40 Employee Appreciation Ideas to Inspire Your Thinking and Staff
Are you looking for innovative employee appreciation ideas? Look no further. I’ve created a complete list of 40 ideas to help you show your employees appreciation and recognition.
Did you know that a recent TinyPulse study asked some employees what their leaders could do to improve employee engagement?
The result was surprising: 58% of interviewees responded “more recognition.” For this reason, showing your staff appreciation and recognition are powerful weapons to combat employee turnover. In short, more engagement means higher retention rates, which will help you reduce the cost of disengaged employees.
With this in mind, let’s look at 40 staff appreciation ideas.
Employee Appreciation Ideas 2025
Here are the best and free employee appreciation ideas that you can implement:
1. Recognize Employees’ Effort Individually
Recognizing your employees’ efforts might not seem like a big deal. However, according to a TinyPulse study, saying thanks to employees can positively impact their perception of leadership.
The study found that 50% of employees believe that managers saying thanks to employees increases trust in organizational leadership.
For this reason, the first thing you need to do to show your employees your appreciation is give positive feedback. You can talk to an employee privately and express your gratitude for a specific achievement or the person’s overall performance.
2. Include Employees on Your Website
You can ask your web developers to create a special section where you can include your staff. Then, you can ask your employees to send you a short biography to post on the site. This way, employees will feel they are part of a team that represents the company externally and that you recognize them as such.
According to a Hays study, 50% of interviewees sought a new job. The cause? Bad corporate culture.
For this reason, including your employees on the company’s website is a simple but necessary action. Recognizing your staff as a team fosters good relationships and promotes a healthy corporate culture.
3. Take Your Staff out of the Office for Recreational Purposes
Who doesn’t enjoy a nice relaxing day with friends? A special day at work doesn’t have to be different. You can plan with the department in charge and take your staff out for team lunch or dinner. Above all, the idea is to have fun.
This event can take place monthly or every two or three months. You can even let your employees suggest different ideas and places to visit.
Healthier employees, physically or mentally, mean lower absenteeism rates and medical leaves.
4. Provide Professional Training
Provide your employees with professional training to show them you care about their career development. You can organize meetings, seminars, courses, and conferences for your employees to attend.
Providing training is a way of recognizing your staff as a valuable and growing workforce. Otherwise, employees will feel stuck and will soon consider moving on. According to Shift eLearning, 74% of employees surveyed said they weren’t reaching their full potential due to a lack of training.
5. Give Rewards Based on Achievements
Don’t take employees’ achievements and efforts for granted. Always recognize their willingness to improve every day.
A way to show appreciation and recognition is to reward employees according to their achievements. These rewards can range from bonuses at the end of the month to benefits such as free parking, lunch, or a day off. In short, give them proper compensation for exceeding expectations.
6. Provide Staff Gym Memberships
Working in an office from 9 to 5 can be quite stressful. According to the BBC, not exercising at all entails considerable risks to your employees’ physical health.
Therefore, offering your staff discounts or even sponsored gym memberships is the way to go. That’s why you should create a gym membership program for employees to join. It can have a huge lift when creating a positive company culture.
7. Have a Billboard With Birthdays
Want a better way to show your employees that you care about them? You can have a billboard where people in the office can see everyone’s birthdays.
If you want to make employees feel appreciated and better, you can cut a cake for them. If the budget is limited, you can have an end-of-month cake for all the birthdays in the month.
Don’t forget to check the billboard every week, though.
8. Have a Staff Recognition Day
If you don’t have an employee appreciation day already, propose one. Let your employees know they deserve to have their special day.
You can prepare a music playlist and snacks to relax the work environment. Also, employees should be allowed to break the dress code that day. In addition, you can propose group games during breaks to have fun.
9. Have Department Representatives
According to a Udemy study, 50% of employees quit because they had a bad manager.
Many times, employees can’t get their managers to listen to their requests or suggestions. For this reason, it is important to improve communication channels.
You can have employees select a department representative. A department representative is a person who streamlines employees’ suggestions to the manager. This will ensure proper communication between you and your staff.
10. Recognize Employees Publicly
Public recognition is one idea of employee appreciation. It means informing everyone in the office about a particular employee’s achievement, whether they are onsite or remote employees.
You can take a meeting, conference, announcement, or other public moment as the perfect opportunity. This way, the employee will feel valued and recognized.
If you want to learn more about employee appreciation ideas, check out our HR Certification Courses.
11. Have a Suggestion Box
Even though they are old-fashioned, suggestion boxes were popular for a reason. Having a suggestion box can improve communication between managers and employees.
You can place a suggestion box in every department. Later, you can revise suggestions with more ease.
Just as important, take the viable suggestions and make them public. This way, employees will see that you take the suggestion box seriously. Otherwise, they will soon stop putting suggestions in it, seeing it as a waste of time.
12. Provide Staff With Welcome Kits
Who doesn’t like getting a welcome kit with stationery, a bag, and some cool stuff? Providing your new employees with employee appreciation gift bags and kits will make them feel welcomed and appreciated.
Most companies include useful objects that employees can use in the office. Some of them are:
- Coolers
- Pens
- Backpacks
- Bags
- Notebook
- Sticky notes
- Stickers
- Pins
- Laptop
13. Have a Wall of Fame
Having a picture with the employee of the month is not enough. You can devise a more creative way of recognizing your employees, such as by having a wall of fame.
Select one area in the office that everybody can see and make it your wall of fame. There, you can hang the pictures of those who contributed to the company. Employees can be there to perform excellently, have no absences, solve big challenges, and more.
In addition, include a description of the person’s achievement and why they’re there.
14. Offer Prizes
There are many employee appreciation ideas. A useful one is to offer prizes based on particular tasks, such as working extra hours or dealing with challenging cases or clients.
15. Keep the Kitchen Equipped
A well-equipped kitchen in the office can simplify your employees’ lives. You should provide them access to essential appliances when it comes to the kitchen.
Some of the things you should equip your kitchen with are:
- Microwaves
- Refrigerator
- Water dispenser
- Sink
- Cutlery
- Glasses
16. Acknowledge Non-Work-Related Achievements
Employees have their own interests, hobbies, and activities outside the office. Some achieve things that are not work-related.
Even though their achievements are not work-related, recognizing your employees for personal accomplishments is a way to show appreciation. This will help them see that you care about them and that they are more than just employees.
17. Have Lunch With Employees
From all the employee appreciation ideas, this one will show that managers and employees are equal. Occasionally, you can go where the staff has lunch and eat with them.
This way, they’ll perceive you as a team member rather than the boss
18. Offer Help With Student Debt
Did you know that student debt in the US is higher than in any other country?
The Chamber of Commerce states that federal student debt is 1.3 trillion dollars.
With a student loan repayment program, you can help your employees save thousands of dollars. Some of the characteristics to look for in a program:
- Simple and secure setup process
- Mobile-first user experience
- Scalable throughout the entire organization
- Intuitive dashboards and analytics
- Real-time notification of payments
- Custom ROI calculator
19. Allow Theme Days in the Office
Why not have a fun, relaxing day in the office by having a theme day? According to the American Institute of Stress, 40% of workers said their jobs were very stressful.
In addition, 25% of employees view their jobs as the number one stressor in their lives.
This means that relaxing more at work is necessary.
You can call it “crazy hat day.” Whatever it is, the idea is to have fun and memorable moments.
20. Celebrate Anniversaries
This list of employee appreciation ideas is not complete without this. Is anything worse than being in a company for years and nobody recognizing that?
Don’t forget to celebrate the anniversaries of your employees in the company. You can give them presents, a prize, or a bonus.
Remember that your employees invest valuable years of their lives in your company. Let them know that you appreciate that.
21. Organize Sports Tournaments
A fantastic way to foster good relationships and camaraderie in your company is to have competitions.
You can organize volleyball, soccer, basketball, and even baseball competitions. Other ideas include board games such as chess and checkers.
22. Have Decoration Competitions
Some employees don’t do any sports. To engage those employees, you can have decoration competitions in the office. A few ideas include Christmas, Easter, summer, and Valentine’s decorations.
You can organize the competitions by department, and the team with the most creative decoration will win a prize.
Competitions are a way to keep motivation and engagement levels high. They also foster teamwork and good relationships among your staff.
23. Introduce Mentoring Programs
According to a SuccessFactors study, employees in mentoring programs receive higher compensation and promotions.
These employee appreciation ideas seek to help employees feel better at work. That’s why having a mentoring program is the way to go.
24. Have a Talent Show
Having a “different” day in the office can make a big difference regarding employee satisfaction. By having a talent show, they will have a memorable day while they relax and have fun.
According to the American Institute of Stress, 29% of employees have yelled at co-workers due to high-stress levels. The question is, why yell at each other when they can have more fun instead? Organize a talent show and let employees relax.
25. Celebrate Holidays
Depending on the industry, many companies can’t take days off during holidays. That does not mean you can’t celebrate them.
Holidays are the perfect chance to have a theme day, a celebration with snacks and some music, or even cut a cake and give presents according to the celebration.
26. Make Employees’ Achievements Public
You can recognize employees’ efforts and achievements in many different ways. You can give them presents, bonuses, and days off and congratulate them in person.
27. Listen to Employees Suggestions and Act Accordingly
You have suggestion boxes, small talk in the hallways, representatives, letters, etc. No matter what communication channel employees use, always listen to them and act accordingly when possible.
Ignoring your workers’ suggestions is a big step in the wrong direction. Of course, not all the tips are viable. That said, consider the viable ones and make them happen if possible.
28. Allow Home-Office Days
According to Quartz, 5.2% of American employees worked at home in 2017. This represents 0.2% more than in 2016 and continues to increase annually.
You don’t have to tell your employees to work from home from now on. However, allowing them to do so (if possible) once a week or a month can contribute to lower stress levels.
29. Be Flexible When Employees Have Difficult Moments
When employees do their best and are willing to help the company grow, they expect some flexibility in return. Sometimes, employees can have personal issues, such as emergencies, ailments, family situations, and more, that may require some time off, like bereavement leave.
You must be sympathetic and willing to help them overcome any situation they might be undergoing. A simple “take the day off” or “let me know how this company can help you” can make all the difference.
Also, if they require it, be flexible with their schedule. Come to terms with them and find a way to help them when needed.
30. Have an End-of-Year Party
The long-awaited moment of the year has come. It is time to throw a party that people will keep discussing until March. This is many employees’ favorite moment of the year.
How disappointing it is to work hard during the entire year only to find out there’s no party at the end of the rainbow. Make sure you organize a party to thank your employees for their effort and willingness to improve every day. They will appreciate it.
31. Organize Raffles and Contests
One of the many employee appreciation ideas is having contests and raffles. You can offer different prizes that employees can win if they participate.
Don’t forget to give small gifts for participating in the contest so no one goes home feeling bad.
32. Have a Special Appreciation Trophy
This is a way to keep employees motivated during stressful and challenging days. Having a rotatory trophy can help boost employee morale and confidence, and thus, they can feel engaged.
The concept is simple. When employees achieve something important, they receive the trophy until someone else does the same.
33. Organize Trips
This is one of the most popular ideas for employee recognition and appreciation. Who doesn’t like going out on a trip?
For this purpose, you can select different destinations and have employees vote on the best option. Don’t forget to check the budget available for this first, though.
Some popular places to visit are the place where the company originated, a popular landmark in your city, a restaurant, or any other appropriate place.
34. Play Secret Santa
This is old school but still popular these days. When the time comes, organize the game and encourage everybody to play it.
Even though it’s no big deal, this simple game fosters good relationships among staff and allows employees to have a relaxing day.
35. Give Snacks
Everybody loves snacks. Snacking is another popular option for employee appreciation food ideas. Stock the kitchen with employees’ favorite snacks so they can relax a little bit more during those endless and stressful working hours.
36. Allow Casual Fridays
Many companies allow casual Fridays. Why not do the same? Let employees relax and wear casual clothes on Fridays.
Another option is to have a casual Monday or Wednesday. The idea is to reduce stress levels on days with heavier workloads. Employees will appreciate this and feel more comfortable.
37. Leave Sticky Notes
Sometimes, a simple detail can say a lot. When employees are doing a remarkable job, leaving a sticky note on their desks saying thanks can make a person happy and motivated. And the best part? It’s easy and inexpensive to do.
38. Have a Fun Break Room
When the break time comes, employees want to relax and forget about stress related to the workplace. You can have a break room that helps them relax for an hour.
You can include a ping pong table, board games, a TV set, and more.
39. Have a Pet Day
High stress levels in the workplace can negatively affect employees’ satisfaction and health. For this reason, it is beneficial to have a pet day in the office (if possible).
According to Very Well Mind, contact with a pet can significantly reduce stress levels. Consider allowing employees to bring their pets for one day to create a more productive and happier work environment.
40. Make Commuting Cheaper
Commuting is expensive, and many employees face this reality every day. According to Inc., the average commuting time in the US is 50 minutes. Also, spending a long time commuting harms job satisfaction.
The results are depressing if we calculate how much employees spend on transportation. Employees must spend money on the bus, subway, train, taxi, and gas for car owners.
For this reason, giving employees a monthly transportation bonus can significantly improve their job satisfaction and make them feel more appreciated.
Showing Your Employees Appreciation Is the Way to Go
Showing your employees appreciation and recognizing their effort has never been easier. According to Social Cast, 69% of employees would work harder if they felt their effort was recognized.
Also, a study published by Bersin & Associates found that companies with high employee engagement levels have 31% lower employee turnover rates.
For this reason, increasing employees’ engagement and satisfaction by showing appreciation and employee recognition is an effective strategy for lowering company turnover rates.
Remember, a happy employee is a productive one.
FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about employee appreciation ideas:
What are some cost-effective ways to celebrate Employee Appreciation Day?
Celebrating Employee Appreciation Day doesn’t have to be expensive. You can organize a potluck lunch where everyone contributes a dish, hold a team-building activity like a scavenger hunt or a friendly sports game, or create personalized thank-you notes for each team member. These gestures show appreciation without straining the budget. Another idea is to organize a recognition ceremony where employees nominate their peers for special awards, highlighting their contributions to the team’s success. By focusing on thoughtful gestures and team recognition, you can make Employee Appreciation Day meaningful and memorable.
How can professional development opportunities contribute to employee appreciation efforts?
Professional development opportunities are crucial in showing employees that their growth and career advancement are valued. Providing access to workshops, seminars, or online courses related to their field enhances their skills and demonstrates investment in their long-term success. Additionally, offering mentorship programs or encouraging participation in industry conferences allows employees to expand their networks and stay updated with industry trends. Employers reinforce their commitment to employee development by fostering continuous learning and growth, a powerful form of appreciation.
What role does a positive work environment play in employee appreciation?
A positive work environment is essential for practical employee appreciation efforts. It encompasses open communication, supportive leadership, and a culture of respect and collaboration. Employees who feel valued and respected are more likely to be motivated and engaged in their work. Simple gestures like regular team meetings to discuss achievements, creating opportunities for feedback, and promoting work-life balance contribute to a positive atmosphere. Recognizing and celebrating personal and professional milestones further enhances the team’s sense of belonging and appreciation.
What are some inexpensive employee appreciation ideas that promote a positive work environment?
Promoting a positive work environment through inexpensive appreciation ideas can be highly effective. For instance, establishing a “kudos board” where colleagues can publicly recognize each other’s accomplishments fosters a supportive culture. Implementing a flexible work-from-home policy or offering additional paid time off for personal development activities demonstrates trust and respect for work-life balance. Hosting themed appreciation days, such as a casual dress day or a breakfast social, allows for informal bonding among team members. These small but meaningful gestures create a positive work environment where employees feel valued and motivated to contribute their best.
If you are new to Human Resources and are looking to break into a HR role, we recommend taking our HR Certification Courses, where you will learn how to build your skillset in human resources, build your human resources network, craft a great HR resume, and create a successful job search strategy.
