Employee incentives are an important aspect of any organization’s employee retention strategy. With 2 in 3 workers saying they do not always feel that their contributions are appropriately appreciated in their workplace, ensuring your appreciation is felt by staff is crucial to a workplace’s atmosphere. These incentives not only motivate employees to work harder and be more productive, but they also make them feel valued and appreciated by their employers. Plus, with 63% of employers feeling that their team’s communication improves after a team-building activity, hosting one for your staff is a no-brainer!
In today’s competitive job market, it is crucial for employers to offer attractive incentives that go beyond just a paycheck. And no, we’re not talking about pizza parties and free coffee. These 11 employee incentives are actually appreciated by employees and can help boost their morale, job satisfaction, and overall happiness at work.
#1: Flexible Work Hours
One of the most desired incentives among employees is flexibility in their work hours. This could mean having the option to work from home on certain days or being able to adjust their schedules to better suit their personal needs. By offering flexible work hours, employers can show that they trust and value their employees’ time and well-being outside of work. In return, employees are likely to be more motivated and dedicated to their work, as they will be working when they feel most productive and comfortable. Plus, using Shyfter, it’s easy to create work schedules, no matter how often they change, or how many employees you have!
#2: Work-Life Balance Programs
In addition to flexible work hours, employers can also provide various programs and resources to promote work-life balance for their employees. This could include on-site gyms, yoga classes, mindfulness workshops, or even offering paid time off for personal activities such as volunteering or attending a child’s school event. These programs not only help employees maintain a healthy work-life balance, but they also show that the company cares about their well-being beyond work.
#3: Professional Development Opportunities
Employees want to feel like they are growing and advancing in their careers. By offering professional development opportunities such as workshops, conferences, or tuition reimbursement for further education, employers can demonstrate their commitment to their employees’ personal and professional growth. This not only benefits the employee but also the company as a whole as employees are likely to bring new skills and knowledge back to their work.
#4: Recognition and Rewards
Employees want to feel valued and appreciated for their hard work. Employers can show recognition and appreciation through various rewards such as bonuses, promotions, or even just a simple thank-you note. This not only boosts employee morale, but it also encourages them to continue performing at their best. You could also implement an employee of the month program or have team-building activities to foster a positive work culture.
#5: Open and Transparent Communication
Effective communication is crucial for a healthy and productive workplace. Employers should strive to be open, honest, and transparent with their employees about company updates, changes, and expectations. This not only builds trust between the employer and employees, but it also allows for better collaboration and understanding within the team.
#6: Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity and inclusion should be a top priority for any company. Employers should create an inclusive and welcoming environment for employees from all backgrounds, cultures, and identities. This not only promotes diversity in the workplace but also allows for different perspectives to contribute to company growth and innovation. Moreover, employers should ensure that their policies and practices do not discriminate against any group of individuals.
#7: Public Recognition
One way to show recognition and appreciation for employees is through public recognition. This could include highlighting their achievements during team meetings, sharing positive feedback from clients or colleagues, or publicly acknowledging their hard work on social media platforms. Not only does this make the employee feel valued, but it also boosts their confidence and motivates them to continue performing well. For example, you could share a success story on social media about about one of your employees who recently completed a difficult project or received recognition from a client.
#8: Extra Vacation Days
Offering extra vacation days as a reward for exceptional performance or reaching specific goals is also a great way to show appreciation and recognition. This not only allows employees to take a well-deserved break, but it also shows that the company values work-life balance and understands the importance of rest and relaxation. Employers could offer these extra vacation days on top of their regular vacation policy, as a surprise bonus for employees who have gone above and beyond their job responsibilities.
#9: Casual Fridays or Dress Down Days
Introducing casual dress days, also known as “Casual Fridays”, can be a fun and easy way to show appreciation for employees. This allows them to express their individual style and feel comfortable in the workplace, which can improve their overall mood and productivity. It also breaks away from the monotony of wearing formal business attire every day. Employers could also consider making this a regular occurrence, such as every Friday, or tying it to reaching certain goals or milestones.
#10: Offer Personal Assistants
While this next tip is not applicable to every job type, if you work in an office setting, offering personal assistants to high-performing employees can be a valuable way to show appreciation. This can alleviate some of their workload and allow them to focus on more important tasks, while also giving them the opportunity to delegate and mentor others. This not only shows recognition for their hard work, but it also helps develop leadership skills within the company.
#11: Bonuses
At the end of the day, no matter how much someone loves their job, they are still working to earn a living. Providing bonuses, either in the form of monetary rewards or gift cards, can be a great way to show appreciation for employees’ dedication and hard work. It can also be used as a selling point during recruitment, as potential employees will see that the company values and rewards their employees’ efforts.
Final Thoughts
Overall, employee appreciation should not be a one-time event or an afterthought. It should be integrated into the company’s culture and consistently shown through various means. This can lead to higher employee satisfaction, retention, and ultimately contribute to the company’s success. As an employer, it is important to regularly evaluate and improve upon your methods of showing appreciation, as what may work for one employee may not work for another. So, consider offering these 11 ways to show appreciation and make your employees feel valued every day.
