5 Employee Recognition Gifts That Will Make Your Staff Feel Appreciated

Kara Boatner
January 11, 2024

When it comes to employee recognition gifts, it is essential to give something that your staff will feel appreciated for.​ 

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to show your team members how valued they are and how much they mean to you.​ Employee recognition programs are crucial to cultivating a positive and efficient work environment; 92% of workers feel valued in companies with such programs, while only 70% feel valued in companies without one.

Here are 5 employee recognition gifts that will make your staff feel appreciated and help to ensure they feel valued and stay motivated.​

Special thank you gift

Showing your appreciation with a special thank you gift can be an excellent way to reward your staff for their hard work.​ A gift card, custom swag, or even a bouquet of flowers can be a great way to express your thanks and remind them how much their efforts are appreciated.​ 

Employee reward system

You could set up a reward system to recognise the performance and hard work of your staff.​ This could include cash rewards, vouchers or bonus payments for reaching specific targets.​ It is also beneficial for employees to have something to work towards and to feel like they’re achieving real recognition for their efforts.​ 

Flexible work environment

Allow your employees to have greater autonomy over their time and tasks by giving them the freedom to work when and how they want.​ This can also involve offering flexible working hours and arrangements that suit the individual and allowing employees to take part in a job rotation scheme.​ 

Show senior management support

When senior management support is shown and employees feel valued and appreciated, they will be more likely to be successful in their job.​ This can not only make your employees feel appreciated but can also create an environment of trust and open communication that enables them to excel.​ 

Empower and motivate your staff​ 

Encourage employees to participate in brainstorming sessions and decision-making and recognise their suggestions.​ This could involve highlighting their good work in meetings or in team newsletters.​ Also, be sure to set challenging tasks and objectives so your employees can work towards something and can really see their output being valued and appreciated.​

Additional staff appreciation initiatives

Professional development activities

​Regular feedback, training and development opportunities, team building projects, offering sabbaticals, employee entertainment nights and offering home-working are some of the tactics you could introduce.​ These are all highly effective methods of showing your appreciation that help to boost engagement and morale.​ 

Health & wellness

​This could include setting up a weekly yoga class, providing mental health days, or being mindful of the impact of work on personal life.​ Offering stress management panels or workshops and implementing wellness policies are all great ways to ensure your employees feel supported and appreciated for their efforts.​

The environment in which your staff work is also a major factor in how content and appreciated they feel.​ This can be improved by creating open spaces, adding plants, offering amenities such as free refreshments, and creating recreational zones.​ Additionally, employers should be aware of temperature, noise levels, lighting and air quality, as a comfortable working environment will go a long way in making employees feel both relaxed and valued.​ 

Shoutouts & recognition

Recognising achievements on a weekly or monthly basis is another means of showing your appreciation.​ You could set up an awards evening, or simply give out certificates and job performance assessments to your hardworking employees.​ This would ensure that every employee is celebrated for their contribution and that their efforts are recognised and appreciated.​ 

Employee discounts

A good way to boost morale is by introducing money-saving benefits.​ This could include offering discounted gym memberships, health cover, transport schemes or preferential rates for them and their families.​ This not only shows your appreciation for your team but also helps you to stand out from competitors when recruiting and retaining talent.​ 

Referral rewards

Finally, you could establish an incentivised referral scheme or reward employees with gifts for bringing in new business.​ Small gestures go a long way in making people feel appreciated and providing incentives to employees could be advantageous to both your staff as well as your business.​

Kara Boatner
January 11, 2024