GiftCard Partners Blog

The holidays are upon us and for many employers it’s a reminder of how many of our corporate holiday traditions have changed. Holiday parties, cash bonuses and corporate gift programs seem like a pre-pandemic memory, rather than something employees expect to hear about this year. 

Retaining talent is extremely important for the success of any organization. After a year of working remotely, employees may not be as engaged as they previously were, and the pandemic has completely changed the corporate landscape into an employees’ market. Employees no longer have to fight for positions or accept jobs they don’t love. They now have the flexibility to get a job anywhere in the United States; all they need to do is hop on a Zoom interview from the comfort of their couch, give notice, and they could decide to leave your organization in a matter of days or weeks. 

Administrative Professionals Day is a day that recognizes and celebrates the work of administrative professionals--executive assistants, personal assistants, receptionists, client services representatives, admin assistants, and other administrative support professionals--for their contributions to the workplace. The tradition of Administrative Professionals Day started in 1952 and it is common to show appreciation through cards, flowers, chocolates, and celebratory lunches. With many organizations working remotely, recognizing admins will have to be a bit more creative. 

Employee Appreciation Day is March 5th and is a great opportunity to show appreciation for employees. For those returning to the office in person, the risks they are taking during the pandemic need to be acknowledged and employers need to ensure employees feel safe in their workplace. For employees who are working from home, there are no more “office perks” that benefit or enhance the employee experience, so it is important for employers to find creative ways to show appreciation for their staff’s hard work and effort throughout the year. Making adjustments like moving certain office perks, like a fitness class to Zoom, can go a long way in strengthening the relationship between the employer and employee. 

As we approach the holiday season, the traditional office party is no longer the primary way to celebrate and thank employees. Many companies are opting for more flexible, digital solutions to recognize employee contributions, particularly in the era of remote work and distributed teams. With budgets often tightened and in-office camaraderie difficult to replicate, digital rewards—especially eGift cards—are emerging as the go-to solution for end-of-year employee appreciation.