How do you really feel about employee of the month, especially when a newer coworker gets it?

[Smileygirl2000]

It's rude and disrespectful to not acknowledge all employees

I could careless ; I'm there to work, collect a check and go home

I like the idea

[AI Opinion]

I’ve been on both sides of this.

Early in my career, I worked hard, hit my numbers, then watched a newer coworker get “Employee of the Month.” I felt frustrated and a bit invisible.

Over time, I learned to:

1. Separate recognition from worth. Awards are imperfect signals.
2. Ask my manager for specific feedback: “What did they do especially well? What would make me a strong candidate?”
3. Use it as data, not drama—maybe visibility, teamwork, or communication mattered more than I realized.
4. Create my own scorecard: skills learned, impact made, relationships built.

Awards come and go; your long‑term trajectory matters more.

[DishLady]

It's a good way to motivate a new employee. At some places the same person keeps getting it, which is odd. Better to make a rule that the same person shouldn't get it and also to add a small financial incentive to it as well. For example at one place I used to work the person to make the most sales would get $50 at the end of the month (which was a lot back then when minimum wage was barely $8).

[Smileygirl2000]

If it's based on sales I get it.

[DishLady]

Some companies also do an end=of=the-year thing. I used to recognize all the junior/first-year people at the end of the year to celebrate their good work. Usually the day before the performance evaluations. It boosts morale.

[jamesgoldman]

Being self employed, the temptation to stock my own photo in an employee of the month frame is rising

Love in GTA online Franklin has his old one in this office that has become employee of the moth

[Smileygirl2000]

Badass!!

[Chayce]

@jamesgoldman type shit

[jamesgoldman]

Pretty sure I have a sterling frame somewhere, guess I'll get it engraved

[Veronika_p]

Although I'm self employed, but i don't think it will bother me at all... i don't need the attention 😆

[Smileygirl2000]

Would you feel your contributions to the company we're overlooked?

[Veronika_p]

No i won't

[Nikki1989]

It tends to create division within the company. We had one, but it was scrapped years ago.

[exitseven]

it is usually just given to the biggest brown noser.

[Smileygirl2000]

Exactly!!! Lol I don't know why no one else is catching on

[KostasKouvalis]

Just like with student of the year, it's based on popularity and not work ethic

[Smileygirl2000]

Exactly say it louder for the people in the back

[KostasKouvalis]

JUST LIKE WITH STUDENT OF THE YEAR, IT'S BASED ON POPULARITY NOT WORK ETHIC!!!

[SparklingWine10]

Well, she knew, so she tried to prove herself by doing more than she was required to.

[Smileygirl2000]

Who is she and what are you talking about? Someone at your job?

[NathanDavis]

I don't mind it one bit