We often end the year thinking about employee recognition, filled with employee gifting, awards programs and peer-driven recognition opportunities. However, it’s just as important to be thinking about employee recognition to start the year as it is in December. So, for 2024, start your new year off right with our top 10 employee recognition ideas. Discover creative ways to show appreciation, boost morale and foster a culture of recognition within your organization all year round.
10 Ideas for Employee Recognition
Surprise social or bonding time
This type of team recognition doesn’t need to be complicated. Bringing in lunch for the office or providing gift cards to accommodate virtual team lunches get employees socializing and bonding with each other during working hours.
A company-sponsored volunteer day
Giving back to communities is a great way to build company culture. Providing paid time off during work time to allow employees to volunteer recognizes employees as whole people and allows them to invest their time as they see fit.
Core-value based awards
Providing employee rewards based on company values helps not only reward desired behavior, but it also reinforces and recognizes those values among employees across the organization.
Peer recognition awards
When peers get the chance to recognize each other it’s more impactful than recognition from a boss or executive. Ensuring these recognition rewards are meaningful is important- ensure you have flexible reward options, like the Engage2Reward™ Choice Card available for those recognized to redeem.
Professional development opportunities
Employee recognition isn’t always going to be a reward to use outside of work. A meaningful employee recognition reward could include professional development opportunities to foster career growth and build loyalty to the organization in the process.
Executive exposure opportunities
Employee recognition can also come in the form of a group lunch with an executive, or an opportunity to meet with an executive they don’t usually have access to. This exposure rewards the employee with an opportunity to raise their profile within their organization and build relationships with company leadership.
Host a wellness day or week
Employee recognition is often about the whole employee. Hosting a wellness day or week is a great way to acknowledge and support the whole employee. This may include offering exercise classes, meditation or mindfulness opportunities or mental health resources throughout the day or week that the team can take advantage of. This type of recognition allows employees to bring their whole selves to work and in the long run makes them more productive and loyal to an organization.
Gamify recognition and rewards
When crafting your employee recognition and rewards program, gamification is a great way to get employees to participate and stay engaged with a program. This often motivates employees and keeps them engaged even after the program is no longer new or novel.
Company SWAG
Looking for an easy way to recognize employees? Company SWAG is always a hit. Whether it’s a reward for employees who are awarded for performance or behavior, or a way to provide recognition to all employees at once, SWAG is always appreciated and always resonates with employees.
Establish a mentoring program
Recognizing employees’ hard work isn’t always about material rewards. Establishing a mentoring program is a great way to recognize employees and foster career growth, while also allowing employees to bond together and establish lasting relationships.
This list is by no means exhaustive, but these 10 staff recognition ideas allow you to start the year off with creative ways to show appreciation, boost morale, and foster a culture of recognition within your organization.
When you’re looking to add variety and choice to your recognition program, we have the perfect solution: the Engage2Reward™ Choice Card. Your recipients can redeem online through our Engage2Reward Gift Card Ordering Platform from over 250 different retailers for any eGift card they truly desire. Plus, the platform offers fast and easy ordering along with comprehensive reporting and analytics. Take your employee recognition to new heights in 2024!
