When it comes to rewarding your employees, it's important to reinforce that each member of your team is valuable. While you may not be able to have an employee appreciation celebration every day, there are some significant things you can do to show your employees that their hard work doesn't go unnoticed. In these unprecedented times, it is especially challenging to show appreciation to employees since many workers are attending meetings or working on professional projects remotely. Fortunately, you can boost company morale by giving a token of your appreciation to your team even if they're not working in the office right now.
Here are five effective ways to reward your employees.
Send a Handwritten Note
This is a small way to show your appreciation but it can have a huge impact on your team members. Instead of sending an email, buy some fancy blank thank-you cards and write a small note letting your employee know how you've noticed their professional improvement and how important they are to the team. Personalized appreciation can go a long way to let your workers know that they are an essential part of the team.
Host an Appreciation Dinner (and Give Out Awards)
Whether you decide to have your appreciation dinner virtually or in person, this event will help boost morale and give your team members a chance to socialize. You can present a crystal trophy to each employee based on their accomplishments. For instance, present a trophy to a team member for being the most helpful, or present a trophy to the employee who made the most sales for the financial quarter. You can also include appetizers, music, and ice-breaker games at the dinner to make the event more memorable and enjoyable.
Feature Them In the Company Newsletter or Blog
If your company has a blog or newsletter, reserve a space to feature a team member in each issue. You can boast about the employee's accomplishments over the last few months and congratulate them for their hard work. You may even want to include some personal details about the team member in the newsletter feature, such as their hometown, whether they are married or have children, and the hobbies they enjoy outside of work. This will help the other employees get to know their members which will make employees feel more comfortable in the workplace. This tactic can also boost morale because it makes each employee feel seen and sends the message that you truly care about the people who work to improve your business.
Send a Gift Card
Send your employees a gift card to the local coffee shop so they can grab a free cup on their way to work. Or, you can purchase gift cards that can be redeemed at online retailers so your employee can shop for the items they want at their convenience. There are also gift cards that are accepted anywhere major credit cards are accepted. These tokens of appreciation can let your workers know that you see how significant they are when it comes to achieving specific goals for the company, meeting deadlines, or working well with others.
Provide Ergonomic Furniture
Whether your employees are working from home or are spending at least some of the workday in the office, make sure they are as comfortable as possible with increase productivity. You can purchase a headrest for your employees' chairs so they can work with their heads and necks properly supported to prevent injury. Ergonomic floor mats can be beneficial for employees with circulation issues and seat warmers and massagers can make the workday more comfortable as well. These gifts are functional and creative and could serve as an effective way to make your employees' workday easier.
--These are just a few of the ways that you can show your employees that you recognize the benefits they bring to your organization. When team members feel appreciated, they are more likely to perform at a higher level, pay more attention to detail, and look for opportunities to advance in the company. Even small gestures of thanks can make a great impression on your workers and motivate them to continue providing quality service to your organization for years to come.