Employee Appreciation Day is coming up on Monday, March 1, 2024 – are you prepared? According to a survey done by the Boston Consulting Group, appreciation is one of the top factors employees consider when deciding whether to stay at a job or not. Need some ideas on how to show gratitude to your staff? We’ve compiled a list of the best Employee Appreciation Day ideas For 2024.
Employee Appreciation Day ideas
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Company Swag or Gift Kits
From personalized apparel to customized drinkware (did someone say Stanley?) to branded Bluetooth speakers and gift kits – customized swag is a great way to show appreciation. For more ideas, view our promotional products portfolio!
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Recognition and Awards Ceremony
Gather your staff and publicly recognize individual employees. Whether you want to keep it lighthearted and fun (think The Office Dundie Awards) or celebrate employee achievements and milestones, a public nod is sure to be appreciated. Take it a step further and consider making custom trophies or awards for your employees!
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Gift Cards
This one’s a no-brainer, but don’t settle for a basic, boring gift card! Make it more personalized and meaningful by getting fully branded gift cards or gift card holders customized with your brand’s logo and colors or personalized with your employees’ names.
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Personalized Desk Accessories
This is a fun way to brighten the mood and the workspace! You can go with accessories like personalized or branded planters, mousepads, sticky notes, desk organizers, stationery, and so much more!
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Breakfast Or Lunch On The House
Whether you do this regularly (go you!) or you reserve catered meals for special office occasions, a delicious meal on the house is always appreciated. You can ask your staff for input about where to order from or bring in a food truck if you’re feeling a little extra. Tip: be as inclusive as possible and add vegan, vegetarian, and allergy-friendly options to the menu.
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Personalized Thank-You Cards
Who doesn’t appreciate a personalized thank you card? Personalized cards are a great way to create a more personal and meaningful connection between employers and employees and foster a sense of appreciation and motivation.
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Thank-You Video
Creating a thank-you video for your staff is a great way to make Employee Appreciation Day more personal and meaningful. This is an excellent idea for your remote employees as well!
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Flexible Work Schedule
A little R&R does everybody some good. Employee Appreciation Day is an excellent opportunity to ease up on the schedule and give your employees some extra downtime. You can offer the option to start late, leave early, have an extended lunch, etc.
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Wellness Activities
Say thank you by sponsoring wellness activities for your staff. It’s a thoughtful gesture that can help reduce stress, improve mental health, create a positive work environment, and show that you care about and support your employees. A Yoga or meditation class, health & wellness workshops, and a healthy snack & food bar are some great wellness activity ideas.
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Team Building Activities
Team building activities are a great way to infuse some fun into the workday and show appreciation to your hard-working employees. There are many ideas online, but if you don’t have the time to invest, consider hiring a team-building company!
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Social Media Shoutouts
Think of this as a digital Wall of Fame. It always feels good to be acknowledged, but being acknowledged publicly is next level. Whether you create your own social media content or hire a third party (cue Strategic Factory’s creative team), make sure to schedule Employee Appreciation Day posts on your social media calendar!
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Employee Appreciation Wall
A little public acknowledgment can go a long way. Having an Employee Wall of Fame or Recognition Wall can boost employee morale and motivation to perform. Feature aspects like milestones, accomplishments, and positive feedback. Our signage experts can help you with all of your signage needs (from design to installation; we do it all).
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Field Trip Day
Field trips are fun and unifying, and create a sense of camaraderie. Treat your staff to a change of scenery with an industry-related activity outside the office, or give back together by participating in a community day of service.
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Friendly Contests and Competitions
Friendly competition can be a fun and unifying experience for your team that creates a sense of community. Some creative contest and competition ideas: Chopped, Cupcake Decorating Competition, Office Olympics, Trivia, Talent Show, Karaoke, Lip Sync Battles.
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Ideas for Remote Employees
With over 27% of Americans working remotely, it’s important to plan something appropriate for your virtual staff for Employee Appreciation Day as well. Digital Gift Cards, Virtual Escape Rooms, Sending Care Packages, Thank You Videos, a Social Media Shoutout, and a Virtual Happy Hour are some great ideas.
Start Planning for Employee Appreciation Day
82% of employees feel that recognition plays a big role in their happiness at their job. Take advantage of Employee Appreciation Day to express gratitude and appreciation to your hard-working employees. Strategic Factory can assist with your Employee Appreciation needs from custom printing solutions to gift kits and awards, for Employee Appreciation Day or ANY day!
Reach out to our experts at [email protected] or 443.548.3500.
