15 Creative ideas to rejig your employee appreciation game in 2023

Imagine this: Jonathan is a loyal employee who’s been working for company “X” for over a decade. He's always managed to deliver more than expected and has helped the organization grow substantially by boosting customer satisfaction and mentoring juniors. Despite his continuous efforts, Jonathan feels unappreciated and undervalued. Over the years, he’s received very few rewards and recognitions for his utmost dedication to the organization. 

Unfortunately, the above scenario is pretty common in many workplaces. A countless number of employees feel undervalued and underappreciated, which eventually leads to low morale, reduced productivity, and high turnover.

As an HR professional or leader, it’s your duty to make your employees feel appreciated for their invaluable contributions. Below, we have listed 12 employee appreciation ideas that’ll help boost employee engagement, retention, and satisfaction. So, let’s get started. 

Understanding the psychology of appreciation 

While we all know that appreciating anyone makes the one on the receiving end happy, there’s a deeper psychological factor at play.   

For instance, according to Psychology Today, gratefulness and appreciation impact the hypothalamus responsible for regulating the release of dopamine: the feel-good hormone. It simply means when you appreciate your employees, they feel good and are, thus, motivated to work.

In a report by Harvard Medical School, the university employees who received a message of gratitude during a survey showed a 50% better performance than those who did not. 

Now that you know how appreciation is psychologically linked to individuals being happy and motivated, let’s understand its impact on your business. 

Why employee appreciation matters for business success?   

1. Boosts morale: Small acts of employee appreciation can boost their morale and motivate them to have a positive attitude towards work. 
2. Increases engagement: Employee engagement is a direct consequence of appreciation. When you appreciate your employees, they feel valued and motivated to go above and beyond their job requirements. And this directly benefits your organization. 
3. Improves productivity: In addition to improving employee engagement, workplace appreciation is known to increase productivity among employees, according to Gallup. And higher productivity translates to more profits for your organization.
4. Reduces turnover: Appreciation makes your employees feel valued and satisfied with their job, increasing retention and reducing employee turnover. And this saves your organization quite a lot of money and time for rehiring.
5. Builds a positive culture: Appreciation directly impacts employees as it makes them feel recognized and valued among their colleagues. Also, it motivates other employees to work harder, which fosters a positive work culture that rewards good work. 
6. Promotes employee growth: Opting for methods such as training programs for appreciating employees can have a lasting impact on them. This gesture will show that you care for them and want them to grow. And needless to say, employees with better skills are invaluable assets for organizations. 

12 creative ideas to rejig your employee appreciation game 

1. Name a program/policy/award in an employee’s name

Naming a program/policy/award in an employee's name is an effective method of employee appreciation. It gives the employees a sense of achievement and shows their contributions are valued. For instance, at inFeedo, we named the daycare program after an employee’s daughter to mark a milestone year of their employment tenure.  

Unlike a formal 'thank you' or gift, this method has a lasting impact, which can keep the employees motivated for longer.

2. Send a promotion letter to the employee’s family

Imagine the sheer delight of surprising an employee by sending their promotion letter directly to the family! It's a unique twist that adds an extra dose of joy to the celebration. 

It's a gesture that recognizes not only the employee's hard work and dedication but also the love and support they have received from their family. A promotion that brings joy to the whole household!

Pro Tip: Remember that some employees may feel uneasy sharing their accomplishments with family due to personal reasons. It's important to be mindful of this when communicating with an employee's family, as sending promotion letters without their consent could potentially make the situation worse.

3. Send them a gift card to their favorite eatery 

Treat their taste buds! What better way to show appreciation than by surprising your team with a gift card to their favorite eatery? Let them indulge in a mouthwatering meal, savor their go-to dishes, and enjoy a well-deserved break. It's a delicious gesture that will leave them with full hearts and satisfied appetites. 

4. Show gratitude on a public forum 

Taking the time to show gratitude on a public platform can work wonders for employee morale and motivation. Whether it's a shout-out on social media, a heartfelt mention in a company newsletter, or even a public recognition event, these gestures go a long way in making employees feel valued and appreciated. Not only does it create a positive work environment, but it also inspires others to go the extra mile. So, don't hold back—let your employees shine and show them the appreciation they deserve!

5. Take employees for a company get-together 

We all like to take a break, right? You can do the same for your employees. Take them on off-sites every once in a while. The place can be a park, farmhouse, or a short trek nearby. The goal is to engage them in a recreational activity.

6. Buy them something from their wishlist 

If you know your employee has been wishing to purchase something but hasn't been able to, what better way to surprise them than by getting it for them? It'll make them happy and feel valued.

7. Give them personalized notes 

While generalized “Thank You” notes will also make employees happy, they’re no match for personalized “Thank You" notes. This shows that you put effort into appreciating your employees. You can opt for handwritten notes or emails that talk vividly about the employee's contributions.

8. Sponsor a training program/course of their choice 

Yet another effective method of employee appreciation is a subscription to a course or certification of their choice. This gesture will make them feel that the company truly cares about them and wants them to learn and grow. So, ask for their preferences and allow them to pursue a course or certification for free! 

9. Send them a team video message 

For exceptional employees, you need an exceptional employee appreciation idea. And a team video message is something you can try. Record a video wherein each teammate shows their gratitude, including the manager. Play it on the office projector or send the video to the employee, whatever works best. 

10. Give them the much-deserved salary hike and/or bonus

The sweet sound of salary hikes and bonuses! This one is the most obvious but nothing says appreciation quite like giving your hardworking employees a well-deserved financial boost. Whether it's an annual raise, a performance-based bonus, or even a surprise incentive, these monetary rewards can be a fantastic way to show your team just how much you value their dedication and stellar efforts. After all, who doesn't love a little extra cash in their pockets? 

11. Give them a surprise gift hamper

Sometimes, a surprise gift hamper with a couple of things the employee might find useful is all you need for employee appreciation. You can include things like a t-shirt, water bottle, coffee mug, instant coffee maker, and the list goes on. 

12. Fitness membership

When it comes to employee appreciation, showing that you genuinely care about your employees' well-being is key. One impactful way to do this is by investing in their good health. Encourage a healthy lifestyle by offering wellness programs, gym memberships, or even organizing fun fitness challenges. 

Show support for their mental health too, by providing resources for stress management or promoting work-life balance. When employees see that their health matters to you, it fosters a sense of appreciation and builds a positive workplace culture.

Happy employees = Happy customers 

One of the most amazing lessons for CEOs, HRBPs, and other leaders is understanding that happy employees equal happy customers. Don’t believe us? Let's look at the stats. 

According to a Gallop report, employees who’re happy and satisfied with their jobs, are more likely to boost customer relationships, resulting in a 20% rise in sales. Even a study conducted by Glassdoor concluded that there’s a strong statistical link between customer satisfaction and employee happiness.

In a nutshell, motivated employees enhance the ability of an organization to deliver greater customer satisfaction across all industries. And higher customer satisfaction translates to higher business growth. Fortunately, a great way to keep your employees happy and content is employee appreciation.