Name: Humanizing Employee Recognition with AI
Start: 2026-01-15T16:00:00Z
End: 2026-01-15T16:00:45.000Z
Location: BrightTALK

Our mission is to connect people to purpose through frequent, meaningful recognition and motivating rewards. We inspire action, align cultures and drive the behaviors that lead to organizational success.

Employee recognition is most powerful when it's accessible, inclusive, and embedded across the entire organization — through daily routines, team rituals, and every employee touchpoint.

This session explores how organizations are tailoring recognition to different workforce populations and integrating recognition across the employee lifecycle, from onboarding to exit. Hear how Sun Life, Seattle Children's Hospital, and Prisma Health connect their employee recognition programs to broader HR strategies, ensure recognition touches every stage of the employee journey, and leverage recognition to connect dispersed teams.

You'll learn:
- How to design recognition programs that live in employees' existing flow of work
- Ways to use technology to make recognition frictionless and inclusive for all
- Strategies to foster a culture of everyday appreciation

Recognition Every Day: Embedding Appreciation Across the Employee Experience

Recognition is more than a feel-good gesture — it’s a strategic lever for performance. This session explores how Cineplex and Air Canada are using employee recognition programs to drive measurable business outcomes, from increased employee retention to improved customer net promoter scores.

Learn how recognition can be embedded into daily operations, even in high-pressure environments, and how it can be scaled across diverse teams. We’ll unpack how gamification, storytelling, and themed incentives can transform recognition into into a powerful engagement and performance tool for your organization.

You'll learn:
- How to tie recognition directly to key business goals
- Scalable strategies to engage, motivate, and retain frontline and deskless teams
- Tips for making recognition a consistent leadership behavior

Turning Employee Appreciation into Performance

In 2025, employee recognition is at risk of disappearing. Only 19% of employees report being recognized weekly, a sharp decline from 29% in 2024. 

This webinar explores the latest findings from Achievers Workforce Institute’s State of Recognition report, revealing how lack of appreciation in the workplace is fueling disengagement, eroding trust, and threatening retention. We’ll unpack the latest workforce data and examine why recognition — especially from managers — is a critical driver of performance, belonging, and resilience. You'll learn:
- Why appreciation isn’t just a “nice-to-have” but a strategic imperative for all organizations
- The current state of employee recognition and its impact on engagement, performance, and retention
- How to reverse the current recognition decline and start fostering a culture of frequent, meaningful appreciation

Creating a Culture of Appreciation in 2025

Despite having hundreds of tools designed to connect employees, employees still feel both overwhelmed and underwhelmed at work. Research from Achievers Workforce Institute reveals that only 15% of employees believe their company effectively facilitates these connections, while constant context-switching between apps takes a toll on both productivity and morale.

In this panel discussion, Anu Subramanian, Chief Technology Officer at Achievers, will be joined by leaders from Workday and GoDaddy to explore the technology, talent, teamwork, and intelligence needed for your people and your company to win. 

You'll learn:
- How GoDaddy and Workday embed recognition into the fabric of their employee experience to foster belonging, inclusivity, and performance
- Strategies to scale recognition across dispersed teams and cultures
- Ideas for evolving your recognition program from transactional to transformational, helping to surface emerging talent, celebrate wins in real time, and reinforce behaviors that drive results

How Recognition Fuels Talent, Teamwork, and Intelligence

Appreciation is universal — but how it’s expressed and received varies widely across cultures. 

In this session, Achievers' Senior Director of Customer Success, Emma Harvie, is joined by Moxa's Head of Learning and Development, Julie Lin, to explore how organizations can foster belonging and appreciation in diverse, multicultural environments. 

They'll share:
- How Moxa built a culturally attuned employee recognition and rewards strategy, starting in Taiwan and scaling globally
- Inclusive recognition strategies that drive employee engagement and retention
- Tips to foster a culture of appreciation and belonging that feels authentic, inclusive, and scalable across dynamic, multi-generational, and multi-cultural teams

Building a Recognition Program That Resonates Across Multicultural Workforces

Employee recognition isn’t just about celebrating wins. When done right, recognition can build a connected, engaged workforce and deliver measurable outcomes for the business. 

In this session, we’ll explore how Duracell and Duck Creek Technologies' strategic recognition programs have helped foster community, improve engagement scores, and align their employees with company values. You'll learn:
- How employee recognition drives community and cross-team visibility
- Tips for linking recognition to engagement, retention, and productivity data
- Real stories showcasing how you can make recognition part of everyday culture for employees and people leaders

Strategic Recognition in Action: Driving Engagement, Community, and Culture

Today's employees want career growth, recognition, and a culture that supports their well-being, and companies that prioritize and innovate within these areas are seeing measurable business impact — higher engagement, stronger culture, and increased profitability. 

In this panel discussion, hear from leaders across Achievers, Deloitte, Unilever Food Solutions, Pearson, and ING as they explore bridging the gap between employee expectations and strategic imperatives. 

They'll discuss:
- How to create a workplace culture that supports growth and flexibility
- Engagement, retention, and recognition strategies that drive purpose and performance
- Real-world examples of connecting culture and business strategy to unlock engagement, foster cross-functional collaboration, and create meaningful career opportunities

Culture-Driven Strategy: Aligning People and Business for Lasting Impact

Employee engagement is the outcome, but employee experience is the strategy. In this session, we'll unpack the latest workforce research and the conditions that must exist for employees to do the best work of their lives, at time where only 36% feel engaged and 20% feel meaningfully recognized at work. 

Join Achievers Workforce Institute's Managing Director, David Bator, and Associate Director of Customer Success, Emma Harvie, as they share insights for optimizing the employee experience in 2025. Discover how recognition, coaching, and connection can transform your people strategy and drive lasting commitment.

You'll learn:
- The latest research and trends shaping employee engagement today
- Four key factors that define manager effectiveness in the modern workplace
- How leading organizations are building resilient and high-performing cultures with employee recognition programs

Rethinking the Employee Experience in 2025: From Engagement to Empowerment

Today’s HR leaders are being challenged to re-evaluate their people strategies and rethink how they’re leveraging technology, leadership, and talent as digital transformation accelerates across all industries. 

Join Achievers’ Head of Market Research and Community, Brie Harvey, and HR Leaders’ CEO and Co-Founder, Chris Rainey, as they sit down at UNLEASH America Conference & Exhibition to interview global HR executives about leading with agility, empathy, and purpose in 2025.

Hear from leaders across McDonald’s, ServiceNow, GE Healthcare, and other top brands as they discuss:
- Strategies for building resilient, skills-based workforces
- How to ensure AI is enhancing and not diminishing the human element in the workplace
- The critical role of leadership development and cross-functional collaboration in driving business transformation

How HR is Leading Through Change with Purpose and People

As AI dominates today’s headlines, HR leaders are being called to reimagine the workplace — not just with technology, but with humanity at the core.

Join Achievers’ Head of Market Research and Community, Brie Harvey, and HR Leaders’ CEO and Co-Founder, Chris Rainey, as they sit down at UNLEASH America Conference & Exhibition to interview global HR executives about building people-first strategies in the age of AI.

Hear from leaders across Coca-Cola, Lenovo, PepsiCo, and other top brands as they discuss:
- Strategies for simplifying HR tech ecosystems to enhance the employee experience
- How to balance AI innovation with human connection
- The critical role of trust, governance, and culture in driving sustainable business transformation

How HR is Leading with Humanity in the AI Era

In today’s evolving workplace, trust is no longer a “nice-to-have” — it’s a business imperative. Yet, only 23% of employees report strong trust in their leaders. 

Join Achievers Workforce Institute's Managing Director, David Bator, for an insightful discussion with global leadership expert, Marcel Schwantes, exploring the root causes of today's trust deficit and practical strategies to reverse it.

They'll draw on the latest research from Achievers Workforce Institute and Marcel's new book, Humane Leadership, to share:
- How leaders can foster cultures of trust, psychological safety, and belonging to fuel creativity and resilience
- Why frequent, meaningful recognition drives team engagement and loyalty
- What it takes to lead with authenticity, humility, and emotional honesty

Leading with Trust: The Key to Strengthening Organizational Culture and Success

Although it has been well-established that meaningful rewards can boost employee engagement and performance – and despite employers spending nearly $200 billion annually on rewards and recognition — less than half of employees feel valued at work. 

In this session, Achievers' Head of Market Research and Community, Brie Harvey, will share the latest research from Achievers Workforce Institute exploring the evolving landscape of employee rewards. We'll uncover the most common reasons why many well-intended investments in traditional rewards programs fall flat and fail to drive cultural and behavioral outcomes.  

You'll learn:
- How to balance the quality and quantity of employee recognition and rewards
- Strategies for measuring the impact of recognition and rewards, linking it to retention, performance, and business outcomes
- Tips for fostering a culture of recognition that's meaningful, frequent, and cost-effective

How Traditional Employee Rewards Programs Miss the Mark

Burnout in healthcare is at an all-time high, and organizations must act now to support and retain their frontline teams.

In this session, healthcare experts from Achievers, Workday, Bon Secours Mercy Health, and Seattle Children's Hospital will explore how organizations can combat burnout and foster meaningful connections that drive engagement and retention. They'll share their experiences implementing innovative HR tools and technology that align with organizational culture while empowering leaders to recognize and support their teams more effectively.

You'll learn:
- How Bon Secours Mercy Health and Seattle Children's Hospital are using technology and human-centered leadership to drive engagement, improve retention, and empower their workforce
- Real-world strategies for recognizing and valuing healthcare workers
- Data-driven approaches to skills-based development, internal mobility, and workload distribution

Engaging and Retaining Healthcare Workers Through HR Technology

Deskless workers make up 80% of the global workforce, yet they are often the most overlooked when it comes to recognition, engagement, and total rewards strategies. Without access to traditional HR systems or digital communication channels, frontline employees in industries like manufacturing, logistics, construction, and retail are at higher risk of burnout, disengagement, and turnover — directly impacting business performance.

In this session, leaders from Achievers, Air Canada, The LEGO Group, Baylor Scott & White Health, and VCA Animal Hospitals will explore how organizations can close the recognition gap and drive retention, morale, and productivity among their deskless workforce. You'll discover innovative, real-world approaches that bring recognition to every employee, no matter where or how they work.

You’ll learn:
- How to design mobile-first, accessible recognition programs that reach deskless employees in real time
- Strategies to personalize total rewards to better motivate and retain frontline workers
- How leading companies are using technology to bridge the gap between corporate HR and field-based teams
- Key metrics to measure the impact of recognition on engagement, retention, and business success

Building an Employee Recognition Program for the Deskless Workforce

Recognition and rewards (R&R) go beyond acknowledging achievements — they are powerful tools for building trust, boosting engagement, and reinforcing behaviours that contribute to a psychologically safe workplace. When delivered authentically, R&R helps employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Join industry leaders from Achievers and The Lottery Corporation as they share how they’re designing recognition and rewards programs that promote psychological safety, along with key takeaways from recent Safe Work Australia legislation impacting all organisations.

In this session, you’ll learn:
- How recognition and rewards contribute to a psychologically safe workplace
- Strategies to mitigate bias and promote equity in R&R programs
- Real-world examples of low-cost, high-impact approaches to building employee resilience and safety

How Employee Recognition Enhances Resilience and Psychological Safety

Organizations are being tested like never before as they work to uphold cultural values amid evolving regulations and societal pressures. Leaders must find innovative ways to adapt while staying true to their principles — ensuring every employee feels valued, heard, and essential.

Join experts from Achievers, Contemporary Leadership Advisors, Workday, and Zurich North America as they share strategies for building strong workplace cultures in uncertain times.

You'll learn:
- How Workday and Zurich North America are reimagining talent development and engagement
- Strategies to foster an environment where employees can authentically contribute and thrive
- New ways to leverage recognition to drive inclusion, empowerment, and cultural continuity

Building Belonging and Connection in Uncertain Times

In this fireside chat, Emma Harvie, Achievers Workforce Institute Advisor, will be joined by Florence Mauwa, Performance and Reward Executive at Telstra, and Hannah Yardley, Chief People Officer at Achievers, to explore how organizations can navigate cultural and operational challenges amid economic shifts, AI adoption, and evolving employee expectations. Through expert insights and real-world examples, you'll learn how recognition can drive productivity and long-term growth.

In this session, you’ll learn:
- How organizations can support employees through change and uncertainty
- The role of recognition in enhancing engagement, retention, and performance
- Strategies to foster a resilient and adaptable workplace culture

Embracing Cultural Continuity in Times of Change

Organizations are reimagining how they connect with employees as AI technology continues to evolve. In this panel discussion, hear from leaders across Achievers, Burson, Lumen Technologies, Ryan LLC, and Apotex as they explore how AI is revolutionizing employee recognition and rewards programs, making them more inclusive, timely, and impactful. 

They'll discuss:
- Strategies for embedding recognition into everyday workflows, helping to drive consistency and adoption across teams
- How AI provides actionable insights and nudges that make recognition timely, equitable, and aligned with business goals
- Aligning recognition with organizational values to boost performance, retention, and wellbeing

Humanizing Employee Recognition with AI

Employee Recognition

Artificial Intelligence

Technology

HR Technology

Company Culture

Employee Engagement

Employee Experience

Human Resources

Happy employees make productive employees. HR managers are now finding that compensation and benefits alone cannot keep employees happy; they also need nurturing through proper training and development. Join the BrightTALK talent management community to learn how to engage and retain your best talent by providing them with the tools and rewards they need to enhance their performance and reach their potential.

Talent Management

Small businesses and enterprises alike are competing for not only market share, but also for the best employees to move their businesses forward. Competitive salary and benefits packages are the foundation of high employee satisfaction. Join this community to keep up with changing regulations and learn how to optimize workforce costs with competitive yet cost-effective employee benefits and compensation plans.

Benefits and Compensation

Modern human resources professionals are charged with not only the recruitment of talent, but also retention, satisfaction and management. They also support the training, assessment and compensation aspects of employee management. Join this community to connect with thought leaders and learn about trends in benefits, compensation and talent management. Stay ahead of the curve to attract and retain top talent and strengthen organizational leadership and culture.

HR Strategy

Get powerful human resource management insights for your business. Connect with experts and colleagues to get the most up-to-date knowledge on which HR practices and strategies have been shown to be effective in retaining and growing talent.

Get powerful learning and development insights from influential experts. Connect with thought leaders and colleagues to get the most up-to-date knowledge in the field.

Learning and Development

Human resources is intrinsically linked to business success and requires a thoughtful balance of a variety of complex issues. The human resources community on BrightTALK is made up of thousands of professionals in human resources exchanging human resources best practices and advice. Watch hundreds of on-demand webinars for immediate information or participate in upcoming live webinars and have your questions answered by respected HR thought leaders.

Humanizing Employee Recognition with AI

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Achievers