5 Employee Rewards for Peak Performance

At Voucher Express, we know that recognising your staff & showing your appreciation with employee rewards is crucial for maintaining a positive workplace culture and boosting overall morale. Research by Reward Gateway has found that 91% of HR workers in the UK agree that recognition and rewards have a positive effect on employee retention, highlighting that employee rewarding can make more of an impact than you might think.¹

If you’d like to introduce employee rewards to your business but don’t know where to start, we’re going to explore the types of rewards you can implement to celebrate your employees and their outstanding work. Of course, we couldn’t mention corporate rewards without a special focus on the effectiveness of Gift Cards in the workplace. Keep reading for ideas and inspiration for employee rewarding from Voucher Express.

1. Personalised Recognition

A meaningful way to reward employees is through personalised recognition. Whether your catering for a small or large workforce, take the time to understand each individual or team’s preferences, hobbies, or interests. A common misconception about Gift Cards is that they can be impersonal, but they are actually a great way to show that you know and care about your staff.

When handing out Gift Cards for occasions such as International Women’s Day, Easter or Work Anniversaries, this is an opportunity to choose brands or experiences that align with your employee’s personal tastes. Discover a diverse array of choices from B&Q Gift Cards catering to DIY enthusiasts, Restaurant Gift Cards for the food connoisseurs among your team, to the versatile Inspire Gift Card—perfect for staycations, city breaks, or globetrotting adventures. This personal touch demonstrates that you value each employee as an individual, making the recognition more memorable and meaningful.

2. Peer-to-Peer Recognition Programmes

Giving props to your colleagues can be done by publicly appreciating each other for the help, skills, and hard work that they bring to the team. Implementing a peer-to-peer recognition program is a powerful type of workplace reward that helps create a positive and collaborative work environment. Encourage employees to acknowledge their colleagues’ achievements whether they helped to bring in new business, found a fresh approach to tasks or are simply just great at their job. As part of the recognition, you could provide them with a platform to give shout-outs, where they share success stories. You could also consider distributing a Gift Card to the employees being recognised. This reward voucher may not only motivate your valued employee, but it also encourages a culture of appreciation within the entire team. Take a look at our selection of Gift Cards that you can share with your team and get your peer-to-peer recognition programme started!

3. Recognition in Meetings

We’ve touched on the importance of peer-to-peer recognition, let’s now delve into the realm of business-to-employee recognition. Publicly recognising employees during team or company-wide meetings adds an extra layer of appreciation. By highlighting your employee’s achievements in the presence of their colleagues and leadership figures, you’re contributing to boosting their morale for work. This idea is reinforced through a survey by Wildgoose which found that 40% of employees became less productive due to a lack of recognition.²

Accompany this shout-out with reward vouchers that will leave a lasting impact and turn a routine acknowledgement of good work into a thoughtful experience. Make your gesture more meaningful by choosing a Gift Card that aligns with your employees’ hobbies and interests. Plus, who wouldn’t love receiving a surprise Gift Card?

4. Team-Building Experiences

Team-building exercises are one of our favourite types of workplace rewards. Rewarding an entire team for achieving exceptional results throughout the year is a great way to promote collaboration and teamwork. Instead of individual Gift Cards, why not consider organising team-building experiences? They provide an opportunity for your team to collaborate in a more relaxed environment with the hopes of improving relationships within the team.

Voucher Express offers Gift Cards for experiences such as a weekend away with Airbnb, a day out at one of the National Trust’s preserved locations, or a fun outdoor activity with Leisure Vouchers. These shared experiences can be held once or twice a year with the goal of strengthening team bonds, encouraging friendships, and providing employees with lasting memories that go beyond the typical monetary reward.

5. Flexibility with Gift Cards

With four in ten companies returning to the traditional set-up of five days in the workplace, hybrid and remote working seems to be here to stay for the time being.³ Our priority is to ensure every one of your team members feels included, whether they’re working on-site or remotely. To maximise flexibility with our corporate incentive Gift Cards, we provide the choice of purchasing both physical and digital eGift Cards, catering to your all staff.

One of the key advantages of Gift Cards is their versatility. This not only enhances employee satisfaction but also aligns with the diverse needs of different industries. In February 2024, our data revealed a noteworthy trend: 53% of products ordered from us were digital eGift Cards, while 47% were physical. This split reflects our commitment to meeting the unique preferences of organisations across industries, including Education, Healthcare, and Charities.

We believe that recognising and rewarding employees for their hard work with monetary and non-monetary motivation is essential for maintaining a motivated and engaged workforce. Gift Cards, with their versatility and personalisation options, are a simple yet effective way to show you care about your staff. By incorporating the corporate rewards mentioned above, you can foster a positive workplace culture that values and celebrates the achievements of your employees.

Enquire about Gift Cards for employee rewards today with Voucher Express.

Sources:

Connect to the VEX API to source a wide range of digital content

Utilise the VEX Rewards system to send eGifts directly to your recipients

A multi-choice Gift Card for gifting, incentives, sales & loyalty

VEX Supermarket Gift Card