GiftCard Partners Blog

Every April we celebrate Administrative Professionals Day, a day to honor the work of the support staff on our team. The holiday has its origins in World War II when administrative professionals were scarce, and a celebration was required not only to honor those occupying positions, but to attract young talent to the profession.

Employee Appreciation Day is more than a calendar date — it can be the launchpad for a year-round culture of recognition that drives engagement, retention, and productivity. Observed on the first Friday in March, this day was established to remind leaders how vital appreciation is to organizational success. Yet many companies still underinvest in recognition and rewards outside of special events.

Employee engagement isn’t just a “nice to have” — it’s a business imperative. Yet recent workplace research shows engagement levels remain stubbornly low across industries. In fact, Gallup data shows just 31% of U.S. employees were classified as engaged in 2024, marking the lowest levels in a decade. Meanwhile, about 17% are actively disengaged, meaning they are emotionally detached from their work and more likely to leave or undermine team performance.

Employers are looking beyond the standard holiday bonus to create meaningful, memorable appreciation moments. With engagement still lagging nationally, thoughtful non-cash recognition can make a measurable difference in morale, loyalty, and performance.

The race to keep employees engaged has never been tougher, and organizations that rely only on cash bonuses are leaving real value on the table. Extra pay is appreciated, but it blends quickly into bills and everyday expenses. Non-cash rewards such as gift cards, experiences, and lifestyle perks stand out because they create emotional impact and memorable recognition. In a workforce where only 32% of employees report feeling engaged (5), recognition strategies built on experiences rather than transactions are essential for driving performance and loyalty.