Case Study: Cisco achieves 85% employee participation and higher engagement with Workhuman's Connected Recognition

Connect People and Transform Culture

Cisco, a global networking leader with over 70,000 employees, wanted to modernize its employee rewards as part of the People Deal culture refresh. The existing spot-bonus system was manager-controlled and low-visibility, so Cisco sought a peer-to-peer recognition model that would amplify “moments that matter,” increase engagement, and better reflect its core values.

Working with Workhuman, Cisco launched Connected Recognition — a global, Cisco-branded program funded at 1% of payroll to encourage frequent, value-based peer awards. In year one 85% of employees gave or received awards, 48% of awards came from peers (not managers), and over five years more than 1.2 million awards were given; the program correlated strongly with higher engagement and even supported global charitable redemptions.

Cisco

Claire Gray

Senior Director of Global Compensation