don’t resonate. Instead, mention what the employee actually did.
Did they stay late to meet a deadline? Mentor a new team member? Handle a difficult situation with grace? Name it.
Specificity shows you noticed their individual contribution, not just their general presence.
Match Your Company Voice
A law firm’s plaque will sound different from a creative agency’s award. Your inscription should reflect how your company communicates.
Formal companies might use traditional language. Casual workplaces can incorporate humor or more relaxed phrasing.
Consider the Display Location
Where will this employee of the month award end up? Home offices, cubicle walls, and living room shelves all call for slightly different tones.
Many employees display these awards for years. Write something that will still feel relevant and meaningful over time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid on Employee of the Month Plaques
Even well-intentioned recognition programs make errors. Here’s what to watch out for:
- Spelling the employee’s name incorrectly
- Using the wrong month or year
- Writing vague messages that could apply to anyone
- Cramming too much text onto a small plaque
- Forgetting to include your company name or logo
- Using language that feels insincere or corporate-speak heavy
- Ordering plaques with inconsistent formatting across different months
Proof everything twice. Have someone besides the person who wrote the inscription review it before placing your order.
Creating a Consistent Recognition Program
Your employee of the month plaque design should remain consistent across your program. This builds brand recognition and makes the awards feel part of a larger tradition.
Decide on a standard format, font style, and layout. Document these choices so future orders match previous ones.
Consider creating a simple template for inscriptions. This ensures all recognized employees receive the same level of thoughtfulness in their award wording.
Consistency also helps with budgeting. When you know exactly what you’re ordering each month, you can plan costs accordingly and avoid surprise expenses.
Recognition programs work best when they feel established and ongoing. A well-designed plaque for employee of the month becomes something employees actively work toward earning.
The words on an employee recognition award carry weight. Take time to craft inscriptions that honor individual achievements while reinforcing your company values. Your employees will notice the difference.
