Employee of the Month Plaque: Program Ideas & Wording

An employee of the month program is only as good as its follow-through. This guide covers how to set one up, whether to use a perpetual wall plaque, individual awards, or both, and the wording that makes each winner feel genuinely recognized.

What you need for an employee of the month program

Most employee of the month programs use two pieces: a perpetual wall plaque that lists every winner, and an individual award the winner keeps. The wall plaque builds a public history; the individual award is what makes it personal.

If budget allows only one, choose the perpetual plaque for visibility and add individual awards later. If the team is remote or spread across sites, individual awards matter more, since not everyone will see the wall.

Perpetual plates · Employee recognition awards

Setting up the program

A good program has clear criteria, a simple nomination process, and a fixed announcement date every month. Tie the criteria to two or three company values or behaviors, so winners are chosen for something specific rather than popularity.

Let peers nominate, have a small rotating committee choose, and announce the winner at the same meeting each month. Consistency is the whole point: a program that skips months quietly tells people it no longer matters.

Decide up front whether someone can win twice in a year, and whether managers are eligible. Write it down so the rules survive staff changes.

Employee recognition guide

Perpetual vs individual plaques

A perpetual plaque shows every winner on one wall board, while an individual plaque or award goes home with each winner. They serve different purposes and work best together.

Perpetual: one board, a header engraved once, and a new name plate each month. Plan for at least 12 plates per year; a board with 24 or more plates covers two years or longer.

Individual: a 5x7 to 8x10 wood plaque or an acrylic desk award with the month, year, and name. Design it once and reuse the same layout every month so the set is consistent.

Perpetual plaque guide · Acrylic awards

Wording for the perpetual plaque

The header names the program and the organization; each plate carries the name and month. Some header examples, each shown with its first name plate on the last line (a slash marks a line break):

[Company Name]
Employee of the Month
[Name]
January 20XX
Employee of the Month
In Recognition of Excellence
At [Company Name]
[Name], January 20XX
[Company Name]
Star Performer of the Month
Excellence. Integrity. Teamwork.
[Name], [Month] 20XX
[Department Name]
Team Member of the Month
Honoring Those Who Serve
With Distinction and Grace
[Name], [Month] 20XX

Name plate formats that stay readable as the board fills up:

[Name]
January 20XX
January 20XX
[Name]
[Name]
[Department]
January 20XX

Wording for individual employee of the month awards

Individual award wording should name the month, the person, and ideally one specific reason. A wall plaque or larger award can close with the traditional line "Presented on this ## day of [Month], 20XX", with ## and 20XX filled in with the date. Examples:

Employee of the Month
[Name]
[Company Name]
Presented on this ## day of [Month], 20XX
Congratulations, [Name]
Employee of the Month, [Month] 20XX
With Gratitude for the Extra Mile
You Walk Without Being Asked
[Company Name]
Employee of the Month
[Name]
For Service That Turns Customers
Into Lifelong Friends
Presented on this ## day of [Month], 20XX
In Recognition of
[Name]
Employee of the Month
For Diligence, Integrity, and Care
In All That You Do
Presented on this ## day of [Month], 20XX
Employee of the Month
[Name]
Whose Good Work Makes [Company Name]
Better Every Day
Presented on this ## day of [Month], 20XX
Employee of the Quarter
[Name]
First Quarter, 20XX
[Company Name]
Presented on this ## day of [Month], 20XX
Employee of the Year
[Name]
Chosen From Twelve Monthly Honorees
For a Year of Exemplary Service
[Company Name]
Presented on this ## day of [Month], 20XX

60+ plaque wording ideas

Keeping the program running

Keep your approved proofs as templates. Each month, send us the winner's name for the next wall plate and individual award in the same format, and we engrave them to match.

Order right after the winner is announced. Proofs arrive within one business day and most pieces ship within about two business days of approval, so you can present the award within the same month. For a same-week presentation, Same-Day Service covers select in-stock items for a rush fee.

At year end, the twelve monthly winners make a natural shortlist for employee of the year, which is a good occasion for a larger plaque or a crystal award.

Same-Day Service · Crystal awards

Frequently asked questions

What should an employee of the month plaque say?

The perpetual wall plaque should name the program and company in the header, with each name plate showing the winner and month. Individual awards add the month, name, and one specific reason.

Should I use a perpetual plaque or individual awards?

Both work best: the perpetual plaque shows the history on the wall, and the individual award is something the winner keeps. If you pick one, start with the perpetual plaque.

How many plates does an employee of the month plaque need?

At least 12 per year. A board with 24 or more plates covers two years or longer before you need a second board.

How do I add each month's winner?

Send us the winner's name in the same format as your earlier plates and we engrave a matching plate, with a free proof before it is made.

How fast can I get an employee of the month award?

Proofs arrive within one business day and most pieces ship within about two business days of approval. Same-Day Service is available on select in-stock items.

What is a good employee of the month award besides a plaque?

Acrylic desk awards, engraved paperweights, and desk clocks all work. Pick one style and keep it consistent every month.

Pieces that suit this wording

Start designing your custom plaque — free proof, no setup fees.