Our company doesn't recognize it. The one thing that I've always found a little "off" is that any gift cards of appreciation end up coming out of our paychecks. So, if you're counting on x dollars being in your account for your pay - you'll see it reduced by the taxable amount of the "gift" you received. I've never thought it good to end up penalized for recognition. The other things they do for employees are luncheons or dinners. The luncheons always occur on a day that I'm guaranteed to not be able to attend (due to the nature of my position) and there's no other recognition they provide. The dinners always start at 4 or 4:30 and I'm often required to work until 5:00 and then have to drive 30 minutes to get my daughter, to then drive 30 minutes back for an event that usually ends at 6 or 6:30 - so don't get to attend those, either. So - biggest thing for those in HR - make sure the "perks" and appreciations are items that can be used and have alternatives available for those who would enjoy the recognition but their life doesn't allow for that to occur.