Employee Recognitions – 63 No-Cost & Low-Cost Suggestions

Employee Recognitions – 63 No-Cost & Low-Cost Suggestions

By Ed Rigsbee

Simply throwing money at a challenge, especially in difficult economic times, is generally not your best bet. You can however, put a little energy into a challenge and the result will usually serve you well. What organization can honestly state that they have no employee challenges?

Every business leader must excel at motivating their employees. Recognition is the Number One key, and you do not have to pay a fortune to accomplish it. Below are listed several employee recognitions suggested to me by employees themselves. These were gleaned from my seminars delivered across North America.

1. A desk or workstation visit from the president. The value of this recognition, for the one receiving it is the proving that they matter as an individual.

2. E-mail from the president; while not as attention getting as above, it still makes the point that the employee matters.

3. Private lunch with the president or other executive.

4. Hosting an afternoon birthday celebration, on company time, with cake, coffee and other goodies offers a refreshing break from normal to the birthday person and everyone else.

5. Notice to all employees of an employee's special performance–if done correctly animosity from others can be avoided and praise can rain upon the deserving individual.

6. Letter of recognition in employee's permanent file is always a nice touch. Just remember to copy the employee so they know the letter was written.

7. Have a "Highlighting Employee" section in company newsletter. The more employees get to know one another the stronger the team bond. This idea helps everyone in your organization.

8. "Job Well Done" pens can easily be handed out and if they are of a reasonable quality will be used daily–a daily reminder that the employee is appreciated.

9. A company logo coffee cup, when given as a recognition for performance positions that employee's mind in such a way that they feel special for having the mug.

10. Attaboy or Attagirl stickers can be an easy and fun method of thanking employees on a frequent basis and can be metaphorical notches on their gun handles showing continued performance.

11. Paid time off is frequently used by the military because they do not have much else to offer. While sometimes considered too large of a recognition in the business sectors, this is still a very effective recognition.

12. Recognition at meeting can sometimes embarrass an individual but done tastefully is a very effective motivator for many.

13. Flowers from manager's home garden is an idea that shows giving of one's self–much more than the giving of company promotional products.

14. A company T-shirt that cannot be bought but only earned is an excellent regognition.

15. A birthday card mailed to employee's home is easily executable today. While the process can be automated, it still reminds the employee that they matter. Ass a small sum gift card and you'll do even better.

16. A new title is always refreshing for an employee if also joined with new business cards, responsibilities, and opportunities.

17. Balloons can be festive, fun, and easy. Balloon bouquets are especially a nice change from flowers.

18. Gift certificates to local restaurants, theaters, and other entertainment activities are always appreciated by employees.

19. Offering flex time for employees that have proven themselves can go a long way to helping them feel appreciated.

20. A special parking space for a day, week, month, or longer can be a great recognition.

21. Offering private verbal praise can sometimes be the best for folks that are shy and are uncomfortable being recognized in public.

22. Pass-on things like a button or small desk trophy can be something that offers continual value be allowing colleague-driven recognition. The item should state, "Job well Done!," "Star Performer,"or "Special Effort".

23. A team potluck celebration gives everyone the opportunity to be involved and feel inclusive and offers a nice break from routine.

24. Choice of work assignments is an effective option for many employees to feel special.

25. Certificates of Appreciation and other printed awards, while "old school" can still be used effectively to recognize one's effort.

26. When a manager, supervisor, or executive bakes cookies for an employee, that really exhibits personal appreciation and giving.

27. Encourage your team to create a team congratulatory song and be the head cheerleader when appropriate.

28. Letting an employee select the workplace radio station for a week can be huge for some, especially the younger ones that hate elevator music.

29. Receiving a "Come in late/get off early" card is an excellent recognition that can be banked for a time when really needed.

30. Getting the workplace recycled soda cans for a month might only be a few bucks but can still be a great way of showing appreciation to a minimum wage employee.

31. A handshake and sincere, "Thank you" will go a long way to show your appreciation, use this frequently.

32. Specialty advertising items with company logo that can only be earned and not purchased are excellent tokens of appreciation.

33. Allowing an employee to be "Boss for a day" and switching jobs with them can go a long way toward workplace harmony and productivity acceleration.

34. Shipping a care package to the spouse or children of employee is amazing because the family gets a surprise and in on the benefit of the recognition and goes a long way to help when that same employee has to put in overtime or otherwise be away from the family.

35. Sending a letter about employee's accomplishments to their family is similar to the above.

36. The boss washing an employee's car–and then get it up on YouTube–how cool is that?

37. Food: all-day suckers, pizza, donuts or maybe even something healthy is always appreciated by employees.

38. "Get Out of Meeting" card is another twist on the come in late card.

39. Free vending machine privileges for the week, to some, can be considered a huge recognition.

40. Lotto tickets are fun, especially in meetings and other gatherings.

41. Gold star on desk might be old, bet it still works.

42. Facial, pedicure, or massage to some is like "time in heaven" and hugely appreciated.

43. Cater breakfast at employee's desk can be very special.

44. Hosting an employee party at an owner or executive's home is another method of giving to employees; beyond the work environment–it's giving of yourself.

45. "We'll do it Your Way Today" card is a lesser twist on "Boss for the day" yet still an effective recognition.

46. Getting an employee a new work took; software, special keyboard, new chair, etc. can be a very powerful acknowledgment of their efforts.

47. Getting a notice about employee accomplishments in local newspaper, even if a purchased ad, can be huge to many.

48. Offering additional responsibilities to some individuals shows them that they are growing within the organization and can be very motivating.

49. Guaranteed quiet/thinking time is something that few employees enjoy and is frequently a stellar recognition that offers continued value.

50. Any time you include an employee in decision-making you remind them of their value to the organization.

51. While decorating the office for holidays is a recognition to all, it moves some more than others and helps in developing collegiality in the workplace.

52. Supplying lunch or dinner at long meetings and training classes is always a reminder that the employer cares.

53. Listening to an employee can be powerful, beyond imagination–try it.

54. Offering encouragement, especially when really needed yields long-term benefit that is not always apparent.

55. Allowing an employee to attend a seminar of their choice not only helps them gain new skills frequently necessary for an organization to succeed, and is a great reminder that the employee is valued by management.

56. A specialty area diploma for an employee, signed by department head and division executive or president can be a reminder of achievement and motivation for others to also perform.

57. Tank of gasoline for employee's car is always appreciated.

58. Allowing the staff member to sit in or chair the monthly management meeting can be a refreshing break from the daily monotony and remind them that they are appreciated.

59. An afternoon off for shopping, along with a gift card to a particular department store or big box store can be a prized award.

60. A company logo embroidered jacket or sweatshirt, only available as a recognition can be a daily reminder of their accomplishments during the colder months when they will frequently wear the garment.

61. A digital record of a particular project or job in which the employee exhibited outstanding success, by some, can be treasured like a family photo album.

62. Posting a notice about employee accomplishments in the company's web site can be very meaningful for many.

63. Make your employee look good in front of his/her spouse/significant other; you'll have won a large amount of loyalty.

You have read about many ideas for recognition. Remember though that it is important to match the correct recognition with the employee's personality. You have to recognize them in the manner that they prefer. One recognition does not fit all. As a parting shot, might I suggest that cash recognitions are not the best idea. When you give your employees cash, it is gone in no time and forgotten just as fast. The best recognitions are the ones that last, or at least have a lasting memory. As you are giving out recognitions, be sure to reward the behavior that you want repeated.