It’s a fact that employee rewards are one of the most important tools you can use to encourage employees to work harder and increase productivity. They’re also a great way to reward your executives with a pat on the back for a job well done. There are so many ideas and opportunities to give employee rewards that it can be overwhelming. The key is planning ahead. Not only do you need to plan an effective rewards program, but you also need to take the time to think about how you can implement it.
Creativity, not price, is the key to designing a variety of employee rewards and incentive programs that everybody will enjoy. So let’s get started! Your first thought may be to simply offer branded gear, customized swag or even personalized gift cards. Of course, your first thinking may also be to use what you probably already have at hand your business is well-established brand! While these are certainly effective employee rewards, these can seem boring and impersonal.
An employee reward program with a little more personality is something like unique discount cards, free gym memberships, or even weekend getaways to scenic areas. Great way to show employees that their efforts and time are really appreciated. You can also give employees a reason to show their appreciation for a job well done by creating unique employee reward jewelry. This is another great way to vary your employee rewards programs, which can be a great idea if you want to add some variety and create greater employee appreciation.
A common mistake many companies make when it comes to employee rewards is not making them significant enough. Instead, they set up a variety of small-time awards that offer relatively no recognition for extraordinary effort and/or achievement. These types of rewards should be reserved for the truly exceptional, or for a truly stellar performance, but for those few times a year when things just don’t seem right, instead of celebrating and rewarding performance, it is more advisable to reward consistent hard work.
When choosing employee rewards, be sure to choose a reward that shows employees how much you appreciate their efforts and support, but also shows them that their achievements are truly noteworthy. For example, instead of a cash reward or coupon for a major purchase, why not provide them with a gift card to the local retailer? A great little mini-vacation would be a great way to celebrate an amazing accomplishment, complete with dinner and a hotel stay! Or even better yet, give them a gift card to one of their favorite local stores!
Another popular approach to employee recognition programs is to use milestone gifts. Employees are likely to appreciate these little tangible rewards that highlight their most recent accomplishments. For example, one of the most popular employee recognition programs is to give employees a small item as a token of appreciation for all their hard work over the past month. Many retailers will supply gift cards to local businesses for these kinds of employee milestone gifts. Other options include small consumer products like toiletry cases or desk accessories.
When it comes to actual employee recognition, most companies tend to go with something soft, such as a plaque or an award. It is my opinion that most managers and supervisors don’t really understand the concept behind these types of rewards. Because it doesn’t appear as a reward, many employees feel like they aren’t really being recognized. I do recommend plastering a small note that states “Thank You” on the surface of the reward, though. This will help show employees that their hard work is being recognized, without them realizing it!
These employee recognition programs can be a great way to reinforce and promote professionalism in the workplace, as well as motivate new talent. Be sure to thoroughly review your company’s policies regarding employee recognition programs before implementing any into your workplace. Although it can be a time-consuming process, it is usually well worth the effort when you consider the long-term benefits. I hope this information helps you understand some of the common alternatives you have when it comes to employee recognition.