Top 4 Ways to Say Thank You to Your Employees

The best employers recognize the value in rewarding their staff. Professionals always strive to do their best, but there’s something to be said for issuing praise and letting your employees know that you appreciate their efforts. There are so many ways to express your gratitude, from simply saying “thank you” in a sincere manner to presenting them with a thoughtful token of your appreciation.

But what’s the best way to do that? There are hundreds of appropriate gifts for employees available, and there are just as many gestures that you might consider as a way of expressing how you feel. While there’s always use for a gift card to a local restaurant or coffee shop, there are other creative ways to recognize your staff members for everything that they do. Here are a few options to consider.

Organize a Fun Outing

Company retreats and team-building events aren’t always met with enthusiasm, but you can easily arrange something with the specific intent of saying “thank you” in grand style to your hard-working team. The key is to show them that you are genuinely pleased with everything that they’ve accomplished and that those achievements don’t go unnoticed by you.

Do some research to figure out what the best option for those on the team might be. If you lead a particularly active team, you might organize a hike at a nearby park and stop for lunch at a restaurant on the way back. If you work with a philanthropic team committed to charitable causes, then you can almost guarantee they’ll love the idea of participating in a day devoted to volunteering. Not only is this a selfless way to give back, but it also provides a direct connection to the community. You could even surprise everyone in the group with embroidered work shirts, which fosters a sense of teamwork.

Give Them a Surprise

When you make it a point to really focus on employees' contributions to the company, they’ll undoubtedly feel a sense of pride — and will continue to perform to that level and deliver the types of results that contribute to a positive atmosphere and continuous success.

Whether you’re rewarding a single team member for sealing a major contract or the entire team for their work, you can’t go wrong with an unexpected surprise. You don’t have to be too elaborate — it’s often the small gestures that are the most well-received! For example, you could tuck a gift card to a nearby café into a custom company mug. These are the types of items that they can use right away, which is another important point to keep in mind when seeking the right types of “thank you” gifts for your staff.

Fill up a Bag with Goodies

A little bit of company swag is always a welcome surprise, too. Granted, this is also an easy way to promote your company, especially if you give them a T-shirt with the brand’s logo or a backpack emblazoned with company embroidery. You can make this easy by filling up a custom logo work tote with a few items.

Think about what your employees need. A few items for their desk, like a couple of pens and a handsome leather padfolio or a notebook, are always great choices that you can trust will be put to good use. You might tuck a water bottle customized with the company’s logo inside if you want to provide them with something that they can use both inside and outside of the office.

Make It Personal

Whether you’re giving a custom company hat, a gift certificate to a spa or salon, or catered lunch, don’t forget to express your gratitude both verbally and in writing. The point is to share your appreciation of everything that your employees have achieved, so your sentiment will be even more memorable.

Consider placing a “thank you” card inside a tote bag, for example, and personalize your message with a friendly expression of gratitude. If you’re rewarding an entire team, you may want to make a speech recognizing each person individually for their contributions. Did someone do something specifically noteworthy? Did the group design an incredible website that’s elevated your traffic? Is there a new marketing campaign that’s translating into big sales? Make sure to call out the success. That’s key to showing your employees how much you appreciate them!