THE search is on for people in Worcestershire who show outstanding commitment and drive in small and medium-sized businesses, as Recognition Express launches the fourth annual Recognition Awards.

The awards offer employers and staff the chance to acknowledge colleagues' loyalty and effort.

This year, the focus is on employees who have gone that "extra mile" and the awards are open to any member of staff - whether it's the tea lady or managing director - in organisations with fewer than 200 employees.

It doesn't matter how long they have worked at the company and it's completely free to nominate someone.

Leading franchise organisation Recognition Express created the Recognition Awards in 2004 in response to a worrying trend towards high levels of absenteeism and low levels of motivation in many small businesses.

Nigel Toplis, managing director of Recognition Express, said: "More businesses are realising that a happy workforce is a successful workforce. Employee recog-nition is also a key factor in staff satisfaction and motivation, and can be more important than a pay rise. But many organisations do little to acknowledge individual employee achievement.

"What managers need to realise is that recognising staff doesn't have to be costly or time consuming and could be as simple as running an employee of the month scheme or giving staff an extra day off for a job well done.

"That's what the Recognition Awards are all about.

"In the short term they're an easy and simple way to make someone's day, and long-term they could boost your team's morale and also increase your productivity."

Nomination forms are available at www.recognition-express.com/ recognitionawards or by calling 01242 245789.