In employer reward and recognition programs, organizations offer prizes and praise for great work, top performers, anniversaries, or other significant milestones to help their employees feel valued and appreciated.
These expressions of pride and gratitude can result in several positive organizational outcomes, including:
Ultimately, these reward programs work because they improve employee happiness and well-being, which is associated with improvements in the outcomes listed above. That's why, whether they take the form of cash prizes, gift cards to their favorite restaurants, or handwritten thank-you notes, employee reward systems are designed to help employees feel good and be well.
With a general emphasis on employee wellness, it's important to recognize that well-being is multidimensional, including everything from physical health to social and intellectual well-being. Because different rewards enhance different dimensions of wellness, employers must utilize a holistic conception of wellness and offer an array of prizes that cover every aspect of well-being.
Check out the following 24 employee reward ideas, broken down by the area of wellness they support, to supplement your holistic employee rewards and recognition program!
While commonly thought of as the aesthetic of being fit, physical well-being encompasses the smooth running of all biological functions.
Emotional wellness refers to one's ability to react to their circumstances with appropriate and productive emotions that enable them to persist through challenges and appreciate positive developments.
Financial wellness refers to one's financial stability and overall ability to manage their economic life. It can also be defined in terms of how one's financial knowledge and behaviors contribute to their short- and long-term goals.
Moral well-being refers to the degree to which one feels their thoughts, beliefs, and actions are aligned with their values and sense of purpose. This dimension of well-being allows individuals to feel at peace and in harmony with themselves and others.
To be intellectually well is to have mental processes, abilities, desires, and tendencies that help one thrive. When a person is intellectually well, they actively participate in scholastic, cultural, and community activities. They also focus on expanding their knowledge and skills, which leads to a more stimulating and successful life.
Environmental wellness refers to the degree to which the various environments one inhabits (e.g., your home, car, office, etc.) are conducive to their health, happiness, goals, and values.
Wellness-boosting rewards allow employers to recognize employees' work and express their gratitude while providing them with tools and opportunities to enhance their well-being.
When choosing a wellness reward, it's essential to consider each employee's wellness preferences as everyone has unique needs and wants. Handing out a prize for an area of wellness that workers don't require assistance with may do little to motivate employees to continue with their excellent work or increase employee engagement.
As a result, employers must avoid implementing a one-size-fits-all wellness-boosting rewards system and tailor their offerings to their organization's culture and the needs of individual employees. By doing so, they will maximize the value of the well-being rewards, reap the rewards of positive feedback on employee surveys, and ultimately, boost the bottom line of the company as a whole.
Social Well-Being
Someone is socially well to the extent that their social experiences, interactions, relationships, and networks help them cultivate a sense of belonging and support their overall health, happiness, and goals.
Rewards For Boosting Social Well-Being