Developing an Organizational HR Awards Program
This paper outlines the development of a comprehensive organizational human resources awards program from the perspective of an HR director. It examines reward identification criteria, the WorldatWork Total Rewards framework—including compensation, benefits, work-life support, performance, recognition, development, and career opportunities—and the organizational rewards inventory derived from that framework. The paper also applies Schuster and Kesler's Star Model to explore strategic alignment between rewards systems and organizational capabilities, structure, and talent management. A five-milestone design process guides the program's development, culminating in a dynamic, employee-responsive rewards structure tied to performance and organizational goals.
- Introduction: Principles guiding rewards program development
- Identification of Rewards: Criteria for selecting meaningful, appropriate rewards
- WorldatWork Total Rewards Program: Seven components of the WorldatWork framework
- Work-Life Organizational Rewards Inventory: Eleven recognition program types in inventory
- The Star Model and Rewards System Design: Strategic alignment using the Star Model
- Summary and Conclusion: Rewards programs as dynamic, evolving systems
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What makes this paper effective
- The paper grounds its recommendations in established frameworks — the WorldatWork Total Rewards model and Schuster and Kesler's Star Model — giving the program structure both theoretical and practical credibility.
- It systematically addresses all required program elements (reward types, criteria, distribution, pay for performance, and risk/benefits) in a logical, sequenced format that mirrors real HR policy development.
- The numbered lists and defined components make the program easy to follow and directly applicable to an organizational setting, reflecting professional report-writing conventions.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates applied synthesis: it takes multiple authoritative HR frameworks and integrates them into a single, coherent policy proposal. Rather than describing frameworks in isolation, the author connects each component (e.g., compensation governance, performance milestones) to the practical question of how a real organization should design and administer its rewards program.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with an objective statement that contextualizes the scenario, followed by a brief introduction establishing program development principles. Four substantive sections then build progressively: reward identification criteria, the WorldatWork Total Rewards components, the organizational rewards inventory, and the Star Model's strategic design process. A brief conclusion emphasizes the program's dynamic, adaptive nature. The structure follows a professional HR policy report format rather than a traditional argumentative essay.
Introduction
The development of an organizational awards program involves seeking support and commitment from the appointing authority and drawing on input from employees during program development. The organization's mission and values are incorporated to determine what accomplishments and behaviors will be rewarded, and a motivation survey is used to identify what incentives the organization's staff values most.
Identification of Rewards
Rewards should be given for "significant outstanding performance that advances unit goals and should be tied to a specific accomplishment" (University Department of Human Resources, n.d.). Rewards are reported as most effective "when they are meaningful to the individual" and should be designed to "reflect the unique nature of the unit's work culture and organizational structure" (University Department of Human Resources, n.d.).
Importantly, rewards should not be substituted for a competitive salary plan, nor should they replace adjustments to base salary, supplemental compensation, or variable pay programs (University Department of Human Resources, n.d.). They are intended to complement — not replicate — existing compensation structures.
WorldatWork Total Rewards Program
The WorldatWork Total Rewards Program includes seven core components, each described below.
(1) Compensation: Pay provided by an employer to an employee for services rendered — including time, effort, and skill. This encompasses both fixed and variable pay tied to levels of performance (WorldatWork, 2011).
(2) Benefits: Programs an employer uses to supplement the cash compensation employees receive. Health, income protection, savings, and retirement programs provide security for employees and their families (WorldatWork, 2011).
(3) Work-Life: A specific set of organizational practices, policies, and programs — plus a guiding philosophy — that actively supports employees' efforts to achieve success at both work and home (WorldatWork, 2011).
(4) Performance: The alignment of organizational, team, and individual efforts toward the achievement of business goals and organizational success. It includes establishing expectations, skill demonstration, assessment, feedback, and continuous improvement (WorldatWork, 2011).
(5) Recognition: Acknowledges or gives special attention to employee actions, efforts, behavior, or performance. It meets an intrinsic psychological need for appreciation and can support business strategy by reinforcing behaviors — such as extraordinary accomplishments — that contribute to organizational success. Whether formal or informal, recognition programs acknowledge employee contributions immediately after the fact, usually without predetermined performance goals. Awards may be cash or non-cash (e.g., verbal recognition, trophies, certificates, plaques, dinners, or event tickets) (WorldatWork, 2011).
(6) Development: A set of learning experiences designed to enhance employees' applied skills and competencies. Development engages employees to perform better and equips leaders to advance their organizations' people strategies (WorldatWork, 2011).
(7) Career Opportunities: Involve the plan for employees to advance their career goals, which may include advancement into positions of greater responsibility. The organization supports career opportunities internally so that talented employees are placed in roles where they can deliver their greatest value (WorldatWork, 2011).
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