Appreciation at Work™ Certified Workplace
A verified mark of excellence in workplace culture. It confirms your organization is one where employees feel genuinely valued, respected, and engaged.
Every Company Says They Have a Great Culture
Candidates have learned to discount it. So have employees.
What they can't discount is a measured result. The Certified Workplace program surveys your people anonymously, scores how appreciated they actually feel, shows you where the gaps are, and certifies you when you meet the standard.
The badge is the visible part. The measurement underneath it is what changes anything.
Turn Authentic Appreciation into a Competitive Advantage
Attract & Retain Top Talent
Displaying a verified badge proves to candidates and current employees that your company prioritizes psychological safety and genuine recognition, lowering costly turnover.
Boost Productivity & Engagement
Employees who feel authentically valued—not just given surface-level praise—are significantly more engaged, leading to higher output and lower burnout.
Differentiate Your Brand
Stand out in your industry with third-party validation that signals to clients, partners, and job seekers that your organization is built on a thriving, healthy culture.
Drive Measurable ROI
Cultivating a strong culture of appreciation directly impacts the bottom line by improving operational efficiency, reducing hiring costs, and driving long-term business growth.
Everything the Certification Covers
- Annual Employee Appreciation Survey To understand how valued and supported employees feel.
- Appreciation at Work™ Rating (AAWR) Score with benchmarks and insights into opportunities for growth.
- MBAI Basic Assessments For team members to better understand how they prefer to receive appreciation.
- Ongoing HR Leadership Coaching Focused on real workplace challenges, plus access to the training and resource library.
- Certified Workplace Badge And a marketing toolkit to showcase your achievement.
How to Earn Certification
Submit Your Culture Brief
Complete a short questionnaire about your workplace culture and talent practices.
Complete the Employee Survey
Eligible employees participate in the anonymous Appreciation at Work™ Workplace Survey.
Achieve Your Score
Organizations scoring 70% or higher on the AAWW Survey process earn certification.
Complete the Training Requirement
A team member completes the Train-the-Trainer curriculum, or your organization hosts a Certified AAW Trainer.
Receive Your Certification
Earn your digital Certified Workplace badge and marketing resources to share your achievement.
Teams that Made Appreciation a Habit
Common Questions About Purchasing
What does the Certified Workplace program measure?
The program focuses on the employee experience of appreciation, including areas such as trust, respect, belonging, encouragement, and feeling valued.
How does an organization qualify?
Eligible employees complete the Appreciation at Work™ Workplace Survey. Organizations that achieve a score of 70% or higher through the certification process qualify.
How long does certification last?
Certification is annual and requires a 12-month commitment.
What happens if we identify areas that need improvement?
Your results are designed to do more than provide a score. You receive insights and benchmarking that can help your organization understand strengths and identify areas for continued growth.
Can we promote our certification publicly?
Yes. Certified organizations receive a digital badge and marketing toolkit that can be used on your website, social media, recruiting materials, and other employer-branding channels.
The Best Teams Are Built on Appreciation
Build a culture where appreciation drives performance. Position your organization as an employer of choice. Join the organizations making work relationships work.