10 Employee Award Nomination Examples & Writing Tips

Struggling to find the right words for an employee award nomination? You’re not alone. Crafting a thoughtful nomination that truly captures someone’s impact can feel daunting, especially when you want it to sound genuine, not generic. This guide shares 10 examples of employee award nominations you can use or adapt: 

1. Employee of the Month Nomination Example – Recognizes consistent performance, creativity, and teamwork. 
2. Team Player Award – Honors collaboration and peer support. 
3. Innovation Award – Celebrates creative problem-solving and process improvement. 
4. Customer Hero Award – Rewards exceptional customer service and empathy. 
5. Leadership Excellence Award – Recognizes strong leadership and team success. 
6. Rising Star Award – Highlights high-potential newcomers making quick impact. 
7. Core Values Champion – Applauds employees who embody company values daily. 
8. Service Excellence Award – Acknowledges quality, reliability, and dedication. 
9. Behind-the-Scenes Hero – Appreciates the unsung contributors driving operations. 
10. Employee of the Month Reasons for Nomination Examples – Rewards those who go above and beyond and lead by example. 

Platforms like Empuls by Xoxoday simplify the process by automating workflows, standardizing templates, and showcasing winners on the Wall of Fame—making recognition effortless, inclusive, and continuous. 

In this blog, we’ll walk you through real-world examples of employee award nominations, practical tips for writing them, and sample templates you can easily adapt. Whether it’s for an employee of the month, a team excellence award, or a service milestone, you’ll learn how to express appreciation meaningfully and memorably. 

What is an employee award nomination? 

An employee award nomination is a written acknowledgment that highlights why someone deserves recognition for their contribution at work. It’s more than just saying “great job”, it’s about showcasing specific achievements, values, and impact. 

Nominations can come from peers, managers, or even teams, and they help create a culture where everyone feels seen and valued. Whether it’s for innovation, teamwork, or consistency, a well-written nomination turns appreciation into something tangible and memorable. 

Why employee award nominations matter? 

Thoughtfully written employee award nominations go beyond recognition, they strengthen culture, inspire excellence, and create a lasting sense of belonging. When employees are nominated for their hard work, it communicates that their efforts truly matter. 

Here’s why they make a difference: 

• Boost motivation and morale: Nominations validate an employee’s contributions and inspire others to give their best. 
• Promote fairness and inclusivity: Open nominations for employee awards ensure every achievement, big or small, gets noticed. 
• Reinforce company values: A good employee nomination example ties individual success to organizational goals. 
• Encourage peer-to-peer recognition: When peers nominate one another, appreciation becomes part of everyday culture. 

How to write a great employee award nomination? 

Now that you know why employee award nominations matter, the next step is learning how to write one that stands out. A strong nomination tells a compelling story — one that highlights effort, results, and the qualities that make the nominee exceptional. 

Here’s a simple approach to follow: 

• Start with the why: Explain why the person deserves the nomination. What makes their contribution special or impactful? 
• Describe specific achievements: Use concrete examples — a completed project, solved challenge, or standout behavior that aligns with company values. 
• Show measurable impact: Mention outcomes like improved efficiency, happier customers, or stronger teamwork. 
• Add a personal touch: Include moments that show character — empathy, leadership, or going above and beyond. 
• End with a strong endorsement: Wrap up your sample write-up for employee award nomination with a confident statement of support. 

10 employee award nomination examples 

Need inspiration for your next nomination? Here are ten employee nomination examples you can adapt for different awards. Each example highlights key qualities, outcomes, and company values that make nominations memorable and meaningful. 

1. Employee of the month nomination example 

“I nominate Priya for consistently delivering outstanding results and motivating her team with positivity. She takes initiative, solves problems creatively, and goes the extra mile to ensure client satisfaction — a true role model for our company values.” 

2. Team player award nomination example 

“James is always the first to offer help, share knowledge, and support teammates under pressure. His collaboration and can-do attitude have made him an invaluable part of our success this quarter.” 

3. Innovation award nomination example 

“Aarav’s idea to automate internal reporting saved over 20 hours a week across departments. His creativity and analytical thinking have had a lasting impact on our efficiency.” 

4. Customer hero award nomination example 

“Despite a challenging situation, Emily handled every customer interaction with patience and empathy. Her ability to resolve issues quickly has earned glowing client feedback.” 

5. Leadership excellence nomination example 

“Under Sofia’s leadership, our product team achieved a 25% increase in feature delivery speed. She empowers her team, encourages experimentation, and recognizes every win, big or small.” 

6. Rising star nomination example 

“Rohit joined just six months ago but has already made a noticeable impact. His curiosity, initiative, and willingness to learn make him a standout performer and a promising future leader.” 

7. Core values champion nomination example 

“Noah lives our company’s core values daily — integrity, collaboration, and innovation. He uplifts others, takes ownership, and leads by example.” 

8. Service excellence nomination example 

“Aisha consistently delivers top-notch results and never compromises on quality. Her commitment to excellence sets a standard the whole team looks up to.” 

9. Behind-the-scenes hero nomination example 

“Liam works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly. His dedication, reliability, and attention to detail keep our operations seamless.” 

10. Employee of the month reasons for nomination examples 

Use these quick prompts to describe why someone deserves recognition: 

• Always goes above and beyond. 
• Demonstrates strong teamwork and leadership. 
• Consistently delivers high-quality work. 
• Brings innovative ideas to every project. 
• Embodies company values every day. 

You’ve now seen how a well-written employee nomination example can inspire genuine appreciation and celebrate impact. But writing and managing nominations consistently across teams can still be time-consuming — especially in large, distributed workplaces. 

That’s where technology steps in to simplify recognition. 

How Empuls by Xoxoday makes award nominations effortless 

With Xoxoday’s R&R solution, organizations can:

• Automate nomination workflows — Set up approval chains, reminders, and deadlines so no nomination slips through the cracks. 
• Standardize nomination templates — Create ready-to-use nomination examples for employee awards to guide managers and peers. 
• Ensure fairness and transparency — Use structured frameworks and AI nudges to make recognition equitable and bias-free. 
• Showcase winners on the Wall of Fame — Celebrate top performers and share their stories company-wide, inspiring others to follow suit. 

When recognition becomes easy and accessible, participation skyrockets — transforming good intentions into a continuous culture of appreciation. 

How an employee award nomination program works with Empuls 

Here’s how a typical employee award nomination program unfolds when powered by Empuls — from setup to celebration: 

Real-world impact: Max Life Insurance’s success with Empuls 

When Max Life Insurance digitized its employee recognition program using Empuls, participation and engagement rose dramatically. 

• Over 60,000 recognition moments shared in the first few months. 
• 80% increase in engagement trend. 
• 65% reduction in HR effort through automation. 

As Sumana Ananth, People Analytics Manager at Max Life, shared: 

“The success of our first Star of the Quarter cycle on Empuls was made possible by proactive system readiness and real-time support. Empuls truly elevated our employee recognition program.” 

This structured approach shows how even large organizations can run nomination-based programs that are timely, inclusive, and impactful — turning appreciation into a measurable business advantage. 

Conclusion 

Meaningful employee award nominations do more than spotlight great work — they shape a culture where appreciation becomes second nature. When every nomination tells a story of impact and values, recognition turns into a shared celebration of success. 

With the right approach — and the right tools — you can make recognition consistent, fair, and inspiring. Start small, write authentically, and let every nomination remind your people that their work truly matters. 

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