Creative Ways to Recognize and Appreciate Your Employees

There are many ways to recognize and appreciate your employees. Many of these tips don’t require financial commitment and are a great way to boost employee morale.

Employee recognition that is specific to an individual feels more meaningful. This could include donating to their favorite charity or giving them a personal shoutout on social media.

1. Create a wall of fame

A wall of fame (also known as a wall of appreciation) is a fun way to showcase top performers in your organization. When an employee is featured, they can see themselves being honored by the company and feel motivated to continue their good work.

During all-hands meetings, make it a point to praise high performers and give them a 30-second or 1-minute standing ovation from their coworkers. This type of public recognition works best when it’s tied to a specific accomplishment or business goal.

If you have a large workforce, an online platform like Sprynkl allows employees to recognize their peers on the spot by posting notes around photos. This can help drive employee morale and encourage teamwork.

Employees can tell when they’re being appreciated for the right reasons, and that’s why it’s important to take the time to show them your genuine gratitude. Gift cards and tchotchkes are great, but when employees feel valued for their contributions to the company, they’ll go the extra mile. Creating a culture of appreciation isn’t easy, but seeing your employees thrive at work is worth the effort.

2. Send a thank you card

Besides being more personal than an email, a handwritten note can leave a lasting impression on employees. It shows that the company values their hard work. Whether it’s about how their efforts helped achieve an important client project or how they went above and beyond for a customer, this is one of the best ways to show appreciation.

Another way to thank your team is to share their accomplishments on social media. This is a great way to publicly show your team members you’re thinking of them and encourage others to join in on the positive vibes.

A fun and unique way to thank your employees is by taking them on a field trip. This could be something as simple as going to a local park or bowling alley with the entire team. It’s a fun and rewarding experience that will help them bond outside the office. In addition, it will give them a break from the daily grind and let them relax for a while. This can boost morale and productivity.

3. Post a shoutout on social media

A great way to show appreciation for someone is to post a shout-out on their social media account. Not only does this let them know that you appreciate them, but it also lets their entire professional network see it.

Many of the best employee recognition ideas are low-cost or even free. A personal shout-out in front of a team meeting can be powerful, especially if the rest of the team gets a chance to applaud or add on. If your team is remote, this can be done in person or via video call.

In a similar vein, if you have a newsletter or other communication tool for your company, you can include shout-outs. This could be a running feature in the newsletter that highlights an employee or a specific achievement.

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4. Send a thank you email

A thank you email can be a great way to show your appreciation. It’s quick, personal, and can convey everything you need to, including room for improvement. However, the impact can be lessened if an employee’s supervisor doesn’t know what to look for.

It’s important to find a method of recognition that works best for your team. Some prefer public acknowledgment; others want one-on-one attention. Whatever you choose, make sure it aligns with your company culture.

For instance, if your employees are more informal and playful, using a quirky joke might not have the effect you’re looking for. A personalized note is a better choice in this case.

Another great idea is to offer a catered meal for the employees’ department or team. This is a simple but thoughtful way to say “thank you.” Plus, it’s a great time to bring everyone together. You can even use this opportunity to highlight an individual’s achievements by bringing them up in front of the entire group. This can boost their confidence, which will lead to stronger collaboration and more innovation.

5. Send them a gift

While it might seem obvious to recognize employees for birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays, it’s also important to celebrate the more unusual occasions that your staff members go above and beyond for. Whether that’s winning a project milestone, helping to raise a charity event, meeting a sales goal or even just surviving a difficult Wednesday (as they all know, it’s always five o’clock somewhere), you can make your staff feel like they are truly appreciated by celebrating these unique accomplishments with a group gift from your company.

For example, you could send them a curated gift box like those available at Snappy. You can also find beautiful leather gifts from companies like Leatherology that allow you to customize your gifts with a debossed monogram or logo. Or, if you are willing to invest a bit more in your recognition programs, you can host an experiential day trip that allows your staff to choose their own reward. You can also implement a peer recognition program where employees can give each other on-the-spot accolades and post them to a company-wide board for everyone to see.

6. Encourage them to work from home

Working from home is becoming more common, so ensuring your employees are comfortable and productive is important. Providing a well-equipped remote workspace that includes high-speed internet, a quiet room, and any other tools needed for their job can help them feel motivated and connected to the office.

Invest in your employees’ careers by offering career-based rewards. Whether it’s a free course on leadership or a spot in a management training program, these types of rewards can go a long way toward making your employees feel valued and loved.

Create a peer-to-peer recognition program where employees can nominate their peers for going the extra mile. Then, post these accolades publicly on your company’s community bulletin board or employee website. This will energize and motivate your employees to keep up the good work!

7. Create a curated gift box

Show your employees you’re thinking of them with a personalized gift that is unique to them. Workspace gifts are a useful way to let them know you notice their hard work and can be displayed on their desk or in their office as a reminder that they are valued.

Consider a curated gift box if you want to take your recognition game up a notch. These are a great option for celebrating specific milestones, such as an employee’s birthday or work anniversary. You can even pair them with a public recognition announcement through Caroo’s group ecard solution to create a more impactful, high-impact reward program.

Gift boxes can also be customized with your company’s branding, which makes them feel like they were created especially for that employee and their needs. For example, if an employee loves to drink coffee, include a branded mug in their gift box. Or, if they love movies, include a movie theater gift card with their basket to treat them to a fun at-home cinematic experience.

8. Send them a personal note

A simple handwritten note is one of the best ways to show your appreciation. It’s an old-fashioned but effective way to recognize your employees’ hard work and dedication. The tangible nature of the letter helps connect with them on an emotional level.

Whether you write the note at a company-wide meeting or email them, showing your employees that you value their contributions is important. According to New Bersin, companies with a strong recognition program have a 31% lower voluntary turnover rate than those without it.

The recognition strategies that work for your company depend on the culture and team dynamics. The key is finding what’s most meaningful to your team and making it a regular part of your company culture.

Some examples of these celebrations include hosting an Employee Appreciation Day, award ceremonies for major accomplishments, catered meals, and experiential rewards like skydiving or learning a new skill. You can also host a gratitude week and recognize an employee every day during that time. This can include small recognitions, such as a note from the leader or even a personalized video.