Think back to the last time someone told you that you did an amazing job. Does that bring a smile to your face? Positive reinforcement in the workplace motivates employees to keep up the good work. Employee recognition programs don’t have to be expensive, and they are a wise investment if you want to keep your employees engaged and happy.

Creative Ways to Recognize Employees

CEO for the Day
CEO for the day programs can provide valuable feedback from your team. The employee selected for this opportunity wouldn’t necessarily be calling big shots, but they would be observing the CEO’s daily responsibilities and asking questions about what you do. As the CEO works out daily challenges about how to improve your company, the employee can provide a unique perspective to the table. They can learn leadership skills during this experience, and the experience also provides motivation for them to work hard and stay loyal to the company, so they can move up the ranks themselves.

Lunch with the Boss
Lunch with the boss can be a small way to show appreciation. Let the employee choose the location. This is a good time for you to get to know your employee on a more personal level and also hear their ideas about how to improve the company. When your employees feel listened to and appreciated, they will continue to be valuable assets to your company.

Social Activities
A themed team lunch can be a way to recognize employees and encourage team building. Have fun with the lunch! The more creative, the better. Your employees will appreciate the thoughtfulness of this form of recognition. Social engagement in the workplace can actually improve work engagement. The more friendly of an atmosphere you have in your company, the less likely your employees are to wake up in the morning and decide to take a “personal day.”

Traditional Award Ceremonies
People love to be recognized in front of their colleagues. Organize an awards ceremony once a year or combine it with a social activity, and bring attention to an employee’s accomplishments and achievements. Don’t just have generic recognitions, like “employee of the month,” but reward employees with specific work characteristics that you appreciate, for example, attendance or initiative. Publishing the recognition in a company newsletter or on the company intranet are all ways to show your appreciation publicly.

Coupon for a Casual Day
Most people aren’t crazy about dressing up each day for work. Give your employee a coupon to use at their discretion. You might want to set a few guidelines, for example, jeans with no holes are okay, but pajama pants or sweats are not. When other employees ask him or her why they’re dressed down, they can tell their co-workers that why they received this reward. This will encourage other employees to work hard as well.

On-the-Spot Recognition
Give an on-the-spot reward. Make it a habit to catch an employee doing something right. Keep some gift cards readily available to pass out. This is a wonderful way to show them that you see their hard work.

Thank You Notes
Too many people no longer recognize the value of  a handwritten thank you note. If you appreciate an employee’s work, let them know you care enough to take the time and write out your appreciate.
Showing your employees their value to your company is essential. Oftentimes, a simple gesture of appreciation and recognition will work wonders to increase employee morale and productivity. Don’t forget to make an extra effort to reward those heavy hitters that go the extra mile. Employee retention should be proactive, not reactive. If you wait until unhappiness sets in, it is usually too late to preserve the employer-employee relationship.