Any time is a good time to say thank you to employees! Team members who feel valued, appreciated, and overtly recognized will be happier and more productive. But are you drawing a blank on where to start? We can help! Here are employee thank you ideas that anyone can do – anytime!
At gThankYou, we are here to help leaders remember some easy “employee thank you ideas.” Even when you are low on budget, time, and resources, there are easy ways to improve morale by expressing gratitude and recognition for employees, volunteers, or anyone who plays a role in your organization.
For Everyday Employee Thank You Ideas – Recognition Matters
- Organizations with formal recognition programs have 31% less voluntary turnover than those without [Quantum Workplace].
- Employees who believe their work is recognized are 2.7 times more likely to be highly engaged [Forbes].
- Business productivity increases by 31% when employees are happy [Deloitte].
- Employees who feel recognized are more likely to recognize their colleagues, fostering a culture of appreciation and collaboration [Nectar].
- While bonuses and raises are important, recognition is often more motivating in the long run [Harvard Business Review].
- 64% of employees say recognition is even more important while working remotely [Cooleaf].
- Studies show that recognition builds trust, leading to better communication, collaboration, and problem-solving [Quantum Workplace].
- When employees feel valued, they are more likely to put in extra effort and go above and beyond, inspiring their colleagues to do the same [Apollo Technical].
Creative Employee Thank You Ideas, No Matter the Season
With the explosion of video and social media, there are many ways to share creative employee thank you ideas these days! We encourage you to find ways that resonate with colleagues and fit with your company culture. Here are a handful of always appropriate, always appreciated employee thank you ideas:
Host Thank-You Note Thursdays
Give letter-writing a try as a group. Supply the stationery and encourage notes between colleagues, from employees to customers and/or vendors. Scheduling even just a little time together each week to do this can strengthen relationships both inside the office as well as those you do business with. Simple treats like bagels can help fuel the fun.
Display a Gratitude Board
Hang up a physical board in the office or create a virtual board online to give employees a mechanism to thank one another and give kudos to their peers. Leaders should set an example by regularly posting.
Send a Shower of “Thank Yous”
This may be one of our favorite employee thank you ideas. When a team member does something that goes above-and-beyond or takes care of a sticky situation, shower them with gratitude! Coordinate the rest of the team or the office send the individual a wave of small paper thank you notes all at once! The wave of appreciation from colleagues and managers will make an impact.
Throw a Surprise Appreciation Party
Acknowledge your team’s hard work by conjuring up a surprise. End work early and give everyone a chance to eat, drink, and be merry! Hint: if you schedule it as a (mysterious) mandatory meeting your staff will be less likely to be out of the office. Don’t forget virtual workers. Invite them to join via Zoom and send them a certificate for an ice cream treat so they can participate in the fun!
Take What You Need/Give What You Can Boards
Popularized in schools across the country, these boards often have bright Post-it notes with inspiring messages of support and thanks. People are encouraged to peel off and use to help them tackle the day or find a positive way of looking at a challenge. Search Pinterest for board inspiration.
Make it Memorable with a Classic Thank You Note
Don’t underestimate the lasting power and impact of a simple, handwritten thank you note. When you reflect on thank you notes you have received over the years, doesn’t it generate a warm feeling? You may have even saved a few of those notes because they were meaningful. It doesn’t need to be lofty or poetic writing; it just needs to be sincere. A few sentences that convey gratitude can resonate as much as parties, gifts, or awards.
Uncertain about what to say and how to say it? Need more employee thank you ideas? We can help. This quote from our guide, “How to Write Thank You Notes That Employees Will Treasure,” sums up why anyone can (and should) write them:
“…anyone can afford to write a thank you note. And it’s always within your reach. All you need is some stationery, a few minutes of your heartfelt attention and the will to write an authentic message.”
Learn How to Write Thank You Notes That Employees Will Treasure
Here are four pillars of praise to keep in mind when sharing workplace appreciation:
Simple
Avoid being stuffy or too formal – think of having a conversation with the person you are thanking (expert tip – consider recording a message of your thanks and transcribe that in your handwritten note)
Sincere
Base your appreciation in truth – focus on the behaviors that are beneficial to the team or the business and in alignment with your organization’s values or you’ll risk sounding insincere
Specific
Be specific – share relevant details so the recipient knows you are paying attention
Swift
If the praise is related to a specific action, send it immediately – if the praise is more general, the timing isn’t as critical
And about that swift pillar…Do you owe someone a thank you? If so, you’re not alone — and it’s never too late!
A Culture of Gratitude
When your organization culture is based on respect and gratitude, appreciation is easy because it’s stitched into the fabric of the culture. To learn more about how gratitude is the foundation of successful cultures of appreciation and how amazingly easy it is to nurture workplace gratitude, download our free eBook, “Transform Your Workplace with Gratitude”.
For additional employee thank you ideas and ways to maintain a thank you culture, download our Day-to-Day Employee Appreciation Calendar. Updated annually with helpful “don’t miss celebrations” and “excellent employee thank you ideas,” this popular resource is filled with current thinking on how best to build a workplace of gratitude and appreciation.
Download Your Free Day-to-Day Employee Celebration Calendar Now!
Learn More About gThankYou Certificates and Vouchers:
- Check out our Home Page
- See all our Gift Certificate Choices
- Learn more About gThankYou and FAQs
- See our FREE customizable Gratitude cards
- Reach us at 888-484-1658 or via info@gthankyou.com
Top Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
Photo by Rebeca Alvidrez on Unsplash
