7 Ideas for Showing Appreciation to Your Employees

Reducing employee turnover is an important aspect of any organization’s stability. Appreciating them is one of the best ways to ensure retention in your organization. It is an easy undertaking that does not have to cost anything, and it helps make your employees feel like valued members of a team.

Everyone wants to feel appreciated and valued, especially in the workplace. Proper staff recognition creates a more motivated workforce, increases production, helps retain top talent, and increases employee engagement. If you want to reward your employees for a job well done properly and don’t know where to start, here are some unique tips.

1. Have an Employee Appreciation Day

Although it may seem like a typical way to show appreciation, holding an employee event is one of the best ways to show your gratitude to the entire team. For example, you can hold a company party to celebrate the achievement of aggressive growth goals. You can recognize individual contributions during such events.

2. Reward Them Based on Their Interests

It is okay to say thank you, give them a bonus, award them a vacation or time off, but these are standard blanket kinds of rewards. They are great and effective too, but if you want someone to know how much you appreciate them, find out what they like and give it to them. It can be among their hobbies or work-related. Get them tickets to watch their favorite team or give them a pack of self-care items to help them unwind after a long day.

3. Feature Them on Your Website

Many companies only put the top-level staff on their websites and other places where the public will view them. This gesture is selfish since the other employees also play a major role in the company. Including them on your website goes a long way in showing that you appreciate them. It may not be possible to include everyone there, but you could consider putting some of them and allow them to write their bios.

4. Give Creative Rewards

Certain rewards such as time off, food, promotions, or bonuses are all great but usual. Try to be a little creative and think of developing different ideas that stand out from the normal. You could do something like allocating them a reserved parking spot or get a portrait of them painted. Honoring employees the same way you would the top management can greatly impact their self-esteem.

5. Recognize Non-Work Achievements

Some members of your staff are doing other incredible things out there besides working for you. They might be doing their community some good in for of volunteering or other personal things that are proactive. Recognize them in front of everyone else, which will greatly boost their morale. Everyone feels good when others praise them.

6. Don’t Miss the Anniversaries

Many employees, especially younger generations, usually leave employment after a year. This turnover is because they tend to move around in their careers, seeking greener pastures. For this reason, do not let the anniversary of an employee go unnoticed. Recognize their loyalty and reward them for staying. The other employees will not only see that you appreciate it, but they will support it too.

7. Give Them Career-Based Rewards

Employees appreciate career-based rewards, and your company will benefit from them too. You can let them choose an online class they wish to take or send them to leadership training. Although it might not be related to their current position, it will show them that you are investing in them.

Brett Sartorial
 

Brett is a business journalist with a focus on corporate strategy and leadership. With over 15 years of experience covering the corporate world, Brett has a reputation for being a knowledgeable, analytical and insightful journalist. He has a deep understanding of the business strategies and leadership principles that drive the world's most successful companies, and is able to explain them in a clear and compelling way. Throughout his career, Brett has interviewed some of the most influential business leaders and has covered major business events such as the World Economic Forum and the Davos. He is also a regular contributor to leading business publications and has won several awards for his work.