Offering employee recognition gifts that demonstrate a high level of personalization is a great way to show your team members you care. Gifts like music subscriptions or even delivery meal gift cards help you achieve this.
Employee gift cards are a tried-and-true option for employee rewards because they scale easily and can be used to buy a variety of things. They’re also easy for remote workers to use since many offer digital options.
1. Reward Employees for a Job Well Done
It’s important to recognize employees who deliver great work. Employees who are excited about their jobs are more productive and efficient at accomplishing tasks. This is why having a variety of employee recognition programs that celebrate different types of achievements is critical.
For example, if an employee delivers a significant savings for the company, pays off a debt or brings in extra revenue, consider awarding them with a cash bonus. This is a high-impact, immediate reward that reflects well on the organization.
Another way to boost morale is by giving an employee a day off from work. This allows them to run errands, spend time with their family and friends or simply relax and recharge. You can also give an employee a prime parking spot or other perk to show that you value their efforts and hard work. Many analytical employees enjoy hearing kudos from their peers and appreciate being recognized in front of their colleagues.
2. Recognize Teamwork
Employees need to feel like their work matters, and recognizing their efforts helps them do just that. But, it’s important to keep in mind that too many blanket kudos can come off as inauthentic and formulaic.
A personalized gift card is one way to make a team member feel valued, especially when it’s for something they enjoy. Consider rewarding a team for their performance on an upcoming project or even their commitment to a charitable cause.
Another great idea is to create a wall of fame, either physical or virtual, where employees can be highlighted for their accomplishments. You can also set up a peer-to-peer recognition channel in your instant messaging program, such as Slack or Teams, so employees can give informal shoutouts to colleagues for their hard work. Peer-to-peer feedback is often more meaningful because colleagues share the same work experience and understand the unique challenges that come with a particular assignment. This type of recognition can boost morale and help a company’s culture thrive.
3. Create a Memorable Experience
Employee appreciation gift ideas that involve a high level of personalization are proven to increase engagement. This type of recognition is particularly important for remote employees who often feel disconnected from their workplace community.
Closed-loop gift cards enable a personalized experience that creates a lasting impression on your team. Whether they are using their reward to purchase a new outfit or treat themselves to a fun activity, the experience is more memorable than simply receiving cash.
For example, if your employee’s children are home from school on a rainy Saturday, they can use their gift card to take the kids to a movie and have some family time. This is a great way to show your team that you care about their personal and professional goals. In addition, it can help boost morale and improve company performance.
4. Encourage Employee Engagement
Providing a first-rate employee recognition program means making sure the experience is scalable. While a company may have a budget for one-time events or rewards, the impact can be minimized when those programs aren’t backed by scalability options that can grow alongside the organization and deliver a high level of personalization.
Encourage ongoing communication with employees through performance conversations, informal one-on-ones, and employee surveys. Provide a platform for employees to share feedback anonymously when desired, and make sure leaders are open to discussing issues with their teams.
A good culture is built on trust, and a trustworthy workplace allows for people to experiment and take risks without fear of dire consequences if their experiments don’t work out. This type of culture also enables employees to feel valued for their contribution, which ultimately boosts engagement and helps drive productivity.
