Employee Appreciation and Recognition – Fostering a Culture of Gratitude and Engagement

Welcome to gThankYou’s comprehensive guide on employee appreciation and recognition. In today’s fast-paced and competitive business environment, it’s more important than ever to prioritize the well-being and happiness of your employees. Moreover, by creating a culture of gratitude and recognizing employees for their hard work and contributions, you can cultivate a positive work environment where employees feel valued, motivated, and engaged.

The Power of Employee Recognition

Understand the significant impact of employee recognition on productivity, performance, and employee retention. In addition, discover how recognition connects employees to the organization, elevates performance, and increases their sense of pride and ownership. Learn why recognition should be an essential part of every leader’s responsibilities.

Creative Ideas for Employee Appreciation

Explore a variety of practical and innovative ideas to appreciate your employees. From personalized thank you notes and messages to team bonding activities and appreciation events, discover creative ways to express your gratitude. Above all, find inspiration to go beyond traditional holiday gestures and celebrate your employees throughout the year.

Valuable Resources for Year-Round Appreciation

Access gThankYou’s collection of resources to enhance your employee appreciation efforts. Find guides on writing thank you notes, planning holiday appreciation, maximizing employee recognition time, and more. Discover valuable insights and practical tips to help you express gratitude and appreciation year-round. In short, these resources are designed to assist you in creating a culture of appreciation that promotes engagement and loyalty among your employees.

Employee appreciation and recognition are essential for building a positive workplace culture. Discover the power of recognizing employees, explore creative ideas for showing appreciation, and access valuable resources to express gratitude year-round. By fostering a culture of gratitude and engagement, you can create a work environment where employees thrive, leading to increased productivity, satisfaction, and loyalty. Embrace the culture of gratitude and start appreciating your employees today.



  • Employee Appreciation Gifts for Easter & Spring

    Easter Employee Appreciation Gifts

    Surprise your staff with employee appreciation gifts from gThankYou to celebrate Easter and the joys of spring!

    gThankYou Gift Certificates make it easy, affordable and meaningful to thank employees at the holidays or anytime. Available in a range of values from $5 to $30, gift certificates allow recipients to choose any brand of merchandise from virtually any chain grocery store in the U.S.

    Your employees will appreciate the freedom to choose the brands they like, when and where they would like to shop. (more…)

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  • 10 Employee Appreciation Ideas

    We Appreciate You.

    Did you remember Employee Appreciation Day? If it passed you by, it’s never too late!

    Everyday expressions of gratitude can be easy and effective. Simple gestures such as saying thank you can foster a culture of gratitude, where appreciation is shared frequently and effortlessly.

    Here are 10 employee appreciation ideas that you can execute on the fly:

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  • Employee Appreciation Holiday Gifts

    Appreciation is a key element of the holidays

     

    First and foremost, let’s appreciate this cute puppy. Okay, now let’s focus on appreciation in the workplace.

    It’s that time of year to celebrate, reflect and plan ahead for next year. What does that really look like in your organization? It all begins with gratitude for the people who show up and give it their all.

    It’s an excellent time to really take stock of all the moving pieces in an organization – everyone from janitorial staff to truck drivers to administrative assistants to volunteers. Everyone plays a role, so make sure that leadership appropriately acknowledges each and every person in the ecosystem.

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  • Corporate Gift-Giving Etiquette

    Holiday gifts

    The holiday season is a time for giving, and many organizations choose to give gifts to their employees and other stakeholders. Corporate gift giving can be a great way to share your appreciation, strengthen relationships, and boost morale. However, it’s important to be mindful of corporate gift-giving etiquette.

    Many organizations have corporate gift giving guidelines to help streamline their giving practices. Do you? If not, here are some tips for corporate gift-giving etiquette that should serve as some guidelines to keep everyone on the same page.

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  • How To Implement a Corporate Gifting Program

    Big ribbon on a gift

    Corporate gifting is the practice of businesses giving gifts to employees, customers, and other stakeholders. It can be a powerful way to build relationships, show appreciation, and promote your brand. However, it’s important to have a corporate gifting program and policies in place to ensure that gifts are given in a consistent and ethical manner.

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  • Steak Gifts are Affordable, Delicious and Easy!

    Steak gifts are the perfect idea for employees, clients and business partners

    Steak is a classic and delicious meal enjoyed by people of all ages and palates. It is a versatile protein that can be cooked in a variety of ways, making it a great option for a premier but affordable appreciation gift. Steak night – paired with asparagus and a bold red wine – can inspire a romantic or celebratory evening. Steak on the grill with some potatoes and artichokes can be set the stage for a family evening in the backyard. Giving steak for gifts is almost guaranteed to be met with gratitude.

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  • Pizza Gifts offer a Hearty Slice of Appreciation

    Pizza gifts are a great way to say thank you.

    Pizza. It’s a universally loved food that brings people together and puts a smile on everyone’s face. Whether it’s a casual get-together, a special celebration, or simply a night in at home, pizza symbolizes a fun meal usually shared among friends, family or colleagues. Therefore, when you need to show appreciation, pizza gifts are an excellent and easy way to say, “thank you” (our favorite phrase).

    Has your team completed a challenging project? Did the sales team meet a milestone? Do you need to thank a team of interns for their diligent work? Whatever you need to celebrate, pizza is a safe but perfect gesture of gratitude.

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  • Mid-Year Engagement & Recognition Check-in

    Engagement and recognition plans

    A lot of strategic planning and budgeting happens at the end of the year, with certain elements deployed in January and February. Everyone enjoys buying their new year calendars when everything is fresh for a new start. However, many important plans, like those for employee engagement & recognition, need to be consistently reviewed. Here are some questions to ask yourself as a mid-year check-in to see if the right activities are happening and objectives are being met:

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  • Why Ice Cream Gift Certificates Are a Great Gift

    Ice cream makes a great summer gift.

    Summer is a time for fun, relaxation, and enjoying the outdoors. It’s also a time when people are looking for ways to cool down and beat the heat. What better way to do that than with a delicious ice cream treat? What’s even better? An ice cream gift certificate

    Ice cream is a popular summer treat for a reason. It’s sweet, refreshing, and there are endless flavors to choose from. It’s also a great way to show employees that you appreciate their hard work.

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  • The Benefits of Employee Recognition

    Even a fist bump and thank you count as employee recognition.

     

    At gThankYou, we are obviously strong advocates of employee recognition – we’ve built our business upon this principle! In building and maintaining a culture of gratitude, it’s important to recognize employees for their hard work, initiative and commitment. Recognition can positively impact many facets of the business and should be part of a leader’s responsibilities.

    In The Importance of Employee Recognition: Statistics and Research by Quantum Workplace, the article states, “When employees are rewarded for their contributions, they feel ownership and pride and are willing to work just as hard on their next project. Recognition connects them to the organization, elevates performance, and increases the likelihood they’ll stay.”
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  • Holiday Appreciation Ideas & Resources

    Festive holiday ornaments
    At gThankYou, we like to think of ourselves as “gratitude experts.” We are strong believers in year-round employee appreciation but encourage an extra dose of thankfulness during the holidays. Here are some resources as you focus on holiday appreciation ideas.

    Holiday Appreciation Ideas & Resources

    Thank You Notes

    Although we often publish our guide to thank you notes around Thanksgiving, it’s not too late to write a letter of gratitude in December. We encourage leaders to take the time to write something personal to those who make an impact on the business. It’s well-received and appreciated — and is a smart business move in a world where retention is key. Read more here: Put the “Thanks” into Your Thanksgiving Letter or Write a Holiday Thank You Note to Remember. (more…)

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  • Inspiring Teacher Appreciation with Three Stories

    ladies talking on swings

    Photo by Bewakoof.com Official on Unsplash

    Looking for a team bonding activity that gets people talking, laughing and learning together? Share stories that inspire teacher appreciation! Stories about the teachers we appreciate are a window into our own values and aspirations, and telling and listening to these stories with coworkers helps us connect and builds a culture of gratitude. A broad interpretation of “teacher” can include anyone whose knowledge and influence had a lasting impact. (more…)

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  • BIG List of Employee Appreciation Gift Ideas

    Employee Appreciation Gift Ideas - The Best Gift is You!

     

    2-4-6-8 – Who do we appreciate? Our hardworking employees!!

    Just in time for the holidays, gThankYou has released our Big List of Employee Appreciation Gift Ideas! This book is perfect all year for inspiration for ways to support and recognize the people who make your business work. Best yet, it’s FREE to download and share with colleagues.

    Still looking for the perfect holiday workplace gift? Check it out! Although here’s our suggestion!

    The eBook is broken down into categories and lists so it’s easy to read, get inspired and apply. It’s the perfect go-to resource as you brainstorm and think through employee appreciation planning now and in the coming year. (more…)

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  • Holiday Appreciation Planning Checklist

    Worker with holiday appreciation planning checklist!

    Believe it or not, the holidays are just around the corner. Planning ahead is key to avoid scrambling and making the season more hectic than enjoyable. The good news is that we have the tools to help you succeed! Our new holiday appreciation planning checklist can be used year-round, offering ideas for ways to celebrate your employees.

    This time of year, we highly recommend ordering your Turkey Gift Certificates and free Gratitude Cards NOW so you can cross it off your to-do list.

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  • The Magic of On-the-Spot Recognition

    On-the-spot recognition = instant results. When you recognize employees right away, the benefits start right away. It’s simple and pays off. Try it today!

    Thank you for being.According to Indeed.com, “When people are offered consistent, actionable feedback, they can gain better insight into their successes and opportunities for improvement. Positive feedback is especially important because it increases morale, encourages good work and helps provide a sense of purpose.”

    A once-a-year party is great for tradition, but it doesn’t ultimately affect day-to-day performance. Shift your paradigm from celebrating at the end of the year or on an anniversary to how can we keep appreciation and a culture of celebration alive all year-round?

    It’s time to make recognition an ongoing, everyday activity. Read on to find out why on-the-spot recognition is so effective — and easier than you think!
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  • Recognize Employees to Build Confidence

    Clay Banks, Unsplash - happy workplace!

    We are here to remind you: Recognize employees for small wins regularly. Doing so results in a confident, productive workplace.

    Praise for specific acts of excellence builds employee self-confidence and increases engagement.

    Employee recognition is one of the most important responsibilities of leaders. It’s smart business, directly affecting productivity, retention and overall culture.

    According to Quantum Workplace,

    Organizations with formal recognition programs have 31% (more…)

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  • Employee Appreciation : Digital Feedback Platforms

    Employee Appreciation Really MattersIf you’re reading this blog post, it’s probably because you care about employee appreciation and you may be wondering how digital feedback platforms can help (and which ones could be a good fit for your company).

    Why Employee Appreciation Matters

    In a Workplace article on Gallup’s website examining the impact of employee recognition, writers Annamarie Mann and Nate Dvorak point out: (more…)

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  • 4 Tips To Maximize Employee Recognition Time

    Maximize employee recognition time.
    As a leader you’re probably getting pulled in a million different directions and your time is in short supply.  But the time you spend really being present in a sincere, mindful and purposeful way when interacting with your employees and recognizing them for their efforts and contributions is time well-spent.
    With a bit of effort you can break some bad habits and start embracing some new practices and ways of thinking that can help boost morale (and ultimately your bottom line). Read on for straightforward ways to maximize employee recognition time.
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  • Don’t (Just) Recognize Employees…

    Don't (just) recognize employees, appreciate them with your heartfelt gratitude!

    Genuine appreciation and gratitude for employees really resonates. (Photo by Carl Attard from Pexels.)

    People tend to think of recognition and appreciation as the same thing, but knowing the difference and focusing on genuinely appreciating the employees working for you can impact morale, engagement and satisfaction in the workplace.  So don’t (just) recognize employees, appreciate them with your sincere gratitude!

    What is the Difference?

    In an article for Ladders, Paul White described the reasons why employers should stop recognizing employees and start appreciating them. White shared that too often he has encountered employee recognition programs that not only don’t seem to be working, but are in fact generating apathetic, sarcastic and cynical reactions from employees.  White believes this is because recognition is different from authentic appreciation.
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  • Recognize and Retain Hospitality Industry Employees

    Hospitality Industry Employees
    Almost every industry is facing staffing challenges, but perhaps the hospitality industry is the hardest hit. Knowing how to recognize and retain hospitality industry employees is critical to business survival.
    It’s not unheard for restaurant employees to take a job at a competitor across the street for just .25 cents more an hour!
    Both front of the house and back of the house staff would be less tempted to leave for such a small raise if they felt engaged, valued and appreciated.
    In a blog post on Toast.com about turnover rates in the restaurant industry, these startling retention stats were shared: (more…)

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How gThankYou Certificates Work

Step 1

Order Certificates

Choose the gThankYou Certificates you want and order them online or by telephone.

Step 2

Ship directly to your business

Your order is delivered by UPS. Nearly all orders ship the day received. Overnight shipping is available.

Step 3

Distribute to your employees

Personalize your gThankYou Certificates with Giver name or logo (both optional) and give them to employees.

Step 4

Redeem at any grocery store

Recipients redeem Certificates at major U.S. grocery stores and select the items they want.