Employee Appreciation - A Little Gratitude Goes a Long Way
By: Regina Dyerly, SHRBP, PHR | Chief Operations Officer (COO)
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in February 2023 and has been updated for 2025 with fresh ideas and new insights on creating meaningful employee appreciation.
With Employee Appreciation Day coming up on March 7, 2025, it’s a great reminder to ask: How do we show our employees they are valued, not just today, but all year long?
We know that meaningful appreciation isn’t about big budgets, it’s about authenticity, consistency, and knowing what truly matters to your team. And in a time when employee expectations have shifted, a generic "thank you" or a pizza party won’t cut it.
So, what can employers actually do to show appreciation in ways that resonate, engage, and build a strong workplace culture, without breaking the bank?
Why Employee Appreciation Matters More Than Ever
A company's success is built on its employees. Engaged employees drive innovation, retention, and customer satisfaction. Studies show that businesses with high employee engagement outperform competitors by over 200% and experience lower turnover, higher productivity, and stronger customer relationships.
Yet, recognition remains a challenge:
79% of employees departing an organization have not been recognized in the past 6 months (Achievers Data Science). Additionally, 44% of employees report that being valued for their individual contributions is the biggest driver of belonging at work (Deloitte, May 2020 Article on Belonging Research).
But here’s the key: Engagement doesn’t come from a once-a-year "thank you" it comes from a culture that prioritizes recognition and respect every day.
At the heart of this? Two fundamental questions that matter to every employee:
Do I matter?
Does my work matter?
When employees can answer "yes" to these questions, they feel seen, valued, and motivated to contribute their best.
Moving Beyond Generic Appreciation: What Actually Works
Appreciation doesn’t have to be expensive; it just has to be intentional. Here are some impactful ways to recognize your employees in meaningful ways:
1. Personalized Acknowledgment from Leadership
Employees often hear from direct managers, but recognition from senior leadership can make a bigger impact.
Try This:
Have the CEO or department head send a personal email or handwritten note recognizing an employee’s contributions.
Host a one-on-one coffee chat with leadership where employees can share career goals, challenges, or feedback in an informal setting. This can also work well remotely.
Utilize recognition software to make it easy to acknowledge team members. At Vida HR, we have our core values embedded in our platform, making it even easier to celebrate contributions that align with our company culture.
Example: A simple addition could be implementing a quarterly “Leadership Shout-Out” program where executives highlight standout employees in an all-company email—without tying it to metrics, just pure appreciation.
This approach helps employees feel that they personally matter to the organization.
2. Give Employees a Voice in Something That Matters
Employees feel the most valued when they see their opinions shape the workplace.
Try This:
Let employees nominate changes they’d like to see—whether it’s a small policy tweak, process improvement, or workplace initiative.
Rotate employee-led discussion topics in team meetings so they get to drive meaningful conversations.
Example: At a previous employer, we had a Culture Committee that focused on small changes and events to improve workplace engagement. This committee allowed employees to pitch ideas for enhancements—whether it was team-building activities, office improvements, or process efficiencies—that leadership actively considered and implemented.
When employees see their input implemented, they know their voices and their work matter.
3. Give Time Instead of Trinkets
Sometimes, the best appreciation is respecting employees’ time.
Try This:
Surprise employees with an “Hour Back”—cancel a non-essential meeting or send them home early without asking.
Dedicate one afternoon to uninterrupted work time with no meetings or emails—just focused productivity.
Example: Here at Vida HR, we have implemented "No Meeting Fridays." On these days, we refrain from scheduling internal meetings, giving employees an entire day to focus on their tasks, projects, and priorities. This is an excellent opportunity to complete to-do lists, plan for the upcoming week, or simply appreciate not having back-to-back meetings. Additionally, client meetings are only scheduled on Fridays if absolutely necessary. Employees have found this initiative to be a meaningful way to improve focus and reduce burnout.
Time is a precious commodity, and giving it back shows you value your team’s well-being.
4. Recognize Effort, Not Just Outcomes
Recognition often goes to those who hit big goals, but what about those who keep things running behind the scenes?
Try This:
Recognize team players who consistently support others, drive collaboration, or mentor new employees.
Create an informal “Above & Beyond” list where team members can submit shout-outs for those who go the extra mile.
Example: At Vida HR, we host an Annual Awards Night where employees vote on 12 different awards with meaningful reasons, ensuring it is not just a popularity contest. One specific award, the "Behind the Scenes Wonder," recognizes those whose work isn’t always seen but is critical to the team’s success. This ensures that every contribution is valued, even if it is not in the spotlight.
This ensures people know their contributions matter, even if they do not come with fanfare.
5. Appreciation That Supports Growth
Employees want to feel valued not just for what they do, but for their potential.
Try This:
Encourage employees to set personal or professional development goals and provide support where possible.
Offer cross-training opportunities so employees can learn different aspects of the business.
Recognize employees who take the initiative to develop new skills or enhance their expertise.
Example: A small business can create mentorship moments where senior employees share insights with newer team members. Even informal recognition of skill-building efforts can reinforce the message: "We appreciate your contributions today, and we support your growth for the future."
Building a Culture of Appreciation Beyond One Day
Employee Appreciation Day is a great start—but the best workplaces do not stop there. Recognition should be ongoing, authentic, and woven into company culture.
How to Make Employee Appreciation Last Year-Round:
Start every team meeting with a quick recognition moment.
Make “thank you” part of your leadership language.
Encourage employees to appreciate each other (and make it easy to do!).
Create traditions around appreciation, not just one-time events.
When employees feel like they and their work genuinely matter, engagement and morale naturally follow. The best appreciation is not about cost—it is about consistency, authenticity, and making employees feel valued beyond their output.
So, this March 7th, take a moment to celebrate your team in a way that sticks.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in February 2023 and has been updated for 2025 with fresh ideas and new insights on creating meaningful employee appreciation.
Employee Appreciation - A Little Gratitude Goes a Long Way
Comments