Being recognized by company leadership and managers can be an effective way of enhancing employee motivation. It shows employees that the senior-level staff appreciates their efforts, which can be motivating and surprising for some employees who may feel like their efforts go unnoticed.
Here are employee recognition programs ideas for both individuals and teams that your organization can invest in to demonstrate gratitude.
Recognize Employees on Social Media
Modern employee recognition programs use social media to publicly thank employees who exhibit outstanding performance.
Consider whether your colleague is a social media fan, and then give them a shoutout on the company’s social media page. Also, encourage employees and colleagues to add positive comments to the post.
While this may help the colleague to feel recognized by the organization, it also acts as a bonus for the firm by putting a human face for both customers and social media followers.
Surprise Your Employees with Treats
Who wouldn’t love a homemade cookie? Take your time to offer your hardworking employees their favorite treat. Not only will this be extra meaningful, but it will also be appreciated because you made an extra effort.
Modern employee recognition programs also include providing lunch on a busy day. You can be creative so that you are not extravagant by ordering pizza or leaving snacks in the common area. This not only shows the employees that you are thinking about them but also that you appreciate their efforts.
Suppose you are not in a position to make the treats. In that case, you can use social media and choose from various organizations offering subscription services while allowing your employees to order their favorite meals.
Handwritten Note
Employee reward and recognition programs could focus on handwritten notes. If you appreciate an employee, write them a note or letter by hand, representing a thoughtful way of showing gratitude in a digital world.
Sticky notes can also be a creative way of showing your employees that you care about them. Leaving sticky notes on your colleague’s computer, keyboard, or coffee mug can be a pleasant surprise for them.
On the same note, sending a thank you note to your employees can be a simple gesture that goes a long way. Not only is receiving a card a memorable experience, but also a physical keepsake.
Be specific in what you thank your employees for, and note how you appreciate their work. Send the cards to employees’ home addresses or leave them on their office desks to make them feel appreciated and satisfied with the organization.
Offer Extended Breaks
Employee rewards and recognition programs should also involve rewarding employees with longer breaks to recognize their efforts. Consider something as simple as an extended lunch break for individuals or team members once in a while.
Surprise your employees with a surprise day off, depending on your company culture, which will serve as an appreciation for their hard work. Everyone will be excited about an unexpected day off to relax, treat themselves or even spend with their loved ones.
Wellness Day
Modern employee recognition programs should focus on employee wellness which acts as a way of employee recognition and bringing self-care activities to the workplace.
Consider holding a spa at the office if you can’t afford an outing. Simple wellness activities could include fitness classes, mindfulness lessons, or even on-site massages for your team members.
Wall of Fame
An employee wall of fame can be as simple as creating a space within your organization to display photos of employees who have performed exceptionally well. Nominate your employees if they don’t mind public attention so they can be reminded of how much the organization values them.
Modern employee recognition efforts should not leave behind virtually working teams. The wall of fame doesn’t have to be physical and can be simple as a page on your social media wall where you highlight your employees for their accomplishments.
Encourage the involvement of other team members by asking them to nominate their co-workers for their outstanding efforts toward organizational success.
Implement a Peer Recognition Program
Employees appreciate the recognition by the management as much as they appreciate kudos from their colleagues. Choose from various human capital management software available in the market that can help you increase employee motivation, productivity, retention, and engagement.
Organize Service Days
Rewards and recognition efforts should encourage employees to support a good cause. Use a variety of available team-building activities to give your employees a break from the office.
Let your team members participate in simple local activities like sorting donations, tutoring kids, or serving meals, among other charity shows that can show that your company cares more than just making money.
Provide Gift Cards
Providing discount programs to your employees can be taken positively as an employee appreciation initiative. Allow your employees to choose their preferred retailer so that they will enjoy their rewards.
Give Gifts with the Company Swag
Believe it or not, your employees will marvel at the idea of a company-branded mug, a hoodie, or even a notebook. Such gifts are even more meaningful in providing a sense of pride for the company an individual is working for.
Make sure to pay attention to quality. Order items that employees will like and find helpful.
Final Thoughts
Employee recognition is a flexible tool that any company can practice. You don’t need a thousand ideas to create a perfect employee reward and recognition program. You can consistently deploy just a few ideas to make your colleagues feel happy and appreciated.
Recognizing your employees involves finding thoughtful ways to show appreciation. The point is to connect with every one of the employees, making them feel appreciated, respected, and trusted by the organization while pushing them to work outside their comfort zones.
Excellent talent management initiatives are agile, and the organization should ensure the right human resource system is in place to meet the changing needs of the workforce quickly.