25 ideas to reward employees at work
It’s no secret that recognition is one of the top three drivers of employee engagement but sometimes it’s hard to come up with ideas to reward employees, especially without blowing the budget.
So how do you recognise staff and thank them for a job well done without getting the accountant breathing down your neck?
In this article, I share 25 ideas to reward employees using ideas that won’t cost the earth in monetary value, but will leave a lasting impact with your employees.
And whilst there is no “one size fits all” approach, in my experience the more personalised the gesture where you have actually put some thought into it the better.
A couple of examples that I still remember:
- A manager who knew I was going on holiday, and had taken the time to find out where I was staying and organise a surprise gift for me on check-in (thanks Mark Crawford).
- My former EA and colleague who when I was interstate on a trip for my birthday, arranged for a surprise packet of salt and vinegar chips and my favourite block of chocolate to be there on my arrival (thanks Lauren and Kym).
- My very first call centre job when my manager arranged for the big boss to come down and congratulate me for winning our inaugural award (it was a big company with over 40,000 staff so it was pretty cool). Liz Burke you still rock.
The point is the idea to reward employees don’t have to cost a lot of money to make a big impression.
Get to know your team!
For the Team Leaders and managers reading this, I can’t emphasise enough the importance of getting to know your team members as it then enables you to understand what drives each member of your team.
No point in handing someone movie tickets when they hate the movies or paying to wash someone’s car when they don’t have one!
Above all else though, you need to be sincere in your actions.
25 ideas to reward employees that won’t blow the budget:
So without further delay, here are 25 ideas to reward your staff that won’t blow the budget and can leave a lasting impression.
1. A sincere word of thanks costs nothing and is very effective.
2. Post a thank you note on their screen/cubicle/door in their honour.
3. Throw a pizza party or cake party in their honour.
4. Create a simple “ABCD” card that is given when someone goes “Above The Call of Duty”.
5. Write about them in a company-wide email.
6. Give them a long lunch or an extra break.
7. Honour them at the start of the next staff meeting.
8. Post a “thank you” sign in the lobby area with their name on it.
9. Gift them flowers, a book, or another small gift.
10. Invite them to a one-on-one lunch.
11. Give them a card with a Tattslotto or scratchy tickets inside.
12. Give them a card with movie tickets inside.
13. Give them a card with a gift certificate enclosed.
14. Have the entire team sign a framed photo or certificate of appreciation.
15. Arrange for a boss several levels up to stop by to say thanks.
16. Send a thank you note or a gift basket to their partner.
17. Arrange to have their car washed.
18. Arrange to have their home cleaned.
19. Let them bring their pet to work for the day (within reason!).
20. Get one of the big bosses to acknowledge their performance in an email or in person.
21. Feature them in the company newsletter.
22. Pick an unusual or funny object and place it on their desk for a week.
23. Let them dress casually for a day (if that’s not already a thing).
24. Have the entire team honour them with a standing ovation at the start of the next staff meeting.
25. Offer to swap a task with them for a day or week
What’s the best reward you’ve received at work?
Share your thoughts in the comments!
Recommended links:
- Read: 6 Best-practice tips for motivating call centre employees
- Read: 18 Ideas for rewarding employees at work
- Read: 4 Team Building ideas for call centres
- Search: A list of all the upcoming industry training courses, conferences and site tours
- Learn: View our courses for contact centres, CX and customer service
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