10 Ways to Offer Employee Recognition

10 Ways to Offer Employee Recognition10 Ways to Offer Employee RecognitionAs various times of the year, managers look for ways to give employee recognition for a job well done - without breaking the bank. Cash bonuses are often the ultimate employee incentive, but theyre not the only way to make employees feel appreciated.You can keep yur team motivated and committed to the company by offering alternative forms of employee recognition. Feeling appreciated, after all, is the top factor driving happiness for people in accounting, according to new research by our company, ITS TIME WE ALL WORK HAPPY.GET THE REPORTHow can you turn a simple thanks into something more meaningful? Consider these 10 low-cost options to give employee recognition for a job well done1. A hand-written thank youWith electronic communication so prolific in our current office culture, taking the time to write a brief but sincere handwritten good job note can go a long way toward making an employee feel valued. Writ ten notes require extra time to craft and deliver, something sure to be recognized and appreciated by recipients.2. Emails ccing the teamAnotzu sich way to show that someones efforts went above and beyond what would normally be expected is to write an email and copy the entire team or other supervisors. This is a way to encourage employees to praise each other.3. Public pat on the backYou can use the written word for employee recognition in even more public ways, too, such as with a feature in the company newsletter or an article in a trade publication. Being singled out and praised in a public forum can motivate an employee to continue to achieve.4. Face-to-face timeEven if youve sent a note or email, visiting an employees desk and explaining how much you appreciate his or her work can be extra meaningful. Face time can be particularly valuable for direct reports, who will see youve carved out time specifically to acknowledge their work with warmth and gratitude.5. Gifts of appreci ationAlthough elaborate or expensive gifts may be out of the question, dont overlook small tokens, such as gift cards to the local coffee shop or a pair of movie tickets. Theres truth to the clich that its the thought that counts. Simply making your own effort to recognize your employees work is sure to be appreciated and boost morale, no matter the monetary value.6. Office celebrationsWhether its an office lunch, a gift exchange or simply a social hour, most employees appreciate the chance to relax and socialize with their co-workers on company time. At the cost of only a few hours out of the day and minor planning and budgeting on your part, you can provide a relaxing, team-oriented perk your employees will appreciate. Consider hosting a weekly or monthly thank-you lunch for employees, or incorporate good food into a workplace recognition meeting.7. Special employee perksLow-cost options for employee perks can include a special Employee of the Month parking spot, an office plaque, or company gear such as T-shirts or coffee mugs. Workspace decorations or flower bouquets are also appropriate tokens of appreciation.8. Additional time offOffering additional vacation time as a form of employee recognition is one of the most appreciated perks you can offer - if your company is in a lokalitt to do so. You dont have to provide full days off but could do this in a smaller way by giving employees an hour or half a day off. Breaks can increase productivity and help your staff maintain valuable work-life balance.9. CompensationWe promised low-cost ways to show appreciation, but salary boosts or performance bonuses can go a long way to show employee recognition. Think of it this way The scope of employees duties is outlined in their job descriptions and what they are paid to do. But what if team members go well beyond that scope? Then theyre performing extra services that benefit the organization. And compensation is recognition for that extra effort.10. Fairness to all While its true most top-performing employees continue to shine throughout their careers, be careful not to shower gifts and perks on only a few of your favorites. If the same employees are regularly singled out, that can breed resentment and jealousy among others. Spread the recognition as equitably as possible.Getting creative with forms of employee recognition can help your team feel more engaged and, as a result, less likely to look for a new job. Whether you introduce a formal employee recognition program or just use some of these retention tips for end-of-year acknowledgments, incorporating low-cost employee perks can create a win-win for everyone in your organization.Thank you is a short sentence, but it can have long-term value.