2025 Workhuman Global Research Study: The Tangible Value of Appreciation

December 5, 2025

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Most companies spend heavily on rewards without really knowing what works. Our latest survey of 2,500 employees shows that when people have a very positive rewards experience, they’re 19x more likely to recommend their organization as a great place to work – and frequent redeemers report 34% higher belonging.

The catch: not all rewards are created equal. The value, frequency, choice, and redemption experience all shape whether rewards feel credible and motivating, or forgettable and unfair.

In the 2025 Workhuman Global Research Study, The Tangible Value of Appreciation, we explore:

The five dimensions of meaningful rewards — tangible, connected, memorable, universal, and personalized
How reward design affects motivation, belonging, advocacy, and retention, with new data and benchmarks
Practical steps to redesign rewards so every “thank you” delivers real emotional and business impact

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