Do you tell your employee you appreciate them? A study published in the Harvard Business Review found that managers who are rated in the top 10% for giving recognition are much more likely to have employees who report feeling engaged and willing to put in higher levels of discretionary effort. Hence, we thought of doing a deep dive into what employee recognition programs are, how can HRs make their employees feel appreciated and how it helps businesses to grow.
Employee appreciation recognizes the hard work and achievements of the people and groups inside your association. It is truly about making an enthusiastic association with your representatives and your organization, all while supporting the work your workers do and remaining genuine to your organization's qualities. The best acknowledgement makes representatives feel esteemed, regarded, and surprisingly cherished. The worker acknowledgement models and representative appreciation thoughts underneath come from genuine organizations that know some things about causing their workers to feel loved.
Here are some ways you can make your employees feel appreciated for their efforts.
Employee Appreciation Day is celebrated every year on the first Friday of March, an excellent opportunity for organizations to recognize the hard work, dedication, and achievements of their teams.Tailor the celebration to your company culture and employee preferences. Start by dropping an anonymous feedback form or idea box a few weeks in advance to gather inputs on what your employees value most be it wellness activities, fun team-building games, some challenges.
In 2019, Walmart launched its first-ever Associate Week and Shareholders Celebration, combining recognition, entertainment, and employee engagement on a large scale.
In a world where most communication has shifted to Slack messages, Zoom calls, and emails, a handwritten thank-you note can feel refreshingly personal and powerful.
A basic employee appreciation thought is to write a card to say thanks to a representative whom you believe is accomplishing the remarkable work and mail it to their home. If that wasn't already enough, include a small, thoughtful gift like a voucher to their favourite local café, bookstore, or food delivery platform.
These days, employee burnout is more common than ever, especially with the line between work and personal life becoming less clear. A thoughtful way to appreciate your employees is by sending at-home spa care vouchers or curated self-care hampers. It sends a clear message that your company prioritizes employee wellness, not just productivity. Self-care gifts help employees unplug, recharge, and return more motivated.
A thoughtful employee appreciation idea is to invest in their personal and professional development through online courses. Learning platforms like Udemy, Internshala, and Coursera offer flexible options to upskill, all from the comfort of home. Not only does this encourage continuous learning, but it also shows your team that you’re invested in their long-term growth, not just their KPIs. Pair course access with an internal learning goal tracker or recognition program for course completion to boost motivation.
Public recognition goes a long way in showing appreciation. Take to your company’s LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter to spotlight high-performing employees and celebrate their contributions. A well crafted shoutout not only boosts morale but also strengthens your employer brand by showcasing your company culture and values.
Not every person needs a spot in the public spotlight. Certain individuals’ favour being applauded away from plain view!
Read: Employees who feel recognised at work are 2.6+ more likely to think promotions are fair.
One approach to show appreciation for employees is to make a virtual worker health program. Employee health programs exhibit that you are putting resources into your employees' wellbeing and prosperity. Whether it's encouraging for taking Stepathon Challenge, bedtime meditation, or digital detox challenges, Mental Wellness Programs, small wellness habits go a long way. The goal isn’t to go big, it’s to make well-being achievable and rewarding.You can Gamify progress with point-based challenges, Offer flexible, meaningful rewards like Half-day leaves, E-gift cards and Branded wellness kits.
Want to build a customized wellness program that your employees will actually enjoy? Talk to Pazcare and let’s help you design a virtual experience that promotes real well-being.
One of the most effective employee appreciation ideas is using digital recognition platforms to send custom, personalized messages of appreciation to employees who consistently deliver high-quality work and embody your company values.
Make it meaningful:
If your culture leans more private, set the appreciation as “visible to manager only” or “team only.”
One fun and effortless way to show appreciation is by organizing virtual happy hours or game nights. These casual, no-agenda sessions give employees a chance to unwind, share a few laughs, and connect with teammates on a personal level and even play web-based Fungames together. Not everyone drinks or games so keep it casual and voluntary. Include non-competitive games, casual breakout room chats, or group Spotify playlist creation as options.
One thoughtful way to appreciate employees is by giving them a night off from cooking. Send them Swiggy/Zomato coupons or gift cards for their favourite local restaurants. It’s a simple gesture that delivers delight both literally and emotionally. You can Offer credits through food delivery apps on key milestones (work anniversaries, Employee Appreciation Day, hitting a team goal, etc.) and Tie the vouchers to themed days like “No-Cook Thursdays” or “Friday Fuel-Ups.”
One impactful way to show appreciation is by surprising your team with an occasional "Netflix and Staycation" Friday, a bonus long weekend that gives employees time to truly unplug. This small gesture goes a long way in boosting morale, especially for those juggling work, caregiving, and household responsibilities. According to a 2024 report by SHRM, flexible downtime has been directly linked to improved employee well-being and retention in remote-first companies. Plan these surprise Fridays around slower business periods or before/after public holidays to maximize the benefit without disrupting workflows. You could even brand it as a “Wellness Long Weekend”, giving it a special identity within your company culture.
A powerful way to show appreciation is by offering ergonomic work-from-home equipment to your distributed teams. Employees often report chronic back pain, poor posture, or wrist strain due to make shift home setups. Over time, this not only affects productivity but can also lead to long-term health issues. Proactively addressing these challenges shows your commitment to both employee well-being and sustainable performance.
Offering this early in the employee journey ideally during onboarding, sends a strong message that their health and comfort matter to the company.
A mass of distinction is a brilliant method to feature the achievements of the two people and groups, and it's an exceptional method to put your way of life in plain view so anyone might see for themselves. Snap photographs of your employees' achievements or make genuine efforts of them working diligently.You can likewise use the divider to feature group wins with photographs of the group and any significant undertakings they've finished together.
One approach to praise employees on their birthday celebrations is permitting them to use the three-day weekend and appreciate it however they see fit. In case this isn't at present a strategy that works for your organization, there's as yet an opportunity to celebrate. You can make the birthday celebration more personal by decorating their workspace with a theme they love, whether it’s their favorite TV show, sports team, or hometown. You could also surprise them with their favorite treat.
And don’t forget the birthday card! Have all their colleagues write down why they appreciate the person you’re celebrating. These personal touches mean a lot and can go a long way in making an employee feel valued and recognized.
For remote employees, you can record a group video with everyone sending their best wishes, mail a cake and a thoughtful gift to their home.
Nicknames support the fellowship in the work environment, and they can be incredible, bringing a lot of fun and humor to the team. When chosen thoughtfully, they can also serve as a subtle but lasting way to recognize and appreciate employees.
Skill-based or talent-inspired nicknames make employees feel valued and acknowledged. Even better, these nicknames can motivate them to live up to and even exceed the positive reputation they’ve been given.
Take five minutes to write a glowing recommendation. It’s public, permanent, and professional and it really matters. This small act goes a long way in showing that you believe in your employee's long-term success. Anybody seeing their profile can peruse these suggestions, and they are significantly coming from the executives.
These appreciation thoughts are only a couple of ways you can begin. There are so many approaches to see the value in your staff, so utilize these thoughts as a beginning stage for incorporating prizes and acknowledgement into your everyday work schedule. Recall that worker appreciation begins with you, and the main thing to remember during these unusual occasions is that representatives depend on you to keep your resolve up and spirits high. Try not to let them down.
As Michael Scott once said, “Granted, maybe this was not the best idea, but at least we care enough about our employees that we are willing to fight for them.”
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