You understand the importance of keeping your staff happy. No one likes turnover and your company culture is that of a family.

Giving pay raises goes a long way but showing true appreciation for your employees is also important. You understand this and you’re looking for employee appreciation ideas.

Continue reading this article for 10 of the top ideas for showing appreciation for your staff.

Must-Try Employee Appreciation Ideas

You’re not a professional in this area so it is understandable that you’re drawing a blank and need to find out more information. You want to make sure this turns out well so everyone involved understands the sentiments are genuine.

1. Verbal Public Recognition

Giving someone recognition in public is a great way to get their attention and show that you’re appreciative. If you’re going to announce this publicly at a meeting in front of people, you should make sure to thank the person in advance.

If you only thank the person in front of people, it can feel less genuine. When people already know you appreciate them and then you mention it at the big meeting — that means a lot more.

2. Employee of the Month Program

Having a program in place so people know there is going to be a monthly appreciation ceremony is a good way to get employees to work harder. There are many times when the things they do at home might not be recognized but you want to make sure you’re recognizing them at work.

When you do an employee of the month program, let the other employees nominate someone to win the award. Since you’re doing it this way, it’s not like you’re picking favorites.

3. Flowers

People still love to get flowers. Whether you want to have them sent to the office or you want to send them to the person at their home, flowers are a great way to say you are grateful for their contribution to the team.

4. Plaques or Crystal Awards

Is there a more serious award you need to give? Maybe the person you want to give an award to has been with your company for 10 years or more. You want them to have something that they can put on their mantel or on a shelf in their den.

A crystal or plaque award is a great way to show how serious you are. These awards don’t wilt or fade and every time that person looks at them, they will be reminded that you are glad to have them at your company.

5. Bonus Allowance for Office Upgrades

Who doesn’t love a little upgrade? Show appreciation to your employees by giving them a bonus allowance to upgrade their office area.

Maybe they want to get a fancy new chair with a massager in the back. Or maybe they want to get a standing desk that makes it easier for them to get through the day without being in pain from sitting still too long.

6. Gift Card to a Local Coffee Shop

The world runs on coffee and lots of it so give your employees what you already know they’re buying — coffee. Giving a gift card to a local coffee shop is sure to make your employees smile.

7. Take Employees out for Lunch

When you’ve brought on a new employee, treat them to lunch. Get to know them and show them you’re glad that they are on the team.

If your company has the budget for it, do lunch in the office periodically. This perk is sure to turn heads and satisfy tummies.

8. Put Board Games in the Break Room

Feeling like things are a little too uptight? No worries — try some board games. Instead of being on their phones throughout the break, employees are more likely to engage with each other and have a little fun.

Put board games that bring up fond memories for most people. You may even want to schedule a gameplay session and see who in the company is the best of the best.

9. Company Potluck

Food brings people together — it just does. People that love to cook also love to show it off.

Invite everyone to bring their favorite dishes to the company potluck. Ask everyone to bring their recipes and share with the coworkers so they can also make the delicious goodies.

If you want to structure the event, you could also have periodic giveaways to make things even more fun.

10. Thank You Notes for a Job Well Done

The days of the well thought out thank you note is almost behind us. If we get so much as an email saying “Thanks!” it’s almost a surprise.

Why not shock your employees by sitting down at your desk and handwriting thank you notes for what they’ve contributed to the company?

If you know your employees well, you can even put in little personal points in the note to make it even more special. You’d be surprised how long they hold onto the thank you note. You may even make it on the fridge with the kid’s drawings.

Continue to Grow Your Business

If you’re ready to take your business to the next level, there is a lot to learn. You can learn more through our blog now that you’ve gone through this article and gotten employee appreciation ideas.

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