Introducing The Recognition Rebellion: Gen Z's employee recognition playbook

For years, companies have known that how you recognise your people matters – for productivity, the bottom line and team happiness.

But today’s employees are no longer satisfied with surface-level perks or one-size-fits-all “thank you’s”. They’re calling time on tokenism and pushing for purpose-driven employee recognition that feels personalised and tangible. 

If you’re a Gen Z employee navigating outdated systems and performative perks, we wrote our latest report for you.

The Recognition Rebellion is a new kind of report. More than a dusty HR guide, it’s a call to arms for ambitious, values-led professionals who want to turn every “congrats!” into career currency. For people who care about purpose and are smart enough to Trojan horse it into the employee engagement system.

 

Why employee recognition needs a rethink

Future of work research from the likes of Deloitte and Zurich demonstrates that for next-gen employees feeling valued at work has everything to do with employers demonstrating shared values. 

You’ve grown up with activism in your pocket and brand accountability on your “For You” page. You know when a company’s full of hot air, so you’re not looking for meaningless gestures dressed up as culture.

This report is all about using recognition — new starter onboarding packs, reward and recognition gifts and the like — as your strategic lever to drive real change, influence culture, improve wellbeing, build your brand and maybe even get a promotion.

This is about purpose alongside praise – and smart leaders are learning that recognising you properly is how to keep you around.

What you’ll learn from The Recognition Rebellion report

Inside this employee engagement playbook, we’ve uncovered the trends that your HR leaders can’t ignore with bold insights and a roadmap to make your values visible and influential.

We dive into:

Why Gen Z is rejecting old-school employee recognition
And what you’re really looking for instead.

Real brand insights
From next-gen founders like Bold Bean Company’s Amelia Christie-Miller, brand culture and wellbeing experts Leila Fataar of Platform13 and Charlotte Horler of Nula, plus our own Impact Manager Becky Elliott.

How to Trojan horse your values into culture change
Turning trends into a smart strategy to level up your employee engagement programme so that it speaks to – and retains – your Gen Z peers. 

Talking ROI like a boss
So you can make a case for culture that the C-suite actually listens to – with an example script to help you get buy-in from your line manager.

Who should download?

✔️ Gen Z and ‘next-gen-thinking’ team members ready to pitch smarter, more sustainable employee recognition strategies, starting with meaningful gifting
✔️ Culture champions and DEI advocates tired of being performatively heard
✔️ Future leaders who understand that recognition means reputation, which, in turn, means career currency
✔️ People who want to build a workplace worth staying in (and inviting others into)

Ready to create positive sentiment and positive change with your employee recognition programme?

We believe meaningful change starts with purpose-driven intentions followed by action. If you’ve read the playbook and are ready to plan and implement impact-led employee gifting as part of a new recognition programme, we’re ready to support. Drop us a line to see how our technology platform and social impact gifts can help make the transition a cinch.