Creative Ways to Thank Employees

Employee appreciation is an important factor in organizational success. Without employees, organizations are unable to run. It is extremely important that employees know how much they are appreciated. Although verbally thanking them for their efforts may show you care, it may not be enough to keep them engaged. If you really want to show your employees gratitude, here are some creative ways to do so.

Money is considered one of the top motivating factors for employee success. Thanking employees through monetary rewards such as bonuses, gift certificates, and salary increases is a common way to show employee appreciation. Be creative with monetary gifts by rewarding employees with gift cards for gas, groceries and retail stores, or gift certificates for all-expenses-paid vacations.

Not all companies have the budget to offer monetary rewards, but showing employee appreciation does not have to cost a lot of money. There are many low-cost ways to show employee appreciation. Some low-cost ways to thank employees include buying lunch, letting them dress casual for a day, holding recognition ceremonies and providing trophies or awards.

Providing lunch to employees does not have to break the bank. An inexpensive route to take is to order pizza, subs, or sandwiches. Buying the office breakfast, like doughnuts or bagels, is also inexpensive and a great way to jump start the day. A creative way to show employee appreciation is to implement a free food day, whether it is once a week or once a month. In addition, companies can incorporate a wellness program by providing nutritious foods and promoting healthy eating.

Another inexpensive way to show employee appreciation is to have a dress down day. Allowing employees to wear jeans for a day helps them feel comfortable in their work environment and increases morale. Get creative by allowing employees to support their favorite sports teams on game days by wearing team gear and jeans.

Showing appreciation by throwing an office party or holding a recognition ceremony shows employees how much they are valued by their employers. Distribute awards and trophies so employees are able to display their achievements and build a sense of pride. Think of creative ways to demonstrate employee appreciation. This should be a priority, as thanking employees is considered proper office etiquette. Employees are generally more satisfied with work when they feel appreciated, so they will be more productive.

These are a few creative ideas that companies can use to demonstrate employee appreciation, improve job satisfaction, and increase retention. Choose the best method of gratitude for your budget to show your employees how valuable they are. When employees know they are appreciated for their hard work and efforts, they are more likely to commit to organizational goals and be successful.

(Photo courtesy of Stuart Miles / freedigitalphotos.net)