Show Employees Appreciation with These Meaningful Rewards

They say that business isn’t personal but in essence, it really is. Everyone wants to be recognized for their efforts and achievements, and at the workplace is no different. Showing employees appreciation for the positive things they do, not only means they feel good about themselves it also means improved company metrics: higher productivity, better retention and more meaningful employee engagement. So, how do you go about the process of recognizing employees?

Create a Positive Company Culture

Fostering a positive company culture has proven to be a great way to increase employee retention, employee engagement, and company pride in their product or service. When employees are repeatedly recognized for their productive and positive actions, they are more likely to repeat them. This of course, leads to a better bottom line and enhanced employee (and customer) experience.

Increase frequency of opportunities for peer to peer communication and recognition. You can do this via digital cards that everyone can ‘sign,’ and regular celebrations that everyone can participate in, even remotely
Do the same for team and leadership roles as well
Social recognition at the time of an employee milestone or achievement should become regular practice

Award Ideas for Employees

When you improve or enhance the employee experience, everything in your business will run more smoothly. Employees will be more willing to go above and beyond expectations, and as the business owner, your continual positive feedback and encouragement will turn this into a constructive cycle.

Excellent Feedback Award. Without continual feedback from managers and regular staff members, it would be difficult to improve. Offering an award for excellent feedback will foster a sense of security and safety in speaking one’s mind and thinking outside the box. Consider a monetary gift such as a Gift Card, a certificate or a paid Friday afternoon off.
Upholding Our Values Award. A mission statement isn’t a real thing unless employees work toward incorporating it into their behaviors, actions and even attitude. Offer an Upholding our Values aware to someone who has integrated the company’s values into their everyday work life in a way that has inspired others.
Team Player Award. It’s hard to collaborate sometimes, especially when personalities are different and backgrounds are diverse. Honor the employee who has been the glue of the team, holding things together. To determine the receiver of this award, consider taking a vote, as other employees are likely to see things you don’t.

Reward Incentives for Lasting Employee Motivation

In addition to providing the opportunities for easy communication between peers and managers, it’s important to institute reward incentives that will keep employees motivated from week to week. They don’t call it “the grind” for nothing, so you want to attempt to smooth out the grind as much as you can. Funding for reward incentives may be seen as a reinvestment in the company.

A hand-written note or card. In the days of disposable texts and emails, something that is handwritten really stands out. There’s a permanence to it that will convey your appreciation on a level that words alone cannot.
Time off. If a specific quota, milestone or project has been successful completed, consider offering adding more hours to their available time off or creating a long ‘holiday’ weekend.
Small gifts. Everybody loves being showered with gifts. Consider giving a gift card, tickets to the local movie theater or even flowers.
Bring in a masseuse for the day. The workplace shouldn’t just be a place for stress and conflict; it should also be a place for enjoyment. Hire a masseuse for a day or part of a day to offer 15 minute chair massages to employees after the completion of a big project.
Food. Want a way to get employees a little more excited to come into work on a Monday morning? Make them breakfast: pancakes, bacon, orange juice, etc. or consider doing a Friday grill lunch. Yes, it takes time, effort and funds, but it’s a great way for employees to interact casually and helps create a positive company culture.
Employee spotlight. If you run a company newsletter or blog, alternately feature employees so others can get to know them better. Top employees should make the list first, but it’s also a great way to include those who might feel unheard or not part of the pack.

When you take the time to make the company culture a more positive one, the benefits and rewards are endless. Not only will you improve employee retention, you’ll know your ROI can be counted not just in dollars, but in improved quality of life, as well.