Whether it is a personalized gift or an award, showing recognition to your employees can do wonders for your business. According to Deloitte, companies that have an employee recognition program in place have about 30% lower turnover and are twelve times more likely to have strong business outcomes. In addition, nearly 80% of employees who quit their jobs cite a lack of recognition and appreciation as a major reason for doing so.
So, if you are looking for ways to increase employee productivity and boost morale, then giving gifts is the way to go. However, giving gifts is an art and it can be difficult to figure out where to start. Luckily, we have a few ideas to make the task easier for you.
1. Branded Swag
Branded swag is an excellent way to show your employees that you’re grateful for their contributions. You can choose from well-loved classics that everyone needs in their everyday life, ranging from sweatshirts and water bottles to phone cases and headphones. You can also get more creative and choose things like comic books or pool toys.
Either way, company-branded swag is a great way to celebrate your team, while at the same time bolstering team spirit and boosting brand awareness.
2. Coffee-Related Gifts
Organizations are fueled by their employees, but employees are fueled by coffee. Research has shown that nearly 65% of people in the US consume coffee on a daily basis, so chances are your employees will appreciate a coffee-related gift.
For example, you can research the best coffee mugs ideas or get them a gift card to their favorite local cafe. If you can afford to splurge, invest in an office espresso machine. While it might be a bit more expensive, this is a gesture that goes a long way.
3. Plants And Flowers
Research has shown that, besides aesthetic appeal, having plants in the office also has a calming effect. Office plants can relieve stress, extend attentional capacity, and boost productivity.
Flowers are another way to brighten your team’s day, and the gesture is even better when it’s unexpected. You can use online flower delivery services to easily get a fresh bouquet on your employees’ desks and show how much you appreciate them.
4. Books
If you decide to gift books, be sure to choose something your employees will be interested in or you know they will enjoy. For instance, health and wellness books are perfect for team members that are into healthy living, whereas employees who have kids might appreciate children’s books. You can also give motivational books or books on topics that are aligned with their job and might benefit them.
Just ensure that your team members actually enjoy reading; otherwise, they might feel burdened with even more work than they already have.
5. Educational Opportunities
Gifts focused on employee education are an excellent way to show appreciation. Today’s generation of workers puts education and development high on their list of the most-desired benefits an organization can offer.
Whether it is an offer to subsidize your employees’ tickets to a professional workshop or a subscription to an online learning platform, setting aside some money for each team member to further their education reaffirms your faith in your employees.
6. Extra Vacation Time
Did you know that the average US worker gets only 16 days of paid leave per year? If the business cycle permits, consider giving your team members extra paid time off that doesn’t count against their vacation time.
A survey by Glassdoor found that more than 35% of employees consider this to be one of the best perks from their employers.
7. Lunch And Snacks
Delivering lunch to the office can be a welcome departure from your employees’ dining routine but also a chance to build camaraderie. Ask your team members to choose their favorite lunch spot and treat them to a meal, but don’t forget to take note of any special dietary needs so that everyone is able to eat.
If your budget is tighter, opt for personalized packages of your employees’ favorite snacks. Whether they are all about healthy food or chocolate lovers, putting together a few of their favorite treats is a delicious and affordable recognition gift.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of the type of gift you choose, be sure to emphasize why you are giving the gift. Employee recognition gifts should be just one of the ways you let your team members know how much you value their hard work. Formal recognition programs, offering competitive benefits, and verbal praise are also great ways to communicate that you consider your employees the most valuable asset.
