[henry_bone]

The OP was talking about genuine, honest communication. I think these rituals in work teams have the correct idea. Their hearts are in the right place, so to speak, but it doesn't really work perfectly. As you've said some can feel left out. Others might just feel uncomfortable.

The idea is good: share the love, highlight good work. But it probably better just to let people know more naturally.

[ImaCake]

Absolutely. My current workplace is very good at the organic thankyou. I try my best to show gratitude where I can.

[cutemonster]

What could have caused you and the other one to not get any votes, at the previous workplace? I'm guessing it was not work performance or anything like that

(The votes were publicly announced -- and also who had voted?)

[ImaCake]

Me and the other worker were much less willing to work free overtime. The company also had a really dishonest culture and I chafed under that system. I was a bad fit for the job really, so I could have just been what they perceived as bad.

[Natanael_L]

It can be something simple like having work with more visible impact

[mangamadaiyan]

_Perceived_ impact, if I might add?