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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.