Reuters Rolls Global Recognition Program

This just in: Reuters has launched its first global recognition program, to be rolled out to 14,700 employees in more than 90 countries.

The Living FAST Recognition Program recognizes employees and teams who exceed expectations in demonstrating and practicing Reuters’ core corporate values, including corporate and social responsibility in the community, environment and workplace.

Award winners receive a Reuters-branded award by e-mail or by mail in Reuters Points. The recipient then goes to a branded redemption site, selects the country they live in and then uses the points to buy products from a selection of local merchants. Points are awarded in denominations ranging from 25 to 2,500.

“The program motivates our employees because it puts meaningful recognition in their own hands and delivers rewards of their own choosing, in their own currency,” said Monica Albano, executive VP-human resources at Reuters.

A customized e-mail campaign promotes the program along with post-launch communications.

Employee nominations are approved for local recognition in each region, and then automatically submitted and assessed for global recognition, with global winners selected twice a year. Program Web sites are provided in six different languages.

Boston-based incentive marketing company Globoforce handles the program.

“We wanted our own branded points program, which could be translated in local currencies, no matter where the award recipient lives,” said Reuters executive VP-human resources Monica Albano. “One of the critical criteria for choosing Globoforce is because it was the only one that could provide us with award options that are locally relevant.”