10 Creative employee reward ideas

The best way to earn your employees’ loyalty and satisfaction is to show them you care. Beyond giving verbal praise or shoutouts on the group channel, consider implementing an employee reward program. It’s one of the most effective ways to boost motivation and retain top talent.

Welcome the new year with this curated list of 10 creative employee reward ideas for your business. Below, we’ve also included some of the best digital tools available to help you bring these ideas to life.

Why is it important to reward employees?

At the heart of every business is its employees. Your teams are the backbone of the company’s success, handling everything from answering calls to scouting partnerships and meeting weekly targets. So as their manager, you want them to feel valued and cared for. Rewarding employees is a great way to show gratitude for their contributions to the organization. 

Remember, reward and recognition are two different things. Unlike recognition, which is commonly shown through verbal praise and acknowledgment, rewards are concrete. These include monetary incentives designed to celebrate milestones and performance targets.

Employee reward idea #1 - Professional development

We’re kicking off our list of employee reward ideas with a suggestion to invest in your team’s professional development. What better way to express your gratitude than by supporting their career growth?

One of the best ways to advance their careers is to help them hone their skills within the company. Luckily, we found the perfect platform you can use. Meet SC Training (formerly EdApp), the top platform for employee learning, engagement, and recognition. 

From retail to construction, logistics, and hospitality, its extensive Course Library houses 1,000+ free courses (for up to 10 users) that can be taken on any device. Each lesson is broken down into digestible chunks, with practice quizzes sprinkled throughout.

The best part? You’re free to customize the training content however you like. With the intuitive Creator tool, you’ll never have to start designing from scratch. It harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to speed up your creation process. So no coding skills are needed!

Recommended courses:

• Effective E-mail Communication by SC Training
• Food Safety Hazards by SC Training
• Hazard Communication (for Healthcare) by SC Training
• Creating a Positive Customer Experience by SC Training

Turn your employee reward ideas into reality with the best mobile engagement platform!

Employee reward idea #2 - Team lunch

The next idea is to host a team lunch. This is one of the easiest ways to get everyone together and relax during the break. With the company covering the meals, no one will feel left out. Plus, since this happens during the workday, your employees won’t have to give up their weekends.

Meeting outside the workplace eases the atmosphere, allowing your teams to comfortably start conversations. A team lunch also offers networking opportunities for members to get to know each other beyond their roles. Unique development opportunities at work like this foster lasting connections, even as members transition into different positions.

Employee reward idea #3 - Gift cards

Everybody loves receiving things for free. So our next employee reward idea is to distribute gift cards to your employees. Whether retail, restaurant, or subscription-based, these cards are a simple and cost-effective way to show them your appreciation.

Gift cards can also increase motivation and satisfaction with the company. No matter the size of your budget, there will always be a gift card to fit your needs. As they come in physical and digital forms, it’s a flexible option for those working remotely with global teams.

Employee reward idea #4 - Work from home pass

In recent years, companies have adopted a hybrid setup for greater flexibility. Employee engagement statistics reveal the increase in work-from-home (WFH) set up in the US after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whether your company employs a fully onsite or hybrid setup, giving your team a work-from-home pass is a highly valued reward. According to Gallup, a multinational advisory company, six in 10 employees appreciate a hybrid setup. Their top reasons include improved work-life balance, and less fatigue and burnout.

You can reward top performers with a week or two working from home. This change of pace can be refreshing, letting them take a break from reporting to the workplace for a while.

Employee reward idea #5 - Coffee treat

Next on our incentive ideas for employees is a coffee treat. For many, coffee is a go-to morning drink. It fights drowsiness and improves their mood, giving your team an energy boost to power through the day.

You can schedule a quick coffee session with your employees in the morning. This is another opportunity to exchange ideas and share a few laughs outside of work. But if you’re pressed for time, some shops offer vouchers you can give out instead.

Employee reward idea #6 - Virtual game night

Hosting a virtual game night is an exciting way to bring your team together. It’s also cost-efficient, as meeting up at a physical location is unnecessary. This activity can strengthen bonds and enhance communication.

Popular mobile apps for employee engagement like SC Training feature game-based templates that you can use to design your content. These include multiple-choice, jeopardy, and image/word match. You can also reward top performers with Achievements, where you can personalize your badges and banners by adding an image and a short message.

Employee reward idea #7 - Massage service

Another suggestion for employee recognition ideas is to book a massage service. What better way to let your team relax and destress than giving them a free massage onsite? This wellness reward can encourage loyalty and staff retention.

To plan this, contact the nearest business that offers on-site massages for employees. Take the time to carefully discuss the possible options for scheduling, pricing, and discount packages to avoid unnecessary stress on the day.

Employee reward idea #8 - Book of the month

If your team hasn’t set up a dedicated book club yet, this next reward idea can be a great way to get the ball rolling. Reading is a beloved hobby for many, letting them relax and escape to another world.

To implement a book of the month program, simply browse the top five popular novels of the month. You can also tweak this based on genres like classics, fantasy, or nonfiction. Then, allow your employees to pick a title of their choice. This monthly reward idea is a treat for all bookworms!

Employee reward idea #9 - Remote setup equipment

Remote setup equipment is another employee reward idea to consider. This benefits those working in fully remote or hybrid setups the most. You can choose from giving a new mouse, keyboard, WiFI extender, and ergonomic chair. Or, if you have an extra budget, consider rewarding them with a brand-new monitor.

No matter which reward you give, your employees will surely appreciate it. It can boost productivity by reducing the strain and discomfort of using faulty equipment. Additionally, upgrading their software minimizes downtime, helping them stay focused on their work.

Employee reward idea #10 - Personalized gifts

Last on our list of employee reward ideas is personalized gifts. This is a thoughtful way to show your appreciation to the team. Common gifts include keychains, magnets, or organizers. The possibilities here are endless, so it’s up to you to decide! A bonus tip would be to gift them practical items they can use for work.

Fortunately, plenty of small businesses sell personalized items for a reasonable price. Keep in mind though, that they may take a longer time to deliver. Unlike store-bought items, you have to place your orders in advance.

Turn employee reward ideas into reality with SC Training

Celebrate your employees’ achievements with a reward. Luckily, you don’t have to do all the heavy lifting. Whether your team is made up of frontline or desk workers, SC Training's flexible software can meet your needs.

Its Create With AI is a game-changer across industries. This digital tool transforms your ideas into an interactive course for your team to enjoy. Simply enter a prompt into the text box or upload up to six images for inspiration. It’ll whip up a ready-made course for you in seconds.

On top of giving away badges, you can also recognize your high-performing members with certificates. Add in your company name and logo for a personalized touch. This can be shared on popular social media sites like LinkedIn to boost engagement.

Start using the best mobile LMS to develop your employee reward ideas. Join SC Training today!