What actually drives employee engagement today? For many organizations, that question feels more urgent than ever. Leaders are being asked to improve engagement, strengthen retention, and support performance in a workplace shaped by hybrid work, changing employee expectations, and growing pressure to do more with limited time and resources. Sarah Marrs, organizational psychologist and Global Lead of Awardco’s Center of Excellence, will share new research that helps answer this question through a more practical, evidence-based lens.

In this session, attendees will explore what Awardco’s research reveals about the relationship between recognition, motivation, and employee engagement. Sarah’s work examines the impact of recognition on employee behavior and organizational outcomes, including how different motivation archetypes show up at work and how recognition can reinforce effort, connection, and performance.

The session will also highlight an important reality for HR leaders: not all recognition is equally effective. Research from Awardco shows that how recognition is delivered, who it comes from, and how often it happens all influence engagement outcomes. In broader recognition research, employees who reported receiving no recognition at all showed engagement scores nearly 40 points lower than those who did, and the data also suggests that manager recognition needs to happen at least quarterly while senior leader recognition has a longer-lasting effect.

Rather than offering vague inspiration or one-size-fits-all advice, this webcast will help attendees understand what the evidence says and how to apply it. Sarah will connect research to practical action, showing how organizations can design recognition strategies that feel personal, meaningful, and scalable, even as technology plays a larger role in the employee experience.

Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of what motivates people, why recognition is such a powerful lever for engagement, and how to build programs that support both human needs and business outcomes.