By: Jonathan Bennett

Employee recognition awards are a great way to encourage workers to try their best and to go above and beyond to receive certain perks. The Journal News reports the town of Fairfield, Connecticut, is taking steps to improve its town-wide employee recognition program in an attempt to showcase workers who perform at the highest level.

The news outlet reports that since 2000, the city has had a program called STAR awards, standing for Service, Teamwork, Above and Beyond. However, officials believe the program is outdated and recently created a new initiative called Fairfield Works, to give both employees and the public more chances to nominate "outstanding city employees."

Art Pizzano, the city manager, hopes the new program will allow workers who fly under the radar to get the recognition and praise they deserve.

"This program is really going to be celebrating the good things people do, whether they're above and beyond the call of duty or in the line of duty," Pizzano told the publication. "The Star Awards tended to recognize workers such as police officers and firefighters who have visible, high-profile jobs. As assistant city manager Mark Wendling put it in his presentation, 'Some employees are quiet stars' .., Fairfield works provides an opportunity for recognition to those employees whose work lacks 'glamour' but is no less essential to the functioning of the city."

Businesses can implement similar recognition awards to encourage both comradery and people to do their job to the best of their ability.